Music Matters

Senior Spring Concert

We cordially invite the Huntingtower community to witness the excellence on display at the upcoming Senior Spring Concert. On Thursday 09 October at 7:00 pm, we proudly present our excellent senior orchestras, bands and choirs in the PAC. Highlights include Matthew L performing an intricate solo with the Senior Concert Band, Aaron W performing the 3rd movement of the Bruch Violin Concerto with our Symphony Orchestra, and the massed finale performance of Defying Gravity from Wicked.

Smorgasbord Concert Review

In the second last of the term, we were treated to an excellent small ensembles concert with a program that such as string groups, sax choir, brass ensemble and the impressive HT Big Band. The event was held in our Orchestral Room, which had been transformed into a relaxing setting.  This was achieved through atmospheric lighting and a random seating arrangement, creating an intimate jazz lounge atmosphere! We were all enthralled by the performances that included students from the Junior School right through to even a couple of ex-students. This event will hopefully become an annual fixture in our busy music calendar of events. 

Mr Josh de Graaf 

After 20 years of dedicated service to the Music Centre, Josh de Graaf has recently made the difficult decision to resign. His professional life as a much sought-after performer and his current family circumstances led him to make this difficult decision, and he has expressed that he will sorely miss the wonderful students with whom he has been teaching. As a Music Centre, we will miss Josh’s relentless energy, reliability and musicianship, and wish him well with his future endeavours. 

At short notice, we have secured the services of Mr Martin Lee, who recently retired from the Auckland Symphony Orchestra as principal Oboe and Cor Anglias. Passionate about double-reed instruments, Mr Lee has had a long and successful international career as a performer and educator. His wealth of knowledge and experience will undoubtedly be of great inspiration to our Oboe students. 

MS/JS Spring Concert

We are pleased to announce the upcoming Junior School and Middle School versions of the Spring Concert. This event will take place on Thursday 30 October from 6:30 pm and will showcase our talented Junior ensembles and Middle School choirs and ensembles. Further details will be shared early next term. 

Music = Bigger Better Brains

We’re excited to share some recent science-based insights into the benefits of playing and singing music for students. Over a decade of neuroscience research by Dr Anita Collins and her colleagues has shown that music has profound impacts on all academic performances. At Huntingtower, we see this reflected in the excellent VCE results, which closely correlate with the very high participation rates in instrumental and choral music. So, not only is music intrinsically rewarding in and of itself, but it provides an unfair advantage over those students who do not partake in ensemble activities. For more information, please read this article. 

Mr David Mowat

Director of Music