MUSIC NEWS
PAST PERFORMANCES
Congratulations to the Senior Stage Band who began the year at the Big Bands Sunsets Festival in Mordialloc on Saturday 22 February. This was a great opportunity for the students in the band to work towards their developing fantastic sound. It was great to see many parents there supporting their children. Thanks to Mr Serebrianik for developing this group and organising the excursion.
Congratulations to both the Year 8 Strings and Year 8 Band who performed for parents and students at the Year 7 Information evening on Tuesday 3 March. This was a great way to start the performance year.
Congratulations to the school Choir who represented the school at the World Day of Prayer on Friday 6 March at the Bentleigh Temple Society. The standard of performance was quite high and the students were incredibly well received. Thank you to Ms West for developing this group of singers, and to Mr West and Ms Vrisk for accompanying them on this important excursion.
INSTRUMENT
The process of allocating instruments to Year 7 students is now complete. Over the last few weeks, students in Year 7 band forms have had the opportunity to try out a range of instruments to help them make their final selection. It was great to see their willingness to attempt instruments they may never have seen or even heard of before! The sound of flutes, clarinets, oboes, bassoons, trumpets, horns, trombones, euphoniums and tubas echoed through the halls as enthusiastic future musicians learned the rudiments of sound production from our instrumental teachers, aided by some of our senior and former students. Plenty of raw talent was displayed, and we can't wait to hear the sound of the new Year 7 bands at their first rehearsals! At this stage we are planning on the first rehearsal to take place on Tuesday 17 March.
As the year starts to take shape, we encourage all students to take their instruments home regularly to practice. Students should be aiming at daily practice on their instrument to see consistent improvements. Parents are encouraged to contact the relevant instrumental teacher to gain an understanding of the time per day that students should be practicing.
We ask that all students clearly label their instruments and utilise the storage space effectively. Many students are not using the shelves provided and might find that their instruments are misplaced, causing a great deal of concern and anxiety. All personally owned instruments brought to school must be clearly identified with the student’s name and a contact number.
REHEARSAL
Ensemble rehearsals are all well underway now. Please ensure that attendance is maintained as a priority and we ask that appointments and other activities are not scheduled at rehearsal times. Please note that absences from ensemble rehearsals before or after school need to be notified in advance as for any other school absence.
A reminder that the five core rehearsals are at the following times:
Monday After School – Symphonic Wind
Thursday Before School – Keenan Strings
Thursday Lunch – Choir
Thursday After School – Orchestra
Friday Before School – Ovenden Band
INSTRUMENT HIRE
Instrument hire payments can be made via compass this year.
HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Music House Captains are now running many rehearsals. The level of enthusiasm shown by all students is extremely high. Students can keep an eye on when their house rehearsals are by following the attached link.
A reminder that the House Music Festival is at 7pm on Wednesday 11 March in the school hall. We invite you to come along and celebrate with the students on this evening.
Megan Papworth
Head of Music