Music News

Term 3 has been very challenging, juggling classroom music and instrumental. I’ve had a great time teaching Year 8B, 8D and the Year 10 music elective students. Our classroom music students have experienced playing keyboard, guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, voice, and drums in practical sessions. I am amazed at how quickly they have memorised chords, read music and played together as an ensemble. Besides playing instruments, students have completed basic music theory, composed music using the notation program MuseScore, and experienced music software producing tracks using incredibox. In term 4, I will be back full time taking instrumental music lessons. MSC staff member Kimberley Gardiner will take over classroom music. A BIG thank you to Kim.

New Music Teacher

In term 3, we were very fortunate to employ a new music teacher David Williams  one day of instrumental lessons. David has done a great job teaching percussion, bass guitar and trombone. He has also taken over the rock band, which rehearses during lunchtime every Thursday. David has a wealth of experience as a performer and has already made an impact teaching our students. They are turning up each week and are really enjoying their lessons. 

Strings

Our string program is expanding. We have 8 violins, a viola and 3 cellos. How exciting! This is a great sign. Our students have been attending their weekly lessons promptly with their instrument and music. Our senior string ensemble is making great progress, adding arrangements to their repertoire. Towards the end of term, we formed a junior string ensemble. This group has just commenced rehearsing every Tuesday during recess. Our young students are experiencing ensemble playing for the first time. A big thank you to teacher Donna Stemberger for teaching our students.

Guitar/Bass/Rock Band Students

Teacher Danny Stain is delighted with the progress being made by all students. Students are reading melodies, learning chords, experiencing fingerpicking techniques, improvising and playing a wide range of music styles. The rock band, which rehearses every Tuesday after school, are really enjoying their rehearsals. Next term they will have a few vocalists join the group. We look forward to their performances at our next concert.

Timetable

All students have received their term 4 timetable. All lessons are on Compass. Could you remind students to check their timetable each week and most importantly, remind them to take their instrument and music to school on the day of their lesson or rehearsal. Could you also encourage them to do weekly practice, as this will help improve our sections in the ensembles. It also means we can commence playing more challenging repertoire. 

Band Tour

Plans are underway to take our intermediate concert band and senior string ensemble to Merimbula in NSW at the end of the year to perform a series of concerts at primary schools and in the community. Once again, music students from Orbost Community College will join our tour. Depending on numbers, we might be able to take selected students from our vocal ensemble. Band tour information will go out to all students involved early in term 4.

Long Service Leave

I will be on Long Service Leave for the first 3 weeks of term 4. David Williams will be responsible for teaching my instrumental students while I am away. He will also take the junior and intermediate band during school time. The jazz combo group will rehearse Wednesday after school until 4.30pm. The kids will be in good hands, and I look forward to seeing them all when I return.

On behalf of the instrumental music staff Danny, Donna & David, have a safe holiday and we look forward to seeing all students back at the beginning of term 4.