MSC Music News
MUSIC NEWS
It has been a great start to the term in Music. Our beginner players are well and truly settled attending lessons and rehearsals. Its great to see them making progress learning new notes and rhythms on their chosen instrument. Junior concert band rehearsals have been well attended. All players are experiencing playing in a section for the first time. We have learnt how to play simple exercises and melodies. Last week we got to play our first arrangement. I am looking forward to seeing our beginners develop over the coming months.
Classroom music has been lots of fun with students experiencing a wide range of activities. Our keyboard lab is up and running. Students have been learning lots of chords playing pop songs in class. They have been covering basic music theory and have just experienced making their own backing tracks using Incredibox, Groove Pizza and HTML Drum Machine. These are all software programs they can access on their netbooks that allow you to create your own digital music such as hip hop backing tracks. During these sessions all students played their track through the PA system. I must say I was impressed with the creativity in tracks being produced. These sessions were very popular. As a result, we will continue working on these practical sessions throughout the term. All year 8 music classes will now commence working on their instrument research task. Students have been introduced to instruments in the orchestra. They have also had the opportunity to play brass, woodwind, strings and percussion instruments in class. We have a few with natural ability especially on brass and a few that need to work a little harder in producing a sound on the flute but it’s great to see them all have had a go.
Our vocal ensemble Harmonix is going well with all students turning up to rehearsals each week. Its nice to see new faces attend and join in. This is a great sign. Robyn Keane tells me they are learning new songs extending their repertoire. I can hear lots of harmonies and wonderful unison singing throughout the songs. Most importantly the kids are having lots of fun! All students are welcome to join in. Rehearsals take place every Wednesday lunchtime in A7.
Intermediate band is making good progress. Students have been given new arrangements to learn. I am impressed with players being challenged in learning new notes and rhythms. Some students are extending their range. This is a great sign.
2024 Open Night
I would like to take this opportunity in thanking our intermediate band for performing at our recent MSC Open Night. They did a great job entertaining prospective families in the library. A big thank you to Daniel Lear-Barclay on cello who entertained parents and students while touring the Art Building. I also had a great time playing saxophone with Robyn Keane on piano playing various jazz and classical pieces while our families visited the displays. Grade 6 students that visited our music classroom had the opportunity to play the keyboard. This was a great night and I look forward to working with these students at our first transition day.
Our Rock Band rehearses every Tuesday lunchtime in A7. These kids are really enthusiastic. They are: Ebony Dias vocals, Alex Ognew guitar, Darcy Cater guitar, Tara Howell keyboard, Kobe Parson bass guitar and Xade Langshaw drums. They turn up each week as soon as the lunchtime bell goes. While they are still eating their lunch out come their instruments. They are ready to go to take every advantage of rehearsal time. We are currently learning 2 new songs: Paul Kelly’s “To Her Door”, and Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida”. Students have been discussing more songs to learn. Plans are for this group to play a whole set in the future. We look forward to hearing the rock band at our first concert.
East Gippsland Music Festival
This event takes place in the last week of term 2. It involves students in the junior and intermediate concert bands. Our string and vocal students. The festival will take place at Orbost Community College this year. Notices will go out to all students involved by the end of the week.
Instrumental Music Fees
A reminder to all families instrumental music fees are due by the end of week 5. All families will receive a statement via email by the end of the week.
Concert
Plans are to have a concert featuring all ensembles, solos and small group items before the end of term. I am in the process of securing a date and will let all families know via a letter home soon.
On behalf of all instrumental music staff don’t forget to take your instrument home after your lesson and make sure you do lots of practice. Remember “Practice makes perfect”.
Gerry Ciavarella
Instrumental Music Co-ordinator.