Muse News

ANZAC Day

The Anzac day ceremony at Baimbridge College involved the Wind Quintet and the Brass Ensemble. The Wind Quintet played “Abide with Me” a hymn that is associated with the Anzac day service. Mrs. Bell played the last post, and the national anthems of Australia and New Zealand were played by the Brass Ensemble.

This event also functioned as a rehearsal for Anzac day itself where our musicians travelled to Balmoral to march and play in the ceremony on Thursday.

The reason, apart from being my home town, is that they have a tradition of marching and a sizable service but are now incapable of forming a band themselves.

The Balmoral community are very grateful for the assistance and the musicians from here were well fed and treated like celebrities for the day.

For many of our musicians it was their first time marching and so that presented a new challenge that we worked on during the holidays.

What we're working on...

We have a great variety of small ensembles that are always looking for new challenging pieces to perform.

Satellite bands & the Stage band

The stage band has changed shape and has essentially become a satellite band, that doesn't leave orbit (like the moon). This term we will be working on 'Rehab' and other songs that will be shosen by the singers, who will rotate and use the band for whatever song they feel like... within reason!

The Wind Quintet

Sounds amazing!

Rehearsing the hymns for ANZAC day seems to have given them a clear goal and focused their practice. Despite the songs being easy, they have managed to give the ensemble a beautiful sound and a lovely balance.

I can't wait to see that translate into some more exciting music in the near future (not that there's anything wrong with hymns). The ensemble is entered in the upcoming Hamilton eisteddfod.

The Brass Ensemble

The brass ensemble marched on ANZAC day as I've mentioned, they also played the national anthems. On completion of ANZAC day, we have a goal to have a playlist of several working songs so that they can be featured as a section of any upcoming concerts.

They are also entered in the Hamilton eisteddfod.

Choir

The choir is underway, ten strong and looking for new members all the time. Thank you to the senior students who are involved, enthusiastic and supportive.

Concert Band

Concert band is also underway but as it rehearses at the same time as choir (until this term) I cannot effectively report on it. But it seems positive with the band working on 'Watermelon Man'.

New Monthly Recitals

The monthly recitals in the 'dungeon' of the music centre are beginning in May (where did April go?!) and the date is set for Thursday the 23rd of May, beginning at about 7.30pm. I will begin populating this event with performers to fill to no more than an hour's program. Please consider coming along and supporting our musicians in these regular performances.