Music Notes

Welcome to a new year

From Mr Jan Blazejczak, Director of Music/ Director of Performing Arts

We are pleased to welcome you to a new year of exciting music making and hope that you will be able to enjoy all the musical and performing arts experiences that the school has on offer. The start of the year has already proven to be busy with performances at the Commencement Assembly by the Senior Chamber Choir and the Senior String Orchestra. We also conducted our first house choir rehearsal. This is particularly exciting as it is the first time that all the students sing the chosen choir piece for House Music. This year’s choral item is Seize the Day from the musical 'Newsies'. It is a lovely and uplifting piece of music that has a wonderful message of hope.

School Music Captains and House Music Captains 2020

I am very excited and honoured to work with the School Music Captains and House Music Captains in 2020. Congratulations to the following music leaders:

School Music Captains

Charmaine Leung, Aimee Pieterse, Fanry Shen, Yohei Tang-Yamaoka and Ven Lee Teo

House Music Captains

BRUCE – Shannon Lam, Charmaine Leung, Ven Lee Teo, Jenneva Ta

MATHER – Jack Wu, Selena Yeh

RAYNER – Yohei Tang Yamaoka, Anna Thompson, Simrin Rattan

WARRELL – Fanry Shen, Aimee Pieterse, Krish Ravindrababu

The duties of these leaders are quite extensive and include conducting at House Music and providing support throughout the year for different tasks such as the organisation of music events, the set up of rehearsal spaces and, of course, leadership within a great department. We will also meet at least once a month to discuss ideas and ensure that a student voice is part of our department and the wider HT community.

House Music

House Music will be held at the Robert Blackwood Hall on Wednesday 11 March. This year the format has changed due to the cancellation of the solo component. The students are working hard towards three sections of House Music including House Choir, House Chamber Choir and House Orchestra. Whilst this year will be a transition year, it is important to note that students will be offered opportunities throughout the year to compete in performances.

Always wanted to learn an instrument?

Have you considered learning an instrument at Huntingtower? Learning an instrument is extremely beneficial! It enables students to develop in areas such as language, maths, concentration, emotional well being, resilience and social skills, to name a few! You can also become a member of ensembles and participate in many concerts. And most importantly, you will have a special skill for life.

Learning an instrument at school is time effective and offers many opportunities. So don’t wait, act now and have a look at what is on offer. You will find all the information you need in our new Instrumental Music Tuition 2020 Information Booklet which is located on the Huntingtower website under Teaching and Learning, Music Program (click on the link Instrumental Music Tuition 2020 Information Booklet). You can also visit the Music School or reception to obtain a copy.

Join an ensemble: it’s fun!

Huntingtower has some very exciting ensembles.  We are very happy to provide new students provide  with the opportunity to join our ensembles. The following is a list of ensembles that are currently on offer in the Middle and Senior School:

Ensembles marked with (*) require new students to audition. Students in the Junior School who already have a successful level of proficiency on their instrument are very welcome to discuss the possibility of joining the Middle School Orchestra or Concert Band with the Director of Music, Mr Blazejczak. We are also looking at establishing different ensembles to cater for beginners because it is important that students experience the excitement of being part of an ensemble at every level.

Music Lessons start next week (Week 3)

Instrumental lessons are starting next week (Monday 10 February). Please note that whilst every effort is made to accommodate your child’s lesson times, certain times might interfere with other classes. It is important that we are supportive of music lesson times during school hours, because studies from the National Association of Music Education found that students achieve higher scores and are better organised when they engage in music lessons during school hours.  There is also no negative effect on study scores (Effect of Pullout Lessons on the Academic Achievement – Phillip M. Hash).

We are looking forward to hearing lots of beautiful music from our students this year.

Performers wanted for the Parents & Friends BBQ on Friday 21 February from 6 pm – 8 pm

We are looking for performers who are interested in providing a short musical item for the Parents & Friends BBQ on Friday 21 February from 6 pm till 8 pm. A sign-up sheet with time slots is presently located outside the Director of Music’s office. Come and support this wonderful event with your wonderful talent!

Congratulations to our Dux: Rachel Ko

Rachel is one of 8 girls in the State of Victoria to achieve a perfect ATAR of 99.95. It goes without saying that learning an instrument equals a high ATAR score!

Rachel has been a valued member of music ensembles at Huntingtower and was a member of the Senior Orchestra, Senior Choir, Senior Chamber Choir and Senior Strings Orchestra in Year 12.  When asked to write a note on the importance of music in her life, this is her testimony:

Music and I go way back. We’ve had a long and somewhat complicated relationship; from the humming of nursery rhymes in the Junior School Music Room, to the tentative bow strokes in Primary School performances, to exploring the world with a violin case in my hand. It seems, looking back, that the notes and phrases we’ve created together have woven themselves into my childhood and become an indelible part of my school experience.

And I’m sure the same can be said for so many students here at Huntingtower. While the primary basis of our education seems to be to learn from textbooks and pass our tests, the culture of our school has a long history of encouraging students to find importance in passions outside of the classroom.

Throughout the last decade, my participation in orchestras, choirs and ensembles has created unforgettable memories and invaluable friendships that I will always cherish. Bridging the gaps between friendship groups and year levels, the music community has made it possible for me to leave school at the end of the day, not only enriched with the knowledge and facts to pass my exams, but with relationships that will last me a life time.

As a high school student, music has been, and always will be, my go-to escape. These last few years it has become my partner in crime, helping me to fight the evils of stress and pressure, which are, in my opinion, the most challenging parts of senior school life and ones that so many students seem to fall victim to. Singing and playing have proven to be essential in navigating the highs and lows of school life, and they are hobbies that I’d encourage every student, everyone, to seek the company of.

Thus, I don’t intend on parting ways with Music any time soon. My instruments will continue to be  key players in my journey towards future aspirations, helping me become the most comfortable, confident and content version of myself. And just as how making music enriched my HT experience, I hope that many more students will continue to create magic in the beloved orchestral room, inspire audiences in the PAC, and, most of all, cherish those experiences for years to come.

Rachel Ko (Dux 2019)