Music Matters
NEVR Concert 'Spotlight'
You may have read in the last newsletter that Suki Gui of Year 11 had been selected to perform as a piano soloist at the North East Victorian Region Concert “Spotlight” at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Monday 18th July.
This night celebrated musical excellence in government schools in the NEVR, featuring a number of musical ensembles and soloists from schools across the region along with a guest performance by the RAAF big Band and Student Art works from schools in the region projected onto a screen above the stage between performances.
I had the pleasure of accompanying Suki to this event, as well as enjoying her outstanding performance in this world class venue.
Suki acted professionally during both the sound check and the concert and was an absolute credit to herself and the College. She gave an outstanding performance of The Lark by Glinka with the audience showing their appreciation with what I believe was the loudest applause for the evening. She got the very best out of the grand piano, approaching each note with consideration and showing a full range of dynamics and expression which took the audience on a musical journey.
Congratulations Suki on a fabulous performance!
Wendy Howes
Significant Events Coordinator, Social Connections coordinator - The Arts, VCE Music.
GOLD, GOLD, GOLD!
On Thursday the 28th July, String Orchestra attended the Victorian Schools Music Festival (VSMF) in the Junior Strings Section. This was held at the Hawthorn Arts Centre, a beautifully restored Town Hall that was a delight to perform in.
The VSMF is open to schools all around the state and enables school ensembles to perform in a professional music venue in front of international and Australian adjudicators. They are also able to hear other schools perform and receive a workshop onstage with the Chief Adjudicator after their performance.
This year the Strings Chief Adjudicator was Dr Gail Barnes from the University of South Carolina who gave feedback on a wide range of musicianship categories. String Orchestra performed brilliantly and received an Excellent for most categories and an Outstanding for rhythm and presentation.
This qualified them for a Gold Award! An outstanding achievement in our first performance at the VSMF with a string group for many years.
Congratulations to Ms Hannah Walters and Mr Joshua Verco for preparing them so well to produce such an incredible result. The string program at Doncaster Secondary College is in great hands.
Wind Symphony to perform at the Victorian Schools Music Festival (VSMF) on Tuesday 23rd August
The Wind Symphony will be following in the String Orchestra’s footsteps to the Hawthorn Arts Centre to compete in the Junior Concert Band Section of the VSMF. They have been practicing diligently at home and on Tuesday Mornings before school to prepare for this exciting opportunity.
Their performance will be sometime between 10:00am and 12:30pm and can be streamed live through the Fine Music website link: https://finemusiconline.com.au/content/2022-vsmf
String Soiree
Thursday 8th September
On Thursday the 8th September at 7pm, we will be holding a String Soiree to showcase the talents of the students in our string program. There will be performances by all three of our string ensembles, Stringworks, String Orchestra and String Quartet, as well as solo and small group performances. It will be held in the School Performance Centre and entry will be free.
Spring Concert Date Change to the 6th October
Proving the point that Music students are successful in many different areas, three of our prominent year 9 Music students have been accepted into the Alpine School for Student Leadership. Congratulations to Abbey McDonald, Oliver Dean and Nikola Prodic on this outstanding achievement. They will be attending this camp from Week 2 until Week 10 of term 4.
Because of their important positions in the Music ensembles and because we don’t want them to miss out after all their hard work, we have moved the Spring Concert from October 11 to Thursday October 6th. Please update your calendars and we will let you know as soon as tickets are available for the Musical highlight of the year.
Nick Dean
Music Coordinator
Music Dates for Semester 2
Tuesday 23 August
Wind Symphony at VSMF, Hawthorn Arts Centre, 10am - 12.30pm
Monday 5 September
VCE Soiree
Thursday 8 September
String Soiree
Thursday 6 October
Spring Concert
Tuesday 29 November
Year 7 2023 Instrumental Music Information & Instrument Tryout Evening