Director of Music

Hectic Start to Term 2

It has certainly been a busy start to Term 2 with the number of special events in the first two weeks. We have had a visit from members of the Royal Australian Navy Band Tasmania, the first Senior Rock Band performance of the Term, and a special duet performance at the Mothers’ Day event. 

Grade 5 and Grade 6 Band

Grade 5 and Grade 6 Band rehearsals and tutorials have recommenced. Please encourage your son to remember his instrument and practice sheets for Mondays. Paper Practice sheets will continue to be used for Term 2. A practice tracking app is currently being examined to replace the paper sheets which can be lost. If students forget their instruments, contact home will be made as a reminder. If instruments are repeatedly forgotten, students can expect further consequences.

I have had many requests from students in Grade 5 to swap instruments. As students have been learning for a term, instrument swaps will only be considered to balance a section within the band and for other extenuating circumstances.

If students would like to learn another instrument in addition to their band instrument, the College offers private music lessons. Please email Jamie Pregnell, jpregnell@stvirgils.tas.edu.au for further information regarding private music lessons

Bandsman of the Week

Students who are named as Bandsman of the Week demonstrate exemplary behaviour during rehearsals and tutorials, bring all of the necessary equipment on Mondays (instrument, music folder, and practice sheet), and have demonstrated a dedicated home practice schedule. Congratulations to Isaac Whitfield in Grade 5 and Panayioti Hiras in Grade 6. 

Royal Australian Navy Band Visit

The first day back after the holidays provided the opportunity for the College to gather as a community to commemorate the Service of all Australian Defence Force members. It was a privilege to host Chief Petty Officer Andrew Hansch from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Band Tasmania who sounded The Last Post and Rouse for our ceremony. We look forward to hosting more members of RAN Band Tasmania for future events. 

Senior Rock Band Performance

Congratulations to the Senior Rock Band who gave an energetic performance to close out Edmund Rice Day celebrations. Lucas Hay, Archer Gifford, and Alex Hanstein performed songs, including Greenthumb and Dragonaut, to an appreciative College audience. We look forward to future performances from Lucas, Archer, and Alex.

Mother's Day Afternoon Tea

The first  Senior campus Mother's Day Afternoon Tea was well-attended by students and their mothers. In a very different performance to Edmund Rice Day, Lucas Hay and Alex Hanstein performed some gentle improvisations to add atmosphere to the afternoon. It was great that Lucas and Alex were able to perform for their mothers at this event while demonstrating their musical versatility.