Music Notes

HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL

An immense thank you to all students, staff and families for your work and support of the 2019 House Music Festival. The Solos, Instrumental Ensembles, Chamber Choirs, House Choirs and Orchestras were all amazing. All of this was due to the diligence and dedication of the House Music Captains and their team.

The Robert Blackwood Hall was the perfect venue for the Final Evening which was a wonderful celebration of the school’s musicians, their talents and hard work. 

MUSIC LESSONS AND INSTRUMENTAL PROGRAM

Music lessons are well and truly up and running and we have many students across Junior and Senior School learning woodwind, brass, strings, piano and singing.

PERCUSSION WORKSHOP

On Monday 1 April, many students from Years 5-10 interested in learning more about playing a percussion instrument attended a lunchtime demonstration.

Mr Steve Falk showed the students the vast array of possibilities available to a percussionist as well as some of the incredible skills that a percussionist learns.

The Music Department will offer percussion lessons in the near future. We recommend that students who are keen to be part of an ensemble playing any of the following: timpani (kettle drums), xylophone, glockenspiel, vibraphone, marimba, snare drum, bass drum, auxiliary percussion (triangle, maracas etc) should consider taking up lessons.

In addition to bands and orchestras, we plan on developing a Percussion Ensemble which in the future will ‘set the music world on fire’! This will be as a brilliant option for piano players and a way of getting involved in an ensemble. These are exciting times.

If your child is interested in percussion lessons, an instrument tuition form is attached to this newsletter which should be completed and returned to the Music Administrator (Vivienne Perry – Room MU8 or email vperry@huntingtower.vic.edu.au). There are many great opportunities for students to be a part of this fabulous Music Department, so come along and give it a go!

INTRODUCING THE MUSIC CAPTAINS FOR 2019

CHOIR – Shivani Mahendran and Emma Russell

ORCHESTRA – Kathryn Bourozikas, Cynthia Ge and Diana Jiang

CONCERT BAND – Tomi Byrnes, Ronald Liao and Vivian Zhang

We are looking forward to presenting some wonderful concerts, participating in various community events and dividing into smaller ensembles for eisteddfods and festivals this year.

ENSEMBLES AND CONCERTS

Music ensembles are now rehearsing and we are busily preparing for the Annual School Concerts (Junior and Senior School) to be held in Term 2. More details to come in Term 2.

JUNIOR SCHOOL CONCERT   -    Thursday 6 June       Time to be confirmed

SENIOR ANNUAL CONCERT   -   Thursday 20 June     7.30 pm

SCHOOL MUSICALS

Auditions for the Junior Production Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and the Senior Production Godspell are well underway and lead roles will be announced early in Term 2.

Mrs Major-Gough has done a wonderful job in auditioning for the Junior School. She is looking forward to involving all her classes in JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, and most magical and fun musical.

Performances: 11 & 12 September

Lead role auditions for ‘GODSPELL’ will be completed at the end of this term and will be announced early in Term 2 after ‘call backs’. 

Students wishing to be a part of the Chorus are guaranteed a place but still must attend a group audition. They do not need to prepare for this as everything will be learned at the audition.

Chorus Auditions for Godspell will take place at lunchtimes and during Period 6 during the first week of Term 2. Performances: 6, 8, 9, & 10 AUGUST

MUSIC THEORY

Classes have commenced on Monday afternoons for Music Theory.

• Period 6 – Years 7, 10, 11, 12
• 4.15 – 5.00 pm – Years 8 and 9

We have had an excellent response, but it’s never too late to start. AMEB requires a certain level of Theory for the higher grades so that a student can receive their practical certificate.

You can enrol in Music Theory using the Music Enrolment Form.

RECITALS

Instrumental/Singing Recitals will occur throughout Term 2 and 3.

Students who learn both in and outside of Huntingtower are welcome to perform. The Music Department will liaise with music staff and email parents so that we can ensure that your child will have an opportunity to perform should they wish.

Information and dates to be announced soon.

HIRING A SCHOOL INSTRUMENT?

If you are hiring a school instrument, please ensure your child visits Miss Vivienne Perry in MU8 before or after their music lesson as we are in the process of updating and checking off the inventory of hire instruments. We would appreciate your help in making sure that all students who are hiring are on our system.