Music 

Classical Concert

On the evening of Monday 10 October the Preshil community was treated to a magical program of extraordinary music-making by our students and their supporters. Set to candlelight in the beautiful St Stephen’s Church in Richmond, those assembled enjoyed a diverse spread of music performed by individual soloists, our two choirs and two orchestras.

The enormous Pavement Choir sang a Portugese song (including a beautiful solo by Ryn Wheelan) as well as ‘Seasons of Love’ from Rent with solos by Zoe Wickham, Amelie Justin, Allegra Holmes à Court, Cinni Greene and Liv Carlisle. The Flying for a Prize choir gave us ‘Scales and Arpeggios’ from Aristocats and made everyone smile.

Arlington Strings hit all the right notes with three of their best pieces, wonderfully supported by Catherine Wood on piano as always.

The huge effort soloists put into their daily practice was evident with fantastic performances of challenging works. Gulliver Poole’s ‘Mad Rush’ by Philip Glass was transformative as was Josh Moulieris’ own composition and Acorn Holmes à Court’s, Bach Double Violin Concerto. Nichaud Kuti’s ‘Supplication’ by Ernest Bloch was haunting and Ebony Campese’s ‘Lascia Ch’io Pianga’ by Handel, Stella Holmes à Court’s ‘Ave Maria’ by Schubert and Dante Moulieris’ ‘Arietta’ by Grieg were all very moving.

There were vocal treats by Offenbach and Caccini from Veronica Greene and Helen Kerr-Lawley, a rousing ‘Sonata in E minor’ by Vivaldi from Allegra Holmes à Court accompanied by Strings Attached and a sublime ‘Spiegel im Spiegel’ by Arvo Pärt from Will Holmes à Court and Josh Moulieris which moved more than a few audience members to tears.

To finish, Strings Attached gave us their all with an ambitious and triumphant performance of ‘Playful Pizzicato’ and ‘Frolicsome Finale’ from Benjamin Britten’s ‘Simple Symphony’. These pieces require each section of the group to count vigorously, maintain their own part while simultaneously making beautiful music as a whole ensemble. Eight months of rehearsing every Friday morning paid off and it was a delight.

Hosted by Audrey Robinson and Cinni Greene, the concert was one and a half hours of joyous, thought-provoking music. It was a testament to the dedication of students, their parents and teachers and we are proud of them all. Special thanks to the fantastic teachers and volunteers (Michelle Berner, Atilla Kuti, Ivan Rosa, Catherine Wood, Helen Kerr-Lawley, Katrina Holmes à Court and Jessica Bell) who help each week and to the parents who ensure their kids are committed to attending rehearsals and practising throughout the year.

Plans are underway already for another spectacular concert next year — not to be missed!

Karoline Kuti

Music Coordinator 

3s & 4s Music

The Kindergarten children have had a wonderful time exploring sounds this term to accompany their musical fairytale, Forest Animals Meet A Dragon. They have discovered through playing instruments that music can suggest the size, shape and temperament of animals.

We have included the use of Auslan (sign language), which we learned by singing the alphabet song last term, as well as an exploration of tempo (fast and slow), dynamics (loud and soft) and range (high and low) in combinations to express imagery. The plot of the story also includes themes like 'teamwork', 'celebrating difference' and 'inclusion', which the nursery children have been discussing in class with their teachers.

We are looking forward to performing our musical fairytale at some point later in the term.

5s, 6s & 7s Music

The 5s, 6s & 7s have been very busy creating original music in Terms 3 and 4.  The children have written their own stories as a catalyst to develop a musical sound track, as well as the use of sound effects to support the narration.  Ideas of 'scary music' and 'pretty sounds' have been discovered and used as dramatic effects. Their stories have also been visually expressed as paintings.

Using note values, the children have added pitch or used rhythms to create music for music's sake.  They have created their own motifs using a variation of instruments, or by using their own voices.  In combination, each student's song will make a larger original piece.  

Michelle Berner