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Arts DDT?

StringFest '23

We arrived at Brighton Secondary College after about 20-25 minutes. It was a large school. After wandering about the grounds for a few minutes – searching throughout rooms and hallways, our group was directed by a staff member - turns out there was a sign specifically for the String Fest.

We walked up the stairs and into an open auditorium halfway full of musical playing students. Instinctively, their eyes locked on to us. Me (David), Aiden, Elizabeth and Elliesha quickly set up our violins, took our place at the back of the room in front of a stage, and flipped to Double Agent: the easiest piece we’d been practicing for our sessions. The conductor, Chris Kopke, set us off and the symphony began. It was amazing! All the Cellos, Violas and Violins playing at the same time felt like a true orchestra.

We went on to perform the song Spartacus, Battle of the Bows, Finn McCool and Shake It Off, which was by far the hardest. We played them all to the best of our abilities. Even though not all of us could do it perfectly, it was a great, fresh, new experience.

David A

Year 7

Fern House

Excursion to the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra!

On Thursday 15th June 2023, Music students in Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 attended the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s performance of Buŋgul. Around 150 students and staff embarked on a journey to the city to experience this amazing concert at Hamer Hall. The performance was inspired by Gurrumul’s seminal album Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) and featured hypnotic live performances by Yolŋu dancers and songmen accompanied by the MSO. It was a really rich, powerful and pivotal experience for the students - the visual and aural effects will stay with them forever, and be a reference that informs all the mentions of indigenous culture they experience in their lives. We were very lucky to be able to experience such a wonderful concert by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

Classroom Music Maestros!

For the last few weeks, Music students across the school have been preparing and presenting performances. Year 7s and 8s got to choose a song to learn as a band and have been successfully performing together.

Year 9s are working in small groups to learn an R&B song. Their performances were a great showcase of their learning for Semester 1.

Our Year 10 students performed for a group of junior students. They have been learning protest songs from the recent past. This will connect with content they will learn about in English and Humanities next term.