Music Matters
Music Camp 2026
I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate all of the staff and students who made this term's Music Camp a marvellous success.
It was a great pleasure to take 124 students from Yr 7-9 away on this year’s music camp at Camp Oasis in Mt Evelyn. With numbers continuing to grow in the music program, it was the biggest music camp that we have had.
During the three-day camp, students participated in ensemble rehearsals, sectionals, and a range of non-musical activities, which gave students the opportunity to get to know each other better and build social connections.
Staff and students worked hard during the rehearsals, and it was wonderful seeing students take on the responsibility of running some of the sectionals, mentoring younger students and assisting them to build their musical skills. Students were amazing role models for each other.
Over the first two days, students had the opportunity to take part in three different activities, some of which took them out of their comfort zones, choosing from Giant Swing, Flying Fox, Archery, Climbing Wall, High Ropes, Candle Making, and Laser Tag.
Thank you to the students who performed in the very eclectic and entertaining Talent Show that we held on the Tuesday night, along with our fabulous comperes Amelie, Anna, and Milica. As well as Pat and Miller, who were our techs for the concert. Thank you also to our amazing visiting judges from the music student leadership team, Micky, Sienna, and Isabelle, along with Ms Dance.
On the final morning, each of the ensembles had a final rehearsal and then we finished the camp with a concert showcasing all of the ensembles. It was fantastic to see the enormous musical growth that each of the groups Soundworks, Concert Band, Stringworks, Guitar Ensemble and Junior Jazz had made over the three days of the camp.
Thank you to the incredible music staff Nick Dean, Tim Veevers, Hannah Walters, David Rowlands, Andy O’Connell, Josh Verco, Ben Muddyman, Troy Sheers and Basil Byrne who took time out to attend the camp and direct the ensembles. A huge thank you also to Ms Wan, Min, Mia and Lucy from the wellbeing team, along with Phoebe from inclusion for their fabulous work and support on the camp, supporting students during a variety of activities. A special shout out to our truck/bus packing team lead by Miller and Pat, especially for their perseverance packing the truck at the end of the camp in the pouring rain.
I would also like to thank the Oasis Camp staff for another great camp and delicious camp (restaurant) meals.
Finally, I would like to congratulate the students on the way that they approached the camp, rehearsals, and all activities. For some of them, it was their first very camp, and they embraced the opportunity to be part of it. They worked well as a team, always happy to assist with set-up, pack up and clean up. It was amazing to see each of the groups showcase their high-level playing at the Winter Concert.
DSC's Winter Music Concert
On Wednesday, 10th June, for the first time, we held two Winter concerts: a Junior and a Senior Concert. The Junior one sold out within days, and the Senior Concert sold over 100 tickets. All the performers did brilliantly, and all ensembles are showing great improvement, particularly those who attended the recent Music Camp.
The Music department would like to acknowledge and thank those non-Music teachers who volunteered their time to supervise students in P Block during the concert. David Glaubitz, Jesse Wilson, Ning Zhang, Belinda McGee, Kristin Skennar and Glenn Morris.
A big shout out also to Daniela Abriola for the program and setting up the ticket sales and live stream links, Howin Tang for operating the Livestream, El Menta for checking tickets and all-around help, Amanda Egglestone for manning the canteen, Tim Veevers for stage management and of course Wendy Howes for troubleshooting, arranging the photo slideshow of Music camp and taking more photos of the concert. It was also great to see Nefeli, a past student, backstage helping out and Howard Dillon, a past string teacher in the audience too!
Parent feedback was overwhelmingly positive. We have received many positive emails and lots of enthusiastic comments in person after the show. Mostly congratulations and gratitude for the opportunities we are providing for their children. Thank you to our incredibly supportive parents.
Overall, it was a huge success for our blossoming Music department. A link to the livestream recording can be found below. Feel free to fast forward all the bits in between acts.
