Music Matters

2019 Victorian Schools Music Festival

Over the last three weeks, we were very proud to have four bands from our school participate in the Victorian Schools Music Festival. The festival included over 160 schools in the Concert Band Section and over 60 in the Jazz Band section. On Tuesday, 29 July, our Concert Band played in the Junior Concert Band section and received a Gold award. This was a fantastic achievement as most of the students in Concert Band have only been playing their instruments for less than 18 months. On Monday, 12 August, our Senior Jazz band played in the Intermediate Jazz Section and received a Silver Award and on Wednesday, 14 August, our Junior Jazz band played in the Junior Jazz section and also received a Silver Award. The last of the bands to perform was our Wind Symphony which played in the Intermediate Concert Band section on Wednesday, 21 August. They received a Silver Award. All the students prepared very well and we are extremely proud of their achievements. Each band was involved in a workshop from expert American Music educators in which the students learnt a great deal to help with their playing and ensemble skills. Thank you to Mr Rowlands, Mr O’Connell, Mr Brodie and Mr Dean for all your efforts in preparing the bands. You did a wonderful job.

Broden Ford Workshop with Wind Symphony

On Friday, 26 August, Wind Symphony was lucky to spend the day with Broden Ford. Broden is an up and coming conductor in the Brass Band scene and recently lead Darebin City Brass Band (formerly Preston Brass Band) to win the state Brass Band Championships in the A grade section and Whitehorse Brass Band to win in the C grade section. Broden helped Wind Symphony to develop their ensemble skills and refine their pieces for the Victorian Schools Music Festival. He was really positive with the students and the sound of the band by the end of the three periods improved so much that Mr Dean felt like he was conducting a well-oiled machine in their final performance. The workshop was a perfect way to prepare for the Victorian Schools Festival.

Nick Dean

Music Coordinator