JULIAN GRIGOR (1993-1998)
4 December 1998. That was the last time Jules was on the grounds of Hale School. Since then his life has taken many twists and turns - finding him today back at Hale, rehearsing with WASO in the John Inverarity Music and Drama Centre in preparation for a concert in Kings Park!
After a time at UWA studying Law/Arts, Jules is now a well established member of Perth’s indie rock band The Panics. He was invited to join the Panics by a mutual friend and they have gone from strength to strength; touring nationally and internationally. They are well-known in the UK and are looking to record their next album in the US, which is due out at the end of this year.
The band was really rapt to have the chance to perform with WASO.
“Being invited to be part of such an event is a real honour. When we first heard the arrangements of our music put together by WASO it was quite surreal hearing strings and brass instruments playing our melodies. It sounded like the soundtrack for a movie.”
There was no such thing as a Music and Drama Centre when Jules was at Hale. Music for him happened in the Stow Centre. Despite that, 1998 produced a particularly strong group of musical talent and Jules could feel that there was a change in the air for Hale School. John Inverarity was the catalyst for this change. His vision for the school was quite definite and included lifting the profile of the performing arts.
Jules is impressed by the facilities available to today’s students. The auditorium is better than many of the venues he has performed in around the world.
“It is great to see that the Music and Drama facilities here match the quality of the sporting fields and the high academic standards. It’s amazing that boys coming to Hale today have the luxury of being able to pursue whatever their passion may be.”