Music

As you read this newsletter, the musos of JMSS are off having a great time at Music Camp! It has been an exciting month for the music program, with the Stage Band and A Cappella Choir fresh back from their trip to Mount Gambier at the start of the month. Now we are hard at work preparing for the Autum Soirée, which will be on Thursday 26th May, starting at 6pm. Come along for a great night of music!

Mount Gambier – Generations in Jazz

Generations In Jazz at Mt Gambier was a weekend away of overwhelming talents in jazz, hoarse voices from cheering and collectively swooning over the sickest double bassist at the festival. But it wasn’t all that jazz, the weekend was an overall inspiring experience for any musician seeking a better insight in the world of music.

The trip was from 6th to 8th May and we left on Friday morning prepared for the long ride to Mt Gambier. It was an eventful bus ride of conversations, music sessions and games but with relief, we arrived at our accommodation late afternoon. Even better news, the rooms had beds since stories of last year’s accommodation were still spoken about. From there we drove to Mt Gambier for the opening concert on Friday night. We were introduced to some of the guests for the weekend such as Kaichiro Kitamura, Kate Ceberano, The Idea of North, Wycliffe Gordon and of course, James Morrison. Each of them demonstrated different musical talents and were absolutely brilliant at what they did. It was a sensational night of purely insane jazz music and it was only the beginning.

On Saturday we arrived at the festival where we were able to watch many school bands and a cappella groups perform. It was a good opportunity to view music from other schools, relax with friends around the festival venue and listen to some peculiar performances on the Jam Stage. Good job to those from JMSS who went up and ‘jammed’! For the competition, the JMSS stage band was in division 3 and the a cappella group was in division 4. Unfortunately, JMSS did not win any places in the divisions but nevertheless, everyone did an incredible job.

Saturday evening’s concert rode on the high from Friday as the One O’Clock Lab band performed. The cheering and excitement was exhilarating as we watched musicians execute techniques perfected beyond our imaginations. Furthermore, it was the night they announced winners and significant soloists in divisions. To save JMSS from its misery of winning no places, congratulations to Yoshiya Mori for making it into SuperBand with his impressive solos! Everyone was incredibly proud and cheered like mad.

The following day, we returned to the festival for the last time, going to our music workshops and watching more performances. Sunday’s concert still raised the same energetic level with musicians still continuing to perform ridiculously good jazz. We left the festival around 3pm, heading back home with a stop for dinner and arriving at school around 11pm. Despite the zombie-like stances, everyone was definitely excited for school the next day on Monday morning.

GIJ is a festival to definitely return to and recommended for anyone interested in jazz and music in general. The experience is clearly unforgettable, inspirational and perfect for people finding motivation in extending their music skills. Thanks to everyone who came and performed to their best abilities, making this trip a seriously good one. Also, thanks Mr Delves, Dr Hale, Ms Schaff and Mr Shnier for supporting us on the trip! Looking forward to all the prizes JMSS is going to win next year!

Evelyn Chan, Nelly Ou, CJ Santos