Music Matters

On Thursday, 25 March, as a part of our Harmony Week celebrations, five of the school’s Rock Program bands performed to a large crowd of enthusiastic students and teachers, hungry for a taste of some live music. The bands didn’t disappoint with outstanding performances in a range of styles from Ed Sheeran to Rage Against The Machine.

The show began with a new band formed only weeks ago, with members in years 7-12 Naomi, Shylah, Connor, Isaiah, Don and Lorenzo. They played a beautiful version of Perfect by Ed Sheeran with Ukulele and harmonised vocals. The next band was a four-piece standard rock line up of Guitar, Bass, Drums and Vocals with Jamie, Haylee, Eddie and Ollie from years 8 and 9. They played Song 2 by Blur. One of the highlights of the show was the third band with young Raul from year 8. Looking very unlikely as a rock frontman, he blew the crowd away with his vocals on Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet. The other band members Patrick (first gig on bass) Marc and Ryan played rock-solid parts behind him too. Next were Jasmine, Stephanie, Menuli, Austin, Oscar, Kayla, Daniel and Oliver playing Fly Away by Lenny Kravitz. Daniel and Oliver also both playing their first gigs. The last band was our veteran senior rock band with Gabby, Nanki, Elina, Ethan, Kelly and George playing Rescue Me by Fontella Bass. A piece from George’s VCE Music repertoire. Mr Dean replaced Jordan Barker (Year 12 2020) on drums in that band. After all the incredible help from Mr Shirley to set up and keep the changeovers quick, we finished early and had time for an encore. Eddie had left so Mr Dean joined Jamie, Haylee and Ollie on stage to perform Killing In The Name Of by Rage Against The Machine.

The crowd, including the teachers, all seemed to love the show and the bands can’t wait to do it all again soon. Thank you to all the students and teachers who came along to watch and rock out. A huge thank you to Ms Haywood for the photos and Mr Shirley for all his help with set up and troubleshooting during the show.

SOUNDWORKS REHEARSALS BEGIN FIRST MONDAY OF TERM 2

Soundworks our Year 7 Concert Band will begin rehearsals after school on Mondays from the start of term 2. They run from 3:30 – 4:30 pm and all students in year 7 learning flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, bass guitar or percussion/drums must attend as a condition of learning an instrument at the school. The rehearsals are fun and relaxed and all students are just starting out so everyone will be supported in feeling comfortable in this new experience.

YEAR 7 MUSIC TURBO DAY

On Thursday, 6 May, all Year 7 instrumental students will be participating in “Turbo Day”. This is a whole day dedicated to accelerating their learning after our delayed recruitment process this year due to COVID-19. Students will participate in workshops, sectionals and rehearsals throughout the day with instrumental teachers and older instrumental students passing on their experience. The event will be on Compass early next term.

MUSIC CAMP

Music Camp is all systems go at Camp Oasis Mt Evelyn from Monday, 24 May to Wednesday, 26 May. The event is on Compass now and all instrumental students are expected to be there, apart from guitar and Rock Program students. Guitar students will have their own Guitar workshop day on Tuesday, 25 May at school and Rock Program students will have a Rock Showcase in Term 3.

We would appreciate early consent and payments for our planning. Payment plans are available when paying online.

It is so exciting to be able to run these events again and we can’t wait to show the results of the camp at the Winter Concert on Tuesday, 1 June.

MUSIC LEVIES

Thank you to everyone who has made their Music Levy payment. Levy payments are now closed for all levels. If you haven’t paid your child’s levy and you want them to have lessons you must call the office to make payment arrangements.

MUSIC DATES FOR 2021

April 19 – Soundworks Rehearsal

May 24 – 26 Music Camp

June 1 – Winter Concert

August 27 – String Soiree

September 9 – Rock Showcase

October 19 – Spring Concert

Nick Dean

Music Coordinator