Inside Ivanhoe

Strings News

IPS String Solo Soirees

Last week we held the annual String Solo Soirees. Over 3 nights, string students and their families gathered in the Collaboration Space. Each string student had the opportunity to perform a piece solo in front of a supportive audience. The string teachers feel so proud of everyone’s efforts!

Here are some comments from the performers:

 

Monday 16th June

 

Monday night was my very first violin solo soiree. I felt really nervous but also excited. I was second to perform which I was nervous about but when it was my go I took a deep breath and told myself that it will be ok. It was a really fun and exciting experience. After I performed I was able to sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the performances. Everyone played so well.
Jasmine 2M

 

It was a cold Monday night, but inside was warm and full of music. I felt really nervous before my turn because I was number 11 and that was pretty early. When I was playing, I was shaking and sweating a bit. My favourite part was when the teachers played they were really good! Everyone did a great job, and I’m happy I got to be in the concert. 
Henry 3J

 

The Strings Soiree was very exciting! I think everyone that participated was really brave and performed confidently. I play the cello, and the song I performed was called "Cossacks" which was lively and fun to play. I also enjoyed performing with a piano accompanist. I really liked the mystery piece the teachers played at the end! 
Miles 4K

 

Monday the 16th of June was a night with LOTS of music. There were so many adults, siblings and friends there to watch. One by one each student got up ready to perform and although many of them looked scared and nervous they all did great. Every piece sounded great on their own, while many kids had a pianist or a violinist next to them. The night was music to my ears, literally. Between each musical piece was a loud wave of clapping that was well deserved by each kid. Finally it was my turn, I got up from my seat and felt a shiver down my spine. I got ready to play and took a deep breath, this moment felt like it was all up to me. I made a few mistakes but other than that the song was brilliant. My piece was happy, exciting and energetic.  At the end of the special night was the teachers who put together the concert and they were great, each one of them had an inspiring part with lots of dynamics that were played very well and clear.
Olivia 5T

 

I liked everyone’s solo performance because I think that everyone tried their best and just gave a go even if it meant putting themselves up for a challenge and playing their solo song in front of everyone. I like how everyone was really confident and supportive of each other, every time someone would finish performing the whole crowd would clap for them and they all made each other feel included and like they did a great job because they did. All the string teachers were also really encouraging and Anna the pianist made a big difference because without her we wouldn’t have been able to play and without the background music and her little solo parts I think the violin would have been pretty boring without Anna. The rest of the music teachers were also really kind when Anna wasn’t playing and I saw they were always reminding the student to announce their piece and they waited for them to start playing until they started. Overall I think that night was a great success!
Emma 6P

Tuesday 17th June

 

On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday around 80 strings students performed at the solo soirees. The solo soirees is a chance for students to perform a song among a crowd of families and friends.
I enjoyed playing at the solo soiree because I got to show off all the skills I’ve learnt for my song. It was a wonderful experience to have!
Pia 4T

 

This week students from corelli strings and orchestra performed a solo or duet song in the collaboration space on the 16th, 17th and the 18th. It was a really fun night performing and listening to the music the students played. I think it is a good idea to perform on one of those three nights because it tests your confidence to perform in front of lots of people.
Caleb 4O

 

This week I performed in my third winter soirée. I love the soirées because I get to perform in front of my friends and family, but it’s great seeing everyone else perform their pieces too. 
Everybody practiced really hard for this one special moment of their performance and I was glad to hear them play so well. 
Thank you to all the strings teachers who help us and support us from start-up strings all the way to the Orchestra. I think we are very lucky to have them at IPS.
Archie 5R

 

On Tuesday I participated in the IPS Soirée along with 88 other students across 3 nights. I played Violin and the whole experience was amazing. I was one of the many grade 6s that had a speaking role at the podium. Everybody played amazingly and it was lovely to see everybody supporting each other. Some students were beginners while others have been playing for years. The audience was so enthusiastic and it was a lovely environment to be in.  The string teachers also played a mystery piece, a jig written over 300 years ago and they were all in harmony. The string teachers were very supportive, cheering on everybody and making sure we had the best night possible.
Evie 6R

 

Wednesday 18th June

 

I was very proud of my performance. I wanted to play violin because I wanted to express myself at music. Also I started to make myself some pieces.
Max 3O

 

It was super exciting to listen to everyone’s amazing pieces as it takes a lot of courage to do it. All sounded beautiful! And of course, it was lovely to hear the teachers play as a team. A big thanks to the audience for being so supportive of everyone. It felt very nice to show our hard work to a wonderful crowd.
Olivia P 5R

 

The Wednesday Solo Soiree was a magical experience. In not much more than an hour, 26 spectacular pieces of music were performed. From the rising stars playing their first songs alone to the more experienced musicians, everyone was superb. So much excitement was in the air, and everyone had something to add to the night. The talent and enthusiasm shown was music to my ears. A special thank you to the strings teachers for their guidance, massive role in organising this event and exceptional surprise piece at the concert’s close and to the Year Six students who spoke so confidently. Good luck for next year!
Edward 6P

Choir for the Night of Music

 

We are once again running a choir which will perform at the Night of Music concert on Saturday 6th September 7pm at Ivanhoe Girls Grammar School. 

 

The choir will be taken by Jennette Green, an experienced singing teacher and Choir Director as well as being an IPS parent.

 

Choir rehearsals will be: 

  • before school (8.05am-8.50am)
  • on two Fridays in Term 2 (Friday 20th June and Friday 27th June) 
  • on seven Fridays in Term 3 (Friday 25th July to Friday 5th September)
  • in the Collaboration Space

There will additionally be a few lunchtime rehearsals closer to the date, depending on how the choir is going.

There is a choir fee of $20 per child.If your child is interested in choir but didn’t sign-up already so you haven’t received information, please email Margaret.butcher@education.vic.gov.au.

The other IPS groups performing at the Night of Music are Corelli Strings and Orchestra.

 

Margaret Butcher.