Music Matters
Latest Music News
Wow, what a last two weeks of music performances. It seems like we’ve managed to fit in the whole year’s performances into two weeks. Here’s what we’ve crammed in:
November 26 – Senior Awards Presentation
VCE Rock Band
December 2 – Valedictory
VCE Rock Band, VCE Solo Marimba and VCE combined band
December 5 – Lunchtime Rock Concert
Three of the school Rock Bands from the Rock Program
December 8 – Grade 6 Transition
Soundworks performed to the Year 7s of 2021
December 10 – Middle School Awards Presentation
The two Junior Rock Bands
It has been so great to hear all the music again. With COVID restrictions easing further, we have had full wind ensembles rehearsing and performing together. It comes just a little too late for our Senior wind ensembles, Wind Symphony and Concert Band, who unfortunately were unable to have one last performance together. However, Soundworks got to finally play to an audience this week which was very exciting.
Soundworks First and Only Public Performance of 2020
Congratulations to Soundworks, our year 7 Concert Band, for finally getting the opportunity to perform together on Tuesday, 8 December. They played to the year 6s on their Transition Day to get them excited about learning an instrument next year. They were well prepared by Mr Ondaatje at their rehearsal on Monday evening then Mr Rowlands conducted them beautifully through their two main pieces “Ode To Joy” and “The Spook”. He even worked them through a version of “Hot Cross Buns” featuring solos from each instrument section. The Year 6s couldn’t try out the instruments this year because of Covid, so it was really important that we introduce the year 6s to instruments that they may not have seen before. We will be holding a Music information night early next year for all 2021 Year 7s.
Farewell Senior Music Students
On behalf of the whole Music department, I would like to thank all the Year 12 Music students that have graduated this year. It was so good to see you all at the Valedictory and present you all with your thank you for your services to Music glasses. Those who were able to perform displayed what a huge pool of musical talent we will be losing. We lose 17 incredible individuals who have been through some amazing experiences in Music over their time at Doncaster, including countless Winter and Spring Concerts, Victorian Schools Music Festivals, Music camps and Music tours to Tasmania and New Zealand. You will be greatly missed and are always welcome back to future Music concerts.
Thank you Aydin A, Enya A, Jordan B, Skylah B, Jasmine C, Megan C, Anja D, Archie G, Parsa G-G, Silvia G, Alisha H, Yu L, Zi Xing M, Jolene N, Jerome W, Jessica W and Aneka Z.
Classroom Music
The last week of Year 7 classroom Music involved students presenting their final performances on their chosen instrument. Mrs Howes, Ms Slater and Mr Dean were treated to some incredible performances. This included Nicole (Jiahang) on the Guzheng which is a 21 stringed Chinese instrument. We thank Nicole for allowing us to share part of her performance with you through this video:
2021 Music Levies
Music levies for 2021 can now be paid on Compass. If you are able to pay them now it will help us greatly with planning for 2021. Thank you.
Hired Instruments
Anyone who has a school instrument at home, could you please return them to the Music office as soon as possible. The instrumental teachers need to check them over to make sure no repairs are required before next year.
If you would like to take an instrument home over the holidays, a holiday hire agreement must be signed before you take it. See Mr Dean or Mrs Howes in the Music office to arrange this.
Nick Dean
Music Coordinator