MUSIC NEWS
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Again it has been another busy and exciting fortnight in the Music Department.
OVENDEN BAND
On Monday 27 July, 58 members of the Ovenden Band played at Hawthorn Arts Centre in the Junior Concert Band section of the Victorian Schools Music Festival. The band was commended on their effective and energetic performance of a varied program and achieved a Gold Award from internationally recognised adjudicators, Dr Rob McWilliams and Mr Jeff Ball.
We are also incredibly proud of their performance at the General Assembly on Monday 3 August. It was outstanding, well done! Thank you also to Emily Holding who sang the National Anthem at this assembly.
SYMPHONIC WIND BAND
The Symphonic Wind Band returned triumphant from their four day tour around South Gippsland. Leaving early on Thursday 30 July, they managed three performances on the first day: Koo Wee Rup Secondary College, Korumburra Secondary College and Leongatha RSL and were treated to a variety of programs. On Friday morning the band headed off to Wonthaggi Secondary College where they shared the stage with the Wonthaggi Secondary College Band. The VCE students from each school also performed to each other.
Then it was back on the bus and over the bridge to Phillip Island. The band played at the RSL and at Banfields Aged Care. On Saturday night the band had a well-deserved break from performing: after a wonderful meal of pizza and pasta at Pino's Trattoria, staff and students all tried their luck at Ten Pin Bowling. On Sunday 2 August, we boarded the bus and headed to Cranbourne Senior Citizens for our final performance before returning to school on Sunday in time for lunch.
MUNCH THEN MUSIC
Congratulations to the fantastic students who performed on Friday 31 July in this series. Thank you to Daniel Ledda, Naomi Kricheli, James Hardy, Lizzie Rosin, Jordan Walters-Brown, Phillip Li, Ellen Kalaja, Ruby Mather, Vanessa Wong and Cara Bronstein for their outstanding performances. Thanks also to the Flynn Music House Captains Misha Machlak and Shai Pik for compering this event. Thanks to Mr Kurowski for his ongoing organisation of this concert series.
PERCUSSION ONE
Percussion One Foundation, Houston's premier drum line and percussion ensemble, is comprised of junior and high school students from the greater Houston area. Percussion One Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization founded by executive director Lamar Burkhalter. We were delighted to have the drum line perform for the school community through the lunch break, and a more intimate percussion concert for the percussion and elective music students during Period 5. Thank you to Mr Golovko for his organisation of this event.
STRING QUARTET
Thank you and congratulations to the String Quartet (Andy Zhan, Ceridwen McCooey, Zoe Bartholomeusz and Neg Hamedani Zadeh) for their outstanding performance for the CIS delegates on Sunday 2 August.
WINTER CONCERT
Preparations are now well under way for the annual Winter Concert and we look forward to parents and friends joining with us to celebrate the students’ success. Tickets are now available online through Monash University by using the following link:
Prices: Adults $20, Concession $15, Family (2 Adults/2 Children) $60, and Group of 6 $81
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES
We are pleased to be host to the ANATS Performetunity on the evening of 14 August. The Australian National Association of Teachers of Singing will be running a performance based Professional Development that will benefit the many students they teach around Victoria.
Please note these dates in your diary for the term for upcoming Performance Opportunities for Term 3:
- ‘Sons of Daniel’ performing at the State Finals of the Battle of the Bands at Hampton Park Secondary College;
- Winter Concert – 20 August, Robert Blackwood Hall (see above for link to buy tickets);
- Senior Stage Band performing in the Victorian School Music Festival of Bands at “The Deakin Edge” - Thursday 27 August;
- Orchestra performing at Royal South Street Ballarat - Saturday 29 August;
- Percussion Night – Monday 31 August;
- Saxophone Ensemble and Clarinet Choir performing at Royal South Street Ballarat - Tuesday 1 September;
- VCE (Unit 4) Music Performance Celebration - Thursday 10 September;
- Senior Concert, Farewell to the Year 12 Students – Tuesday 15 September.
REHEARSALS ARE COMPULSORY
In preparation for the many performances that will be taking place over the semester, students are reminded that they need to keep their attendance up at the core ensemble rehearsals. All music students, instrumentalist and elective, are required to be in one of the main ensembles that are held at the school. Being a part of these ensembles helps develop group skills, aural work, sight reading, widens their experience and musical style and often involves performing for community groups, other schools and functions within the school community.
Rehearsals are held as follows:
- Symphonic Wind – Monday afterschool 3:30pm – 5:00pm
- Keenan Strings – Thursday before school 7:45am
- Orchestra – Thursday afterschool 3:30pm – 5:00pm
- McKinnon Choir – Thursday lunch time
- Ovenden Band – Friday before school 7:45am
We look forward to seeing all students at their respective ensemble rehearsal. With the large number of external events, we ask that all students ensure that they have their instruments clearly labelled.
Megan Papworth
Head of Music - Classroom