Performing Arts News
Music Exams High Achievements
Glen Eira College music students: Layla Carmeli–Wolski (flute - grade five), Daniel Mijares Mendez (tenor saxophone - grade one), Harry Chen (alto saxophone - grade three), Terry Sun (clarinet - grade three) and Bhrugu Patel (alto saxophone - grade one) recently completed their Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) external music examinations assessments. All of these Glen Eira College music students achieved very high grades ranging from High Credits to Honours and Very High Distinction.
The students had to perform extensive technical work from memory, an unaccompanied study, two accompanied pieces and two extra list pieces. General knowledge, sight-reading and aural tests also comprised the assessments. Mr Dipnall taught the students and Ms Wijaya provided the piano accompaniment. The college administration assisted with the enrolments. Glen Eira College wishes to extend sincere appreciation and congratulations to these music students (and parents) for their success and dedication towards their outstanding achievements.
"The exam was a great way to work towards a goal and it clearly paid off."
Layla Carmeli Wolski
"The exam pushed me to work harder. Everyone was encouraging."
Daniel Mijares Mendez
"The saxophone exam was very challenging. It encouraged me to work hard."
Harry Chen
"I feel much more confident with my standard. I improved a great deal."
Terry Sun
"The more I practised the more I got confident. The examiner was really nice and ensured the exam went smoothly. It couldn’t have been possible without Mr Dipnall’s help."
Bhrugu Patel
Junior Bandfest
Glen Eira College music students participated in a Junior Bandfest organised by the Department of Education and Early Childhood South East Region on 7th November. Our wind and percussion students travelled to Cheltenham Secondary College with Ms Baker-Goldsmith. They then joined six other secondary colleges for a day of rehearsing and recording new music under the baton of Luke James. Mr Dipnall also assisted the students for supervision and general help with any difficulties. Approximately 150 students attended the whole day with trumpets, trombones, saxophones, flutes, clarinets, bassoons, oboes and percussion instruments.
The students learnt new skills for a very large combined ensemble performance and concentrated very well on the tasks at hand. A recording of the new music was done at the end of the day after an enjoyable and relaxing lunch break. Well done to our music students for their cooperation, concentration and participation in a very successful Junior Bandfest.
Mark Dipnall
Woodwind Teacher
Lunchtime Concert – Queen Tribute Show
On Monday 19th November a number of the Instrumental Music staff put on a lunchtime concert, the first ever on our new outdoor performance stage. Instrumental students from the Guitar, Percussion and Woodwind programs put together an entertaining show with a number of solos and ensemble pieces, the highlight of which was the massed item of all students performing a medley of Queen songs (and a few other well-known tunes!).
Thank you to Mr Mark Dipnall (Woodwind), Mr Mark Voogd (Percussion) and Mr Robert Westlake (Guitar) for all of their work in putting together the program, to Ms Ann Butler for taking some brilliant photos of the event and all of the instrumental music students involved for their performances. We hope this will be the first of many shows and lunchtime concerts on our new stage.
VSSS18 and VSSS19
On Saturday 8th December on Channel 7 there was the special two-hour broadcast of the 2018 Victorian State Schools Spectacular, in which a number of students from the College featured. The show is also simulcast nationally via live streaming on the 7plus app and website. For those who missed the broadcast on Saturday night, there is an extended version of the Spectacular available to watch nationally on 7plus following the 8th December broadcast. www.7plus.com.au
We have also been accepted to participate in the Mass Choir again next year – students who are interested in being involved next year will receive information via the student bulletin and school newsletter early in Term 1. Students will receive a certificate for participating in the Spectacular as well as have their name in the souvenir program. Participating in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular is free for all students and costumes are provided to all schools at no extra cost. Students are required to purchase a Spectacular t-shirt, which the Performing Arts Unit will provide at cost price of $25.00.
Laura Baker-Goldsmith
Head of Performing Arts