The PAC became a musical battleground last Wednesday, as Belmont High School hosted a Battle of the Bands event for schools in the Geelong area. Our 1st year VET Music class ran the show, putting their stage management and sound production skills to the test and learning from industry experts throughout the evening. The participating bands from five schools showcased their incredible music talents and passion for performing and it was a great night of entertainment. Judging the event were two local music professionals, Belmont High alumnus, Trinity Hunt and our resident drum teacher, Patrick Consedine. It was a close contest, but after a nail-biting tiebreaker, the band “Square 1” from Kardinia International College took home the top prize, with Belmont’s “Apollo Project” coming a close second.

A special thank you to Rose Humphrey and Amanda Linton for your support on the evening and to Oxygen Music for sponsoring our event. Bring on the next battle!

Ashleigh Hunter

The event raised $318.50 for local mental health support group Healthy Minds Geelong.

Jazz Groups Intermediate Jazz and Jazz Syndicate travelled to Hawthorn last Friday to participate in the jazz section of VSMF. Intermediate Jazz were awarded Silver, and Jazz Syndicate awarded Gold in their sections, with both bands putting together excellent programs and performances. Congratulations to all students involved for their enthusiastic and positive participation throughout the day, and to Emma Moffatt for her stellar preparation of Intermediate Jazz! I’d like to thank all the members of Jazz Syndicate for their determination to ‘get a gold’ this year. Each and every band member found something extra to make our performance the best it could be. Well done team!!

Beginning, Intermediate and Senior Concert Bands performed at Christian College Senior School on Wednesday and Thursday. Performances from all groups were both musical and polished, and really showcased the efforts our students put in to make their ensembles the best they can be. Intermediate Band were awarded a Gold Shield, and Senior Band a Silver shield.

Congratulations to all students involved, and a big thank you to Emma Moffatt, Amanda Linton and Ashleigh Hunter for all their work in preparing students for these events, and for all the time volunteered to help with supervision at each performance. A great team effort!

A reminder to parents that photos of individual students and whole band photos in the groups can be viewed and purchased via the code sent out to ensemble families via email.

Last Sunday VET Year 2 Band ‘Orion’ represented Belmont High School at the Come Together Festival in Queenscliff, performing a stellar set with their usual style and flair. They received some great feedback for their performance and put on a really professional show. Many thanks to Keith Busbridge for filling in for Max Ebner, and to the Freeza committee for supporting youth performance on the Bellarine.

Photo: Tara Logan

Photo Credits Patrick Callow

TAKE NOTE WORKSHOP SERIES

We are lucky to have secured a workshop with the Melbourne Jazz Festival take Note workshop series again this year, with jazz mentors visiting BHS and working with our students. These workshops are a great window into life as a professional jazz/session musician, and all jazz band members have been invited to attend the workshop on August 23rd, periods 3+4 in the BHS PAC. Students who would like to be involved who are not in the Jazz Bands are welcome to apply for any vacant workshop spots - see Ms Humphrey to put your name down.

Artwork: Abbie Burton 12B

Tickets for the Jazz Cabaret are selling fast, so jump in and get yours before they sell out! The Cabaret will be held on Friday September 13th from 6.30 – 9.00pm in the BHS PAC. BHS Jazz groups, solo jazz groups and small combos are performing, and we are excited to announce Michelle Scully and friends as our special guests for the event.

Cabaret style seating: book tickets through Compass tix:

Or on the following link:

https://compasstix.com/e/pxo53vv8xp

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