Inside Ivanhoe

Strings Ne

Summer Strings Celebration Concert

 

The Summer Strings Celebration Concert was held on Tuesday 26th November in the IPS School Hall. With the Start Up Strings, Corelli Strings, Orchestra and An octave above all performing, there were 114 students! 

 

Every group played really well and the Year 6 students all contributed excellently to the announcing. There was a huge audience and a delicious feast of treats afterwards.

 

A big thank you to the generous donors of the lucky door prizes: Gloriosa Florist, Osteopaths of Ivanhoe, the Froot Shop as well as from some grateful supporters of the music program.

 

 

Here is what some of the participating students have written about the concert:

 

 

“I am really excited to be a part of Start-Up Strings. I love working with new people and I am really excited for next year! I loved performing at the strings concert last week because I like performing in front of people. I was really proud of myself.”

 

Bella - 2N, Cello, Start Up Strings 

 

“I think we all put our heart into playing our instruments. Learning the violin, it felt like a whole new world to me. I thought that everyone took a lot of pride in playing their instrument. I felt proud when I saw the audience clapping and cheering.”

 

Felix - 2M, Violin, Start Up Strings

 

“All the strings got to play at least 2 or 4 songs for the event. For Corelli we played “Chicken in the Kitchen” by Keith Sharp and “Mango Tango” by Stephen Chin, both very energetic and entertaining pieces. We ended the Concert with a yummy Supper.”

 

Joanne - 3O, Violin, Corelli Strings

 

This concert was probably my favourite for the year because all the performances were OUTSTANDING! My favourite performances were ‘An Octave Above’ and ‘Jingle Bells’ with the whole orchestra! I also really enjoyed the supper after the concert and running around the sprinklers at the very end!” 

 

Miles - 3H, Cello, Corelli Strings

 

 

“The concert started with the Startup Strings playing moving pieces with concentration and pride starting their first few years in the Strings program. After that, the Corelli Strings played exciting pieces propelling the concert forward. The Orchestra played two pieces, the first one was energetic and lively, and the second left a fuzzy warm feeling with little butterflies fluttering about. The Strings ended off the year with both the Corelli and Orchestra harmonising to play the uplifting Jingle Bells. My favourite event was when the Orchestra played Storm the Gates which filled the concert hall with energy.”

 

Daniel Yang - 5L, Cello Orchestra

“In the concert last week, the orchestra played 2 pieces: Storm the Gates and Mariposas Exoticas (Exotic Butterflies). Storm the Gates was a piece which had strong, dramatic rhythms. Mariposas Exoticas represented an Argentinian jungle, and the creatures inside it. I really enjoyed both the pieces and playing the concert, and I wish I could perform it again.

 

My time in the orchestra has been amazing. I started playing double bass when I was in year 2 and joined the Corelli strings in year 3. I finally moved on to the orchestra in year 4. I really enjoyed playing in a group because the sounds we make when we all come together is fantastic. Specifically, I like the double bass because it makes very deep sounds, which sound great when you contrast them with the higher pitch of the violins and the cellos. We are so lucky to have the strings program in IPS, and I am so sad to be leaving it and the friends I have made along the way.

 

Harvey – 6P, Double bass, Orchestra

 

 

“Last Tuesday after school, parents, teachers and students gathered in the hall for the annual Summer Strings Celebration Concert. For Year Sixes, this was a time for us to reflect on our time in the IPS Strings program, whereas the Start Up Strings have only just started their journey. There was an exciting buzz in the air before the concert, the audience keenly anticipating what was to come. 

 

It was yet another successful performance beginning with the Start Up Strings and ending with the Orchestra and Corelli Strings playing Jingle Bells.

 

But for the Year Sixes, the peak of the concert was yet to come. Each year, after Jingle Bells, the Corelli Strings form a bow arch, which all the Year Sixes in the Orchestra walk through to receive their scroll, tied up with a ribbon.

 

At last, the 2024 Summer Strings Celebration was over. Parents, students and teachers mingled in the foyer, feasting on food contributed by families. Laughter floated around like tinkling notes, jovial and happy. At last, people began to leave, memories of this wonderful evening forever with them.”

 

Angelina Z – 6R, Violin, Orchestra, An octave above

 

“As I will be going to a different school next year, I would like to thank you all for giving me an opportunity to play in the orchestra and an octave above. I have really enjoyed cooperating with other instruments and listening to their sounds as well as mine. I also loved playing the exciting pieces, and the energetic rhythm they bring to me. I've always relished playing my violin, and being in a group makes it 10 times better. Once again, I would like to thank you for all your support, encouragement and music you have brought to my life.”

 

Jasmine - 4C, Violin, Orchestra, An octave above

 

 

 

Many thanks to:

  • All the string staff: Alice, Annelies, Erna, Hannah, Lachlan, Liz, Luke, Margaret, Sophia
  • Our Music teacher: Mrs Marie Morrow
  • All the front-of-house helpers: Anna, Atalanti, June, Kylie, Lisa
  • The organiser of the lucky door prizes: Belinda
  • Everyone else who helped in the hall set-up & pack-up including: 2M, 2S, 5L, 6R, Mr Bull, Ms Anderson, Ms Critchley, Mrs Morrison, Ms Murphy, Mr Sutton
  • Our principals for cheering us on: Mr Kent, Ms Wright

 

If you are interested in the String Program, please contact Margaret Butcher Margaret.butcher@education.vic.gov.au