Musical Notes
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Second term has been one of high activity for the students and staff in the music department of the College.
Rehearsal Camp
A rehearsal camp for the College’s stage band and newly formed Jazz Vocal ensemble was held at Phillip Island at the end of the first week. This was an intensive weekend of rehearsing as both groups prepared for the Generations in Jazz Festival in Mt. Gambier, South Australia.
Guest Speaker
The following day we had Michael Griffin, a music education specialist, researcher and author come to speak to the boys and music staff on the most effective ways to teach, learn and develop our musical skills. Michael’s emphasis was on doing regular (daily), structured practice sessions. He also presented to the boys and staff a number of tools and tips as to how they can make these practice sessions as effective as possible.
The Senior Autumn Concert
This concert is a new addition to the performance calendar at St Bede’s College.
This concert was opened by the College’s Senior Concert Band performing selections from Holst’s “Planets Suite”, “Hungarian Dance No. 5”and an arrangement of Coldplay’s “Clocks.”
Year 12 Music Performance solos were presented by Luke Meo (voice), Marcus Ting (bass guitar), Jake Koelmeyer (voice), Luke Gonzales (guitar) and Caleb Gardiner (drum kit). The Year 11 Music Performance performed as a band when presenting “Don’t Stop”.
The evening also included the Jazz Vocal Ensemble and Stage Band presenting their ‘ farewell ‘ performances prior to Generations In Jazz.
Generations In Jazz
This massive, annual festival involves over 3000 students performing Jazz music as either vocalists within a choir or instrumental musicians performing within a stage band. Performances from world-renowned musicians at two evening concerts are another highlight of the festival. These performers also run performance clinics which enables students from all levels to gain an insight into how they might further develop their own playing.
The headline act for this year’s festival was the American vocal group, Take Six.
The concert that they presented on the Saturday evening was absolutely brilliant and will lead to many of the instrumentalists who were in the audience, having a new or renewed interest in singing. This is certainly the case at St Bede's College with a number of the boys from the Stage Band, now expanding their musical horizons by becoming members of the vocal group.
As mentioned previously, we went to Mt. Gambier with two ensembles, the College Stage band and our newly formed Jazz Vocal ensemble. While we are yet to receive comments on our performance in the Stage Band section, I can report that the boys in this ensemble played with a great energy and feel.
The vocal ensemble was ranked in the middle of their division. This was an outstanding effort by Mr. Walter Saluni and the 19 boys who sang particularly when one considers that this group was only formed some 8 weeks previously.
Particular thanks to those staff who accompanied me on the trip , Mr. Walter Saluni, Ms Laura McCormick , Mr. Cameron Fellowes and Mr. Shane Hayton.
Coming Up.
Instrumental music afternoons are being held at present. On these evenings , instrumental teachers at the school present their students as they play solos or perform in small groups. These afternoons are an important opportunity for boys to gain experience in performing outside of an ensemble setting.
The Junior Performing Arts evening on May 25 will involve a number of ensembles and performers from Years 7 -9 and we will share the stage with performances from the Drama program at the college.
(Please note: This performance is free but is a fully ticketed event. Tickets can be obtained through www.trybooking.com/HTAX .
Neil Hambly
Director of Music
