Music Notes

Mr Kurt Abell, Head of Instrumental Music

Annual Concert

Kilvington’s Annual Music Concert, held on August 17th, was a stunning showcase of talent and artistry that left audiences spellbound. The event, which featured an extensive array of performances, highlighted the diverse musical and dance talents of our students. Our ensembles performed a wide variety of genres and styles including classical and contemporary instrumental and choral music.

The concert was not only a showcase of musical and dance talent but also a celebration of the hard work and dedication of our students and staff. Each performance reflected the commitment of both students and educators to excellence in the performing arts.

Congratulations to all the performers for their outstanding contributions and a heartfelt thank you to our dedicated music and dance teachers. Your guidance and support are integral to the success of our Performing Arts program, and the concert was a testament to your hard work.

Thank you also to the parents, friends, and community members who attended and supported the concert. Your presence and encouragement play a vital role in fostering a thriving performing arts community within our school.

Concert Band wins Gold at Victorian School Music Festival

Following their spectacular performance at the Kilvington Annual Music Concert, the Concert Band attended the Victorian School Music Festival, held at the Hawthorn Arts Centre on Tuesday 25 August. This annual event provides opportunities for school bands, orchestras, jazz ensembles and choirs to perform, receive feedback and work with international music educators who are specialists in their chosen ensembles. We are thrilled that the band received their second consecutive Gold Award from the Chief Adjudicator Professor Rodney Dorsey from Florida State University.

Vocal Soirées

On Wednesday 26 August, 40 of our voice students performed at the annual Junior and Senior Vocal Soirées. The students performed works across a range of styles and genres, featuring students from Year 2 to Year 12.

Congratulations to all the students for their hard work and dedication, and thank you to our voice teachers, Ms Zara Barrett and Ms Caroline Vercoe. Thank you also to our accompanists Dr Christina Chao, Ms Sarah Bouquet and Ms Serena Guo.

Strings Concert

On Wednesday 2 September, the Kilvington Sports Centre hosted our annual Strings Concert. This fantastic event featured the Suzuki Intermezzo Strings, Cello Ensemble, Junior Strings, Celtic Band and Chamber Strings, as well as selected soloists from across the whole range of year levels from Prep to Year 12.

Thank you to our wonderful strings team and congratulations to all the performers.

Speech and Drama Concerts

Our Speech and Drama students have taken to the stage this term, presenting both their Drama Ensemble and Solo performances. There were two concerts, featuring a range of solo monologues, small group performances and our larger Drama Ensembles. Almost 85 students participated in the performances, ranging from ELC to Year 10.

Congratulations to all the students for their hard work and dedication, and thank you to our Speech and Drama teacher, Ms Kathryn Nelson.

Friday Soirée Performance

A large and appreciative audience enjoyed a range of performances from a selection of our Piano and Trumpet students at our Friday Soirée last week. Congratulations to all those who performed.

VCE Music Repertoire Unit 4 Masterclasses 

Nicole Bull, Head of Performing Arts and VCE Unit 3 and 4 Music Teacher.

Over the past month, students enrolled in Unit 4 VCE Music Performance have had the opportunity to collaborate with distinguished music professionals who specialise in their respective instruments—piano, voice, violin, and clarinet/saxophone. This experience has provided students with valuable insights into technical skills, performance techniques, expressive communication, and expert guidance on interpretation. As their external VCE performance exams are approaching in the coming weeks, this preparatory work has been instrumental in helping students assess their strengths and challenges, refine their goals, and enhance their ability to deliver confident and polished recitals. Students have had the privilege of workshopping their performances with esteemed industry figures, including:

• Alexander Lewis is a star of opera and music theatre having performed at the Met in New York, Covent Garden in London and performed as Tony in West Side Story and Raoul in Phantom of the Opera all over the world. Currently, he runs the Opera Scholars Australia where young singers get valuable guidance, tutelage and mentorship preparing them for future careers.
• Dr Tamara Smolyar, one of Australia’s most active and highly regarded pianists, with extensive performance experience both internationally and in Australia as both a soloist and chamber musician.
• Dr David Le Guen, is a Canberra-born violinist and conductor who has worked with leading youth and community orchestras across Australia and internationally, including guest conducting engagements in Bulgaria and advanced studies in Spain and Vienna.
• Jason Xanthoudakis holds advanced music degrees from the University of Melbourne, Victorian College of the Arts, Monash University and the Sydney Conservatorium, with further study in Paris, Amsterdam and London, and is a recipient of the 3MBS Performer of the Year Award.

We extend our best wishes to all VCE Unit 4 Music students for their upcoming exams. Additionally, for those interested, students will be performing their recital on Wednesday evening, 16th September, commencing at 6:00 pm in PVC4.

AMEB Results

Congratulations to the following students on their recent AMEB Results:

• Madeleine Clyne – Grade 4 Piano Repertoire (Honours) 
• Nok Lin – Grade 2 Cello (Honours) 
• Matthew McCrohan – Grade 1 Flute (Honours) 
• Nina Seurett-Batterham – Grade 5 Flute Repertoire (Honours) 
• Alice Yin – Grade 4 Flute 
• Sophie Zewde – Grade 4 Cello

Congratulations also to Arie Herman for achieving a High Distinction in his recent Preparatory exam with the Australian Guild of Music & Speech.

Student Achievement – Jasper Watters, Year 11

Congratulations to Jasper Watters, who was awarded second place in the VCE Piano section of the Bayside Eisteddfod last weekend.

Young Mannheim Symphonists 2027: Beethoven Celebration

Auditions for YMS 2027 are now open! The Young Mannheim Symphonists program is Australia's national youth orchestra for HIP (historically informed performance) and 2027 is going to be huge.

• YMS 2027 National Academy | 30 March – 4 April | Brisbane | BEETHOVEN Symphony No.9 'Choral'

• YMS 2027 VIC State Academy | 6-10 July | Melbourne | BEETHOVEN Symphony No.3 'Eroica' and Coriolan Overture

   

Applications close Sunday 25 October, and further information can be found here.

Melbourne Youth Orchestra 2027 Summer School

Do something you love this summer at the famous MYO Summer School. Join over 800 young musicians for an inspirational week of musical discoveries, engaging workshops and performances in the heart of Melbourne.

Applications are now open for the 2027 Summer School, being held from Monday 11th January to Saturday 16th January 2026.