Music Matters

• Soundworks rehearsals
• ANAZAC Day Services
• Turbo Days
• Music Camp

Soundworks rehearsals have begun!

As mentioned in the last newsletter, all Music ensembles have made an excellent start to the year with lots of new material being learnt. Since then, Soundworks (our beginner Concert Band) have begun their rehearsals after school on Mondays. Mr Muddyman the Soundworks director, has filled the sessions with lots of fun games to help them learn how to set up for a band rehearsal, where to sit and how to play together in time while following a conductor.

If you have started learning a woodwind, brass or percussion instrument this year, you are expected to attend this compulsory rehearsal from 3:30 – 4:30pm every Monday after school. It is a fun way to improve your playing while getting to know all the other awesome kids learning an instrument at school.

Beginner string students will begin their first ensemble experience in Stringworks next term, with rehearsals on Wednesdays at lunchtime. Beginner guitarists should all be in guitar ensemble at lunchtimes on Tuesdays.

ANZAC Day Services

On Tuesday 23rd April, Wind Symphony will be performing at a special service for schools in the Manningham area. The service is run by Manningham Rotary and will be held at 12-1pm at Templestowe Memorial Reserve, Cnr Foote and High Street. Wind Symphony will be playing the National Anthems of both Australia and New Zealand as well as the Hymn Oh God, Our Help In Ages Past.

Last year's performance for Manningham Rotary:

On ANZAC Day 25th April, Wind Symphony will be performing at the Dawn Service at Doncaster RSL. Students will need to make their own way to the RSL by 5:30am to set up ready for the service at 6am. It will be a marvellous way for students to feel a part of the wider community and connect with the History of the ANZACs.

Turbo Days

On Tuesday 30th April - Soundworks and Wednesday 1st May – Stringworks, will have a day of Music together “Turbo Charging” their learning with fun Music games, sectionals and whole ensemble rehearsals in the Performance Centre. This day helps get the students ready for the extended rehearsals that will happen on Music Camp (see below) and prepare for the Winter Concert.

The day will conclude with a concert to all their Year 7 peers to show off the results of all their hard work.

Music Camp

This year in week 6 from May 20 – 22nd (Monday to Wednesday), we will again be holding the annual Music Camp at Camp Oasis in Mt Evelyn. We will be including the senior ensembles again as there is no Senior Tour running this year. Unfortunately due to space restrictions, Guitar Ensemble will not be involved, however they will have their own “Turbo Day” on the 21st May at school.

Music Camp is always a huge highlight of the year. It is a fantastic way for students of all year levels to get to know each other and for the senior students to mentor the juniors and demonstrate the exciting possibilities of learning an instrument and the amazing music they can be playing in a few short years. It is also a vital way for ensembles to put the finishing touches on their performance pieces for the Winter Concert on the 4th June, as well as to rehearse the combined items for the concert.

With all costs going up, we will have to increase the price this year and will confirm this at the beginning of next term. Every effort has been made to keep costs down so it will still be an excellent value camp at a quality campsite with outstanding facilities. If you have financial difficulties at the moment, please reach out to the main office to arrange a payment plan. We would hate for your child to miss out on this valuable and memorable experience.

The highlight is definitely the food, with a qualified chef catering with hot meals every day that kids and staff rave about every year. I can’t wait 😊

Have a relaxing and safe break and I look forward to seeing everyone at the Winter Concert on Tuesday 4th June.

Upcoming dates for Term 2

• Tuesday 23 April: Rotary Schools ANZAC Ceremony at Templestowe Park – Wind Symphony
• Thursday 25 April: ANZAC Day – Dawn service at Doncaster RSL – Wind Symphony
• Tuesday 30 April: Soundworks
• Wednesday 1 May: Stringworks
• Monday 13 May: DSC Athletics Day Rock Bands performing
• Wednesday 15 May: Senior Ensemble Workshop to prepare Symphony Orchestra piece
• Tuesday 21 May: Guitar Turbo Day
• Monday 20 - Wednesday 22 May: Music Camp
• Wednesday 29 May: NEVR Concert, selected Music students
• Tuesday 4 June: Winter Concert, all ensembles

Nick Dean

Instrumental Music Coordinator