Music News

Chris MITCHELL

Director of Instrumental Music & Performance

Classroom Teacher

Winter Concert

A few weeks ago, the music department presented our annual Winter Concert. This is our biggest show of the year, with all major ensembles taking part. It was a little different this year, being held in the gym while the Theatre repair works continue. As usual, there was a wide variety of music, from well-known classical gems to movie themes and recent pop songs. Notably, this was also the first performance for our beginner students. Beginner strings students participated in Nouveau Strings, while beginner brass, woodwind and some percussion students form the Junior Concert Band. Both groups did a great job with just over a term of rehearsals! The concert also showcased our intermediate and senior ensembles, plus some solos and student organised group performances. This included some from our VCE Music students as an early opportunity to practice performing one of their pieces for their final exam, coming up in October. Thanks to all the staff who led their groups to prepare items, along with those who provided backstage support and student supervision.

Instrumental Lessons

A few reminders for students regarding instrumental lessons:

· Please check your lesson times carefully each week, and again the day before the lesson. Write yourself a reminder if you need it so you remember to attend (or if you use a BYOD, set a reminder using a calendar app such as Outlook).

· If you will miss a lesson, please see your teacher or send your teacher an e-mail well in advance. In some cases, the lesson time may be able to be re-arranged but this is not always possible.

· Please ensure you complete regular practice as advised by your teacher. Some teachers will write practice requirements in the Compass lesson plan, so please check this.

Home Practice

It is essential that students practice their instrument outside of lesson times and ensemble rehearsals. This will greatly help their progress. To aid in this, a suitable music stand is essential to promote good posture. Basic fold up stands are available at most music stores for around $25-30.

Ensembles

Ensembles are well underway for the year. All ensembles will have at least one performance in Semester 2. A reminder to students to be on time and arrive with all required equipment to fully participate. Please also note that those students who were in Class Orchestra in Semester 1 will have been allocated to other ensembles for Semester 2 – parents will receive e-mails regarding this, and the new ensemble will appear on Compass from the start of term 3 – please let me know if it is not showing for your student.

Harmonix ‘NEVR Spotlight’ Performance

Unfortunately, this year the NEVR Youth Concert is not running. However, the North-East Victorian Region Music Coordinators have organised a smaller ‘Spotlight’ concert. Our Harmonix choir has been selected to be part of this, combining with similar groups at Vermont Secondary College and John Monash Science School. Parents/carers of

Harmonix students will have received details about this from our choir director, Mr Nguyen. Please check and action this information carefully.

Care of Instruments

Students are reminded that musical instruments are expensive and can be fragile. Please take care when storing and using your instrument and follow all use and care instructions given by your teachers.

2025 Performances

For your forward planning, please see the proposed 2025 performances below. If you are unsure if your student will be required on a particular date, please contact the music department for confirmation.

A Final Word

As you may have heard by now, I will be stepping down as Instrumental Music Coordinator, effective from the start of term 3. I accepted the position as Head of Curriculum and Pedagogy at the start of the 2025, and was only continuing in the instrumental music role until a suitable replacement could be found. I am pleased to let you know that such a replacement has been found in Mr Ben Plant, who will be starting with us from Term 3.

Even with my change in role, I am still committed to seeing the music department continue to provide wonderful opportunities for our students. I will be supporting Ben as he takes on the role, and will continue to teach classroom music, assist with concerts and help students put together performances.

Learning an instrument is such a valuable and unique part of high school life, and we are very lucky at Highvale to have a dedicated team of specialist instrumental teachers, and a supportive administration, which allows the program to deliver for students. Music brings together learning, wellbeing and community, and helps develop in students' qualities such as self-discipline, confidence, creativity, leadership, teamwork and empathy, as well as providing them with a unique way to express themselves.

It has been a privilege to lead the music team for the past 6 years, and to work with so many talented students over this time. Thank you also to all the parents who support and encourage their students in their musical journey.

I will be very much looking forward to seeing the program rise to even greater heights in the years to come.