Senior Years News

Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS) 

We had a visit from Celia Fielke from Australian Lutheran World Service (ALWS), who  spent the day with students at GNLC teaching them about the work of this aid organization of the Lutheran Church. Students in Years 4 and 5 had the opportunity to engage in learning activities which increased their understanding of living with poverty. 

The Student Leadership Committee (SLC) learnt about the work that ALWS does around the world in providing emergency assistance as well as long-term development projects. The SLC are eager to partner with ALWS into the future through fundraising activities, as well as direct action. ALWS is a highly regarded NGO in Australia who partners with various other aid agencies and is accredited by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Unlike some aid agencies, a high proportion of funds raised (nearly 85%) go directly to the aid projects If you wish to learn more about ALWS, visit their website: https://www.alws.org.au/

From the Music Desk - Year 10 Music 

At the close of Term 2, Year 10 Music headed for the city to hear Australian sounds that were performing plus learn about the past concerning the Australian music technology scene and the heritage of our First Nations people.

The Inspiration behind Dr Gurrumul Yunupiŋu’s seminal album Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow), brought to the stage in a hypnotic performance with the MSO.  A buŋgul is a ceremony, a gathering ground: a meeting place of dance, song, and ritual.

The Melbourne Electronic Sound Studio

MESS is a studio in Melbourne that has a huge collection of synthesizers, including some rare and unusual ones.  Its aim is to make them available to use - anyone can become a member and book studio time to work on their music using these synths.  

Byron Scullin led our 2-hour session was split between an in-depth tour of the collection and a brief history of synthesis, and some of the stories behind some of our key instruments then followed by studio time for the students where the class can jump on and use an array of instruments in the studio. 

Centred around their significant collection of electronic instruments, M.E.S.S. is a place for people to engage with the history, technique and artistry of electronic sound and music creation presented in a format that is flexible, affordable and artist driven. 

Our GNLC students had the opportunity to get hands-on with some of the world's most iconic electronic instruments.  A recent visitor to this facility was the legendary guitarist John Frusciante [The Red Hot Chili Peppers] who dropped in for a studio tour and jam on the Yamaha CS-80 back in February this year, (what a shame we missed him!).

In the 1970’s, 2 Sydney teenagers built their version of "the world's greatest synthesizer" - the Fairlight CMI (Computer Musical Instrument). This instrument was readily adopted by the likes of Peter Gabriel (the first owner in the UK) to Hans Zimmer (well-known for his film music) to Nick Rhodes (of Duran Duran).

Gurnazmeen (Left) is pictured playing the theremin.  This is an electronic musical instrument in which the tone is generated by two high-frequency oscillators and the pitch controlled by the movement of the performer's hand towards and away from the circuit.