Performing Arts 

2022 Spring Music Concerts – September 7 and  8

It only seems like the other day that we were reflecting on the Winter Music Concert gone by, but it’s already September would you believe it! And so, after a wonderful performance-filled couple of nights, we are left to congratulate all on the last Music Concert of the year – the 2022 Spring Music Concert.

Held across two nights – Wednesday 7 September and Thursday 8 September – this year’s Spring Music Concerts were absolutely jam-packed with a diverse range of marvellous and inspiring musical acts. Concert Band, Swing Band, Jazz Ensemble, NICE Band, String Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, World Music Ensemble, Choir, assorted Duets/Trios, VCE Soloists, you name it – they were all there, and more! As always, the gleaming smiles and rapturous applause time and time again from the audiences across both nights only accentuated the sheer enjoyment and enthusiasm for those on stage, making for an ultimately supportive and inclusive environment for everyone.

Ask anyone and you can be almost certain they’ll tell you what a fabulous concert it was across both nights, with such passionate and creative individuals coming together and performing to their heart’s content. But even more so was made clear the individual and group development that has occurred throughout the year, both musically and personality-wise. For many these concerts have been the perfect opportunity to break outside of comfort zones, grow confidence, develop and refine new skills, and explore the diverse and ever-evolving world of music that is presented to us in the 21st century. And naturally it is very uplifting and inspiring to witness and be part of such development!

Now it’s undoubtedly sad that the Spring Music Concert has been the last Music Concert of the year, but even more so for Keiko and myself having now hosted our last concert as this year’s Music Captains and students at the school. But the experience will forever live on, as I’m sure we can all agree. These Spring Music Concerts are an effort we should all be proud of – each and every one of the musicians, students, staff members, lighting and sound crew, backstage crew, audiences, and us Music Captains.

We would like to extend a massive thank you and a round-of-applause to all who performed in the Music Concerts, of whose names are too numerous to mention in this article – names of those involved in each of the concerts can be found in the accompanying images of the respective programs.

We would also like to thank all involved in the successful execution of each night, including those involved in lighting/sound and backstage whose efforts were most greatly appreciated – Jeremy Ball, Darcey Gifford, Joshua Verco, Ava Booth, Francis Healey, Ronak Sen, Jack Stabek, Keiko Rice.

And a special thank you to all the instrumental teachers and staff involved across each night – David Forward, John Wanner, Sue Cook, Kathryn Rogers, Joshua Verco, Adrian De Luca, Catherine Narayan, Rachael Kane, Curtis Reardon, Peter Martin, Gillian Ross, Helen Galouzis, Gail Munro, Helen Briffa, Penelope Latham, Miriam Saward, Andrew Mangonis, Sarah Mouer, Megan Carnie.

Now as much as I am writing this on behalf of Keiko and myself, I would like to include the following. My biggest thank you and appreciation of course goes out to my fellow Music Captain, Keiko Rice. It’s been a roller-coaster of a year, and being able to host four music concerts, amongst other events, alongside you has been a most delightful and memorable experience… I honestly couldn’t have done it without you!

And so in coming to the conclusion of our article, this leaves us with one last message. Thank you to everyone for your support throughout the year, in particular those involved in the Music Department at Koonung, as we most certainly wouldn’t have been able to run and host events such as the Music Concerts to such a successful standard without your efforts! And as always, we love being around everyone in the bands and music program/department, it’s just such a vibrant, warm and welcoming environment. Thank you!

2022 Spring Music Concerts – September 7 September 8

Written by Jack Stabek & Keiko Rice (Music Captains)