Music Notes

Winter Concert Warmth

On Tuesday night, the Performing Arts Centre was transformed into a vibrant hub of musical energy as over 450 Huntingtower students took to the stage across nearly three hours of inspiring performances. The evening featured 15 ensembles, showcasing the depth and breadth of Huntingtower’s music program.

The HT Big Band welcomed guests in the foyer, setting the tone with their upbeat sound. The concert began with impressive performances from our Junior School Choirs and Strings, the Guitar Ensemble, Intermezzo Strings, and Middle School Choirs, each group delighting the audience and creating a joyful atmosphere despite the winter chill.

After a short intermission, and more foyer entertainment from the Big Band, the second half of the concert featured our senior ensembles. The 200-voice Senior Choir, Intermezzo Concert Band, Senior Strings, Chamber Choirs and Senior Concert Band each brought energy and polish to the stage. 

It was so good to witness the excitement evident backstage in anticipation of performing, which is critical to the motivation of our students. Our Music Captains also did a sterling job of announcing the items and relating their key experiences of being involved in music at Huntingtower. 

The night culminated in an excellent performance by the Huntingtower Symphony Orchestra of the full professional level version of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody In Blue, featuring Terrence H on piano who excellently performing the virtuosic music. Many other great cameo solos were also heard throughout the orchestra, including the iconic glissando on the clarinet played by Matthew L. After the final dramatic chords, it was very rewarding for the orchestra to receive a standing ovation from the appreciative audience for this quality performance. 

Our next formal concerts will be in Term 4; Thursday 9 October for the Senior ensembles and choirs, and Thursday 30 October for our Middle School and Junior School groups. 

VCE Recitals Concert 

Last Friday night, parents and friends of our many VCE Music students were captivated by their solo and ensemble recitals. These performances showcased their Unit 1 or Unit 3 performance work, including the weekly rehearsals and performance workshops that transpire in class time. Our guest assessor, Mr Matthew Tng from Wesley College, was impressed by the high quality of musicianship displayed by our students and provided valuable constructive feedback to help them further develop their musical journey. Congratulations to our VCE students for their poise, care, accuracy, and mesmerising repertoire.

VSMF & MYMF

Term 3 is our major competition term for our ensembles, with most of our groups performing at the Victorian Schools Music Festival, held annually at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. This excellent opportunity is an award based on the standard achieved, assessed by two expert adjudicators. One of the adjudicators then workshops the group live on stage, providing immediate feedback to support further growth. Additionally, students get to enjoy the performances of other schools, which helps them learn about musicianship, musical choices, and gain valuable insights from their performances. Upon returning to school, students can listen to the detailed verbal feedback provided by each adjudicator as the group performed. The following table represents the sessions into which we are entered:

Parents and friends are all very welcome to attend these performances. Entry is free and there’s no need to book seats. 

In addition, the Intermezzo Strings have been entered into the ensembles section of the Monash Youth Music Festival on the morning of Saturday 9 August. This will be our only representative group at this year’s Monash Festival due to the timing against the Musical Production rehearsals (Freaky Friday).

We wish all our competing ensembles all the best as they proudly represent the school at these prestigious events. 

Mr David Mowat

Director of Music

Senior Choir Recording

On Tuesday [date] members of our Senior Choir gathered in the orchestral room to perform and professionally record the piece, “Just One Step” by Daniel Brinsmead. This recording will be used internationally as an example of what this SSATB arrangement of the piece sounds like (which was specially composed by Mr Brinsmead for our choir to perform and record!). 

With over 200 students in Senior Choir, this was a special experience that so many of our students can say they were involved in. Recordings will be available soon and shared with the community (and the world!).

Year 8 Music Ensemble

As part of their elective, the Year 8 Music class formed a class orchestra and performed The Wild Bears - an arrangement originally created by current Year 12 student Ethan Z during Year 9 as part of an extension project. This year’s Year 8 musicians played so well that their performance was chosen as our assembly entrance music.

Ms Kayla Sims

Head of Choral