Music

Music's night of nights

SPC in Concert 2024 was held in the Performing Arts Centre Auditorium on Wednesday night. This was a spectacular evening! The diversity and musical richness of the items was a huge testament to the hardwork and ingenuity of the music students and faculty.

All of the College ensembles performed and received an overwhelmingly positive response from the audience of around 300 parents, guests and specially invited VIPs. 

Here are the highlights of the program:

The VCE ensemble opened the show. They play Give a Little by Le Grand. Their high energy adaption of this great alternative cross over work was a great start for the evening. The ensemble has presented this work at St Pat’s Got Talent and the Semester One Soiree to equally positive responses.  

The Falling Stars Band followed on. This is our senior contemporary group. They performed Back Pocket by Vulfpeck and Virtual insanity by Jamiroquai.  The group started their journey in music at St Pat's in The Rising Stars Band and so thought that this was a logical name for their ensemble this year. A huge thanks to Mr Thomas Forsyth for leading and playing with them.

The first of our soloists played next, Joe Elliot. Joe played so well! He performed Shuffle De Funk by Bob Mintzer. Everyone had a foot tapping.

Our next ensemble was Junior Stage Band. They played Atomic Clock by Chris M Bernotas and Drum Time by George Vincent. This second work featured an epic drum battle between Zac Peel and Jake Mahar - and the winner was... the audience! They both sounded amazing on their improvised solos!

The next item was a show stopper. Ben Nixon performed a work entitled KuKu. This was written by Barry Cockcroft for solo Soprano Saxophone - just Ben on stage, no accompaniment, no amplification. Just him! The audience was spell bound by the advanced techniques and engaging beautiful sounds! The audience was enthralled by his performance and the applause rolled on and on!

The night was high on contrasts, next we heard from Guitar Ensemble. They performed two great favourites, Ruby by the Kaiserchiefs and The Theme from Peter Gunn by Henry Mancini. It was delightful!

Another beautiful moment followed. Oskar Folkes presented the lovely Nocturne no. 3 by Franz Liszt. Another moment of intense engagement with the audience. It was so beautiful!

Percussion Ensemble certainly offered a change of pace with a work that truly spoke for itself, Drums, Loud, Good by John R. Hearnes.

Our College's premiere ensembles followed. First Senior Stage Band performing Smooth Operator by Sade, Goodbye Porkpie Hat by Charles Mingus and Out of the Doghouse by Erik Morales. Did we mention both Symphonic Winds and Stage band were awarded Gold Shields at the Victorian School Music Festival this year? Well, it was certainly obvious why on Wednesday night! 

Symphonic Winds present three very special works, Joy! by Frank Ticheli, Perthshire Majesty by Samuel Hazo and a very special work entitled Reverie. Reverie was co-created by Mr Matthew Pankhurst, Head of Music and the members of the band. It was a musical representation of Pennyweight Flat, a goldfields era children's cemetery near Chewton. The work was haunting and powerful. Both this and Perthshire Majesty were played while a series of images appeared in the PAC's huge screen. It was great use of the new space.

The night wrapped up with a performance of a work that involved everyone. This work entitle Declaration in Blue was very well received by the audience. 

A huge thank you to our music leaders, Jack Williamson, Charlie O'Connor, Oskar Folkes and Lachlan Hodge. Congratulations also to all of the Year 12s who played, your dedication over the last six years has been amazing. Thanks also to the Music Faculty and volunteer staff members. You went over and above for the boys!