Music
Request for Volunteers for May Mid Year Concerts
We’re seeking volunteers to help support the Eltham High School Mid Year Concerts coming up on the evenings of Monday 25 May and Wednesday 27 May. Each role requires only a few hours, but makes a big difference in ensuring the events run smoothly and helps to raise vital funds for our school's Instrumental Music Program. Roles include coordinating car parking, ushering and selling raffle tickets. Volunteers are also welcome to purchase a ticket to watch the concert when not otherwise fulfilling volunteer duties.
Please sign up at:
Monday 25 May 2026 –
https://volunteersignup.org/WRBMR
Wednesday 27 May 2026 –
https://volunteersignup.org/L979D
Thank you in advance for your support - it’s truly appreciated! Full role instructions will be emailed to each volunteer in the week prior to the concert. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email 7805-FOM@schools.vic.edu.au.-
Current Mid Year Concert Schedule (subject to change)
Monday 25 May:
- Symphonic Band
- Concert Band
- Training Strings
- String Orchestra
- ChoirJazz Band
- Stage Band
Wednesday 27 May:
- Symphonic Band
- Wind Ensemble
- Training Band
- VCE Performance
- Big Band
- Chamber Strings
Request for Mid Year Concert Raffle Prizes
We are requesting donations for prizes for our Mid Year Music Concerts (on Monday 25 May and Wednesday 27 May) from Eltham High School families, or contacts or associated businesses.
Each year these raffles raise much needed funds for the Music Program to purchase instruments, equipment, music and pay for guest artists. Donations do not have to be large – ideas include a voucher for coffee and cake from a local café, a voucher for a meal at a local restaurant, a giftware or beauty voucher, a grass mowing voucher, or tickets to events. We would like anything that would put a smile on your face if you have a winning ticket. Businesses that contribute will be listed in our program to acknowledge their generous support. Please email any vouchers to Grace Trebley on 7805-music@schools.vic.edu.au, or larger physical prizes can be dropped off at the Music Office if pre-arranged with Grace.
All donations will need to be received by Thursday 21 May. Thank you in advance for your support of our Music Program.
EHS Friends of Music Committee
The Sound of a Century - Eltham High School's Centennary Concert
2026 marks the centenary of Eltham High School, and as part of the celebrations we are celebrating the people who have helped shape the Instrumental and Ensemble Music Program over many years.
One of the key projects for the centenary year is a Centenary Symphonic Band Concert on Wednesday 17 June at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
Please complete this Google Form to indicate your interest by Friday, April 17:
https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSelN1zHkSHpCd.../viewform
If you are in contact with any Eltham High School alumni who have been involved in the Music Program, please encourage them to follow @elthamhs.music for updates.
We hope this concert brings together as many people as possible who have been part of the program over the years. Your support, whether performing or attending, will make this a meaningful celebration of the community that has shaped the program.
Thanks to Eltham Alumni Paige Curtis for this great design work.
Trivia Night: Saturday 9 May
All new and current Eltham High School families are invited to our fully hosted Trivia Night. It's all about connecting with other parents, having some fun and raising funds to support the EHS Music Program. Think laughs, friendly competition and a great night out. No music knowledge required!
What to expect:
• Easy-going general knowledge trivia
• Gold coin games
• Prizes for the winning team
• Hosted by the brilliant Bruce Brewster and Lacey Bloomers
Bring snacks, gold coins and your competitive spirit!
• When: Saturday 9 May 2026, 7:00pm for 7:30pm start
• Where: Eltham Bowls Club, 20-50 Susan Street
• Tickets: $25 per person
Tables seat 8 - you can:
• Book a whole table with friends, or
• Book individual tickets and we’ll seat you with other friendly EHS parents (often families whose children play music together)
Licensed venue: All drinks including soft drinks available at the bar (card only); water provided. You are welcome to bring your own snacks. Please plan safe transport home.
This is a parents’ night out. Under 18s must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Book online at: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1561307
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Eltham High School Friends of Music
New AV System in the Music Rehearsal Room
In December 2013, we visited the United States Air Force Band in Washington. Their rehearsal room featured the Wegner Virtual Acoustic Environment, along with integrated recording and live streaming.
That visit inspired me to create a similar experience at Eltham.
We started in 2016 with an audio recording system allowing us to record and listen back instantly, creating real time feedback from students.
Thanks to Guto Monteiro from Guto Technology Solutions for helping bring this dream to life, adding the final pieces @guto_sound
We can now cast the conductor score so students can follow it live. The system runs from any device and the touch panel. A mounted camera allows staff to record and review conducting straight away. The part I’m most excited about:
- A 30 inch monitor that can replace the music stand when needed.
- Students can then see the full conductor score in real time.
- You can zoom in and focus on specific sections.
- The scale matches an A3 score, which changes how rehearsal works.
Every part of this has been funded through Music Department's fundraising: concert tickets, raffles, bunnings sausage sizzles. 12 years of putting money aside made this possible. Thank you to everyone who contributed to bringing this dream to life.
Eltham High School's Jazz Evening
Eltham High School Jazz Evening on 24 April was a great snapshot of the growth of the big band program. Over the past six years, we have rebuilt the program with a clear focus on culture, process, and what consistently works in strong ensemble environments. The focus has been on how outstanding Big Band programs operate, how standards are set and maintained, and how students develop through consistent rehearsal habits over time.
Keep building the culture
Keep raising the standard
Keep refining the process so each performance is the next clear step forward.
Our current Year 12 group are our COVID babies, who began in 2021 with little sense of what an ensemble program could look like. Each year, they have deepened their commitment, dreamed big, and taken greater ownership of the music and the program.
That growth comes from many people who have invested time and energy in the program.
I want to acknowledge Jordan Murray, Brent Mills, Peter Foley, and Rob Chenoweth for their ongoing work and support in shaping the Program’s direction and our students’ understanding of ensemble culture.
Thank you as well to the tutors at our February workshop weekend: Jared Becker, Adam Mason, Paul Monaghan, Darryn Farrugia, Joe O’Connor, Elliot Lamb, Flora Carbo, and Dan Gordon.
We have also been fortunate to welcome many outstanding musicians and educators who have worked directly with our students over the past six years: Mat Jodrell, Carl Mackey, Ross Irwin, Isaac Gunnoo, Maddison Carter, Stella Anning, Sonja Horbelt, Nick Mulder, Jon Hunt, Bailey Hume, Hugh Harvey, Craig Fermanis, Ollie Schute, Tamara Murphy, Blakely McLean Davies, and Tom Lee have all contributed meaningfully to raising expectations and broadening what our students hear and aspire to.
We have also had the opportunity to work alongside leading big band programs at Marryatville High School, Blackburn High School, Christian College, and Caulfield Grammar, which has been so inspiring.
Last night’s Stage Band performance really showed how far they have come. It’s exciting to see them move a few steps beyond where they were at this time last year.
RICK KEENAN Director of Music