Double the Fun: DCC Concerts Bands at VSMF 

On Tuesday 15 November two of our outstanding DCC Concert Bands attended the Victorian Schools Music Festival State Competitions held at the Hawthorn Arts Centre.

The Junior Concert Band, lead by Mr. Fisher and Mr. Horneman were performing in the morning session of the competition, where the IBP (Instrumental Band Program)Training Band were performing in the afternoon session, with Mr. Horneman and Mr. Sheridan. 

The Junior Concert Band or JCB ensemble was directed by the enthusiastic Mr. Horneman, and you could really hear the ensemble go for it! Performing three different musical compositions, the Junior Concert Band members showed what their ensemble was made of, with excellent brass playing, tuneful woodwinds and powerful percussion and bass lines, this ensemble packed the power in the sound. WOW! 

The Junior Concert Band received ALL excellent marks from the adjudicators, along with supportive comments filled with advice. One of the highlights was hearing Mr. Fisher’s amazingly evocative piece 'Medieval Faire', which creates the sights and sounds of an ancient Faire in Medieval times. The students played this one very well, with strong commitment and passion for their ensemble sound.

In the afternoon session the IBP Training Band performed a program of three compositions as well. They opened their with a bright march-like piece titled 'Confluence' which was followed by a fun number called ‘Hard Rock Blues’, in which the whole band was literally swinging to the beat. 

Lastly, they performed a piece filled with rhythmic tension titled ‘Race Against Time', where the musical pulse shrinks in time and almost disappears! That could give a Music Teacher anxiety for sure… disappearing beats, ugh! 

The IBP Band did an outstanding job on all their music, and that was clearly reflected in their marks, which were all outstanding and excellent. The Band sounded great, and also looked great on stage as well. 

What an incredible achievement for these young instrumental students to present a program with such wonderful ‘positive energy’ and musical commitment after only eight months of training. We can not wait to hear them all in Junior Concert Band next year.

 Thank you to Mr. Horneman and Mr. Sheridan for their care, enthusiasm, co-ordination and motivation for travelling with our Concert Bands to this most important annual music event.

We congratulate all four of our Concert Bands this year, for their continued teamwork, and dedication to performing music at their highest possible standard. Keep up the great work!