Music
Monash Youth Music Success
The Middle School Concert Band, Middle School Strings, and Senior Symphony Orchestra recently enjoyed participating in the Monash Youth Music Festival.
The Middle School Strings and MS Concert Band were just outside the placings in a large section of eclectic ensembles, with the Strings receiving an Honourable Mention from the adjudicator. Given that both ensembles have only been in existence for less than 12 months, and this was their first external performance and competition, we were very pleased with both their performances and the results. The Huntingtower Symphony Orchestra were awarded 2nd place by the narrowest of margins after having superbly performed the professional level work Four Scottish Dances by Sir Malcolm Arnold.
The Grazioso Chamber Choir also experienced success at the MYMF, which is outlined elsewhere here by Ms Kayla Sims, to which I add my congratulations.
We are very proud of how well the HT musicians represented themselves and the school. Many of our musicians were also involved in the very successful school Production ‘The 39 Steps’, so it has been a particularly busy time for the Performing Arts.
Huntingtower’s Middle School Strings performing at Monash Youth Music Festival
Orchestra Captains Spencer A and Faris T receiving our 2nd Place trophy
Proud and HSO members with the Trophy!
Spring Concert
The change in weather signals the imminent Spring Concert which will feature all our Senior and Middle School Ensembles in a showcase concert on the evening of Thursday 14 September in our PAC. With well over two hundred students involved, many of whom in multiple ensembles, it will be yet another marvellous opportunity for our musical cohort to experience the thrill and joy of performing to an appreciative audience. It will also be the final formal concert for our Year 12 students, which will provide a fitting opportunity to honour their continuous and valued participation in music at Huntingtower.
The evening will culminate in a stunning performance of a modern interpretation of the Beatles classic “Eleanor Rigby” by Cody Fry, featuring the Huntingtower Symphony Orchestra and massed choir. We encourage our Huntingtower Community to attend this monumental event regardless of any direct or indirect connection with our wonderful student musicians. We also anticipate seeing our aspiring younger musicians to attend this concert to witness for themselves how fulfilling and exciting it is to participate in the Huntingtower Music programs.
The concert commences at 7:00pm and is scheduled to conclude around 9:00pm, including a short interval, and entry is free (bookings not necessary).
Mr David Mowat
Head of Music
Eisteddfod Season!
During the already incredibly busy month of August, our Grazioso Chamber Choir made up of 30 of VCE students, competed in two Eisteddfods, the “Victorian Schools Music Festival”, and the “Monash Youth Music Festival”.
In the Victorian Schools Music Festival, students performed for other schools and then engaged in a workshop with guest adjudicator, Jodie Spooner-Ryan and were given incredible feedback and advice through this process. After this workshop, choirs are given a ranking out of Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum, the highest of which is incredibly rare to receive. Despite the rarity, Grazioso was given this Platinum rating and performed at an extremely high standard.
It was an invaluable experience, and it was incredible to share and engage in music making with other schools and the Choral community.
Following their success at VSMF, the Chamber Choir then competed at the Monash Youth Music Festival where, after an incredible performance, they received a 2nd place by only one point!
Despite the incredibly busy time of year, with many members participating in the school production and a heavy assessment period, the VCE students in Grazioso Chamber Choir should be commended for their dedication to the ensemble and for representing Huntingtower at such an incredibly high standard. Our students work very hard, so it was wonderful to have received such an outstanding result in both competitions.
A special thank you to our incredible accompanists, Stephanie Jane Lewendon-Lowe and Chris Nolan for their ongoing skill, expertise, and support.
Mrs Kayla Sims
Head of Choral