Music at DCC

Our Music Department has had an incredibly vibrant and productive start to the year, with hundreds of students involved in rehearsals, ensembles, lessons, and upcoming performance preparations.

Congratulations to Gia Dredge (Year 12) for winning the Anne G Felstead Scholarship in performance Excellence (ANZCA).

This scholarship is given to the student with the highest aggregate score for Grades 4, 5 and 6 in Australia and Asia.

Gia is a stunning musician and has worked hard for this honour!

A Strong Start to Ensemble Rehearsals

This term saw the Open Rehearsal for the Junior Concert Band, giving families a wonderful opportunity to see the enthusiasm and talent developing in our young musicians. Alongside this, both the Training Band (IBP) and Foundation Strings (SIP) commenced their programs with great energy.

Preparing for Generations in Jazz

Excitement is building as students prepare for the renowned Generations in Jazz festival. Rehearsals are well underway, and our jazz ensembles are working hard as they get ready for this inspiring national event. We also look forward to our Jazz Soirée, where students will showcase their progress in an intimate performance setting.

Performances Across the School

A series of Lunchbox Concerts has brought music to the middle of the school day, allowing students to perform in a supportive, relaxed environment. These concerts continue to grow in popularity and give students valuable performing experience.

Instrumental Lessons & Ensemble Participation

This year, an impressive 550 students are taking instrumental lessons, demonstrating the strength and enthusiasm within our music community. In addition, we have 704 ensemble participants across more than 30 ensembles, with 240 students involved in more than one group—a fantastic display of commitment.

Exams & Specialist Projects

Many of our students are already preparing for their AMEB and ANZCA music exams, showing dedication and focus early in the year. Some of our senior students are also working behind the scenes, preparing music for the upcoming Shrek Orchestra, which promises to be an exciting production.

Looking Ahead to Term 2

Next term is shaping up to be just as exciting, with major events on the horizon:

• Generations in Jazz
• Celebration of Sound: Large Ensembles Concert
• VCE Music Recital, contributing to Semester 1 assessment

These events will provide wonderful opportunities for students to grow as musicians and share their achievements with the school community.