Instrumental Music

Music Intensive - Casey Philharmonic Orchestra

In the second week of the school holidays, nine students from Berwick College attended a five-day youth orchestra intensive run by the Casey Philharmonic Orchestra. Over the five days, these students worked on different pieces including “Film Marches”, “My Heart Will Go On” and “Harry Potter” as well as other pieces of music from around the globe. 

On the second day of the intensive, we had the opportunity to collaborate with tutors from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Each instrument group (brass, woodwind, and strings) had their own individual tutor, and the assistant conductor came along and conducted the orchestra for one session before they left, giving us the opportunity to play alongside the MSO tutors. 

The MSO tutors were exceedingly kind and super knowledgeable when it came to playing. We all learnt a great deal from them, which we can take into our everyday playing as well as the bands and orchestras at school.

During these five days of collaborating with each other and splitting into our sectional groups, we learned a great deal. In the brass section, we worked on how to play off-beats and were taught how to always get them by doing a mini exercise of marching on the spot while playing. During the intensive, while working as a whole orchestra, we learnt the importance of working hard and intense practise and working as a group to make the Friday night performance sound amazing. At the end of the performance everyone thought we did amazing, and we had an excellent conductor who led us through those five days, as well as the different teachers and tutors from the Casey Philharmonic Orchestra who we got to play along with during the performance.

While we were working hard, playing, and learning new skills in the orchestra, we also made many incredibly good friends, and they helped us grow in our playing as we worked together. Of course, when we were not playing, we laughed a lot and everyone enjoyed the free bread and buns. Even though we entered there not knowing many people, and at first everyone kept to themselves, once we started people were talking and everyone had so much fun, lots of laughs and just had a wonderful time playing among other young musicians who have similar interests in music. 

Overall, in the 2026 Music Intensive we learnt new skills, grew and developed our playing, gained experience with playing in such a large orchestra and with professionals, and making new friends. 

Those five days were the highlight of many of those youths’ holidays, and it was a truly remarkable experience for which I am profoundly grateful. I would like to thank the organizers for all the hard work and effort they put into this event to make it as amazing as it was.

Neri Derbyshire - Brass 

Save the Date

Annual Music Concert - Wednesday 2 September 7:00 - 8:30 pm (featuring our Symphonic Band, Symphony Orchestra, String Orchestra, Junior Band, Vocal Ensemble and Guitar Ensemble).

With your support, the music staff are hoping to fundraise for high-quality sound equipment to enhance student performance in the Music program.

Tickets (Adults $10 and Concession - $5 - Child/Student (non-performer), holder of a concession/pension card) are available through Trybooking  https://www.trybooking.com/DOUFZ 

Summer Soiree - Wednesday 18 November

Instrumental Music Staff