Music

Gearing up for Generations in Jazz  

With thousands of students from across Victoria and a huge, dedicated venue south of Mount Gambier at the Barn Palais, under the biggest big top, you will see this side of the Bolte Bridge; what is this exciting generation in the Jazz festival?  

It’s a number of competitions running simultaneously and a series of concerts from some of the best professional jazz musicians and jazz groups from around Australia and the world.  The concert features a range of jazz styles from the traditional to cutting-edge fusion and, in past years, has included Rock-Fusion bands, jazz legends, all-star big bands, and even full symphony orchestras.  Some highlights that we have encountered in past years include vocal group, The Idea of North and The Cat Empire. The competitions are divided into two main categories: Stage Bands and Vocal Ensembles.  The weekend also includes the James Morrison Scholarship performances featuring advanced Secondary School and Tertiary age musicians.    

A stage band, also known as a big band or swing band is a standard line up of five saxophones (two altos, two tenors and one baritone), four trombones, four trumpets (maybe five) and a rhythm section of piano, guitar, bass, drums, vibraphone, and congas/bongos.  Whilst this is the standard stage band set-up many variations occur, and the competition also caters for smaller and more varied line-ups in what is called a ‘jazz combo’ section.  Each band plays three charts: a set piece, a ballad, and an own choice. The vocal sections are divided into large and small groups with each singing a set song and own choice.  

This festival will be an extraordinary opportunity for our students to get it amongst with like-minded music students. 

Mr Benjamin Hiscock          BHiscock@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au  

Director of Music 

Mrs Nichole Atchison           music@hamiltoncollege.vic.edu.au  

Music Administrator