Music Notes

Muse News

Here is what’s happening in music so far this year.

Dungeon Down!

We are temporarily without our beloved dungeon as it flooded and become unsafe to use.

The good news is that we have new ideas about staging, lighting, audience seating and comfort. So, in effect it will be considerably less like an actual dungeon (but it will still be affectionately known as “The Dungeon”).

There is a possibility that we can use the ‘Madhouse’ in place of our regular Dungeon gigs, watch for announcements on Compass for details of that.

ANZAC day

When March the 4th comes around, it’s a cue for me to start preparing for Anzac Day (March forth), so we’re looking at musicians to be involved with Balmoral’s Anzac Day ceremony. Our band for both the hymns and marching were raved about in town last year, as was Renae’s amazing singing!

I’m currently recruiting players to head up and support Balmoral on the day. Hamilton has a strong representation already but being such a small town Balmoral struggles to get musicians for the march.

Investiture success

Thanks to the flutes, the mixed band for the national anthem and the Saxes for ‘Baker Street’, it was a great representation of the music department so early in the year. Great work!

Incidentally the quality of the performance is, I think, a direct result of the regular challenge of performing in the dungeon series. ‘Baker Street’ was already a polished work that needed only the dust to be blown off it.

Hamilton Eisteddfod

I hope to have a strong representation at the Hamilton Eisteddfod this year. It’s know that I don’t have a passion for winning these things, but I’m always concerned that we perform musically and as well as we are able.

The Production

The school production audition booklets will be available soon. As will the forming of a band. Please see the article answering a few unasked questions about the progress of the event.

Thank you for reading this,

Mr. Glenn Hayes

Music coordinator.

All you wanted to know about the Production in 2020

(And possibly more)

A mock interview with the author / composer

Frequently Asked Questions…

Are we doing a production this year?

Oh yes, it’s a musical called “Indira, I do…”

I’ve never heard of it… who wrote it and when was it performed?

              I wrote it, it’s never been performed before.

So, you’re saying we’ll be the best performance of all?

              Sure…

What’s it about?

A shearer named Dave, and his mates and their partners go out to an Indian restaurant, where he meets Indira. Who is working as a waitress for her parents; the owners.

They enter into a romantic relationship while trying to keep it secret at first… Dave is worried about what his mates will say and Indira’s parents have arranged a marriage already for Indira with a man from India.

Sounds short…

              Well there are songs and lots of secondary characters, this just gives you the idea.

What’s it like really?

              It’s like Bollywood meets a shearing shed. Lots of upbeat songs and interesting characters.

Do they get together in the end or die like Romeo and Juliet?

I’m not saying… Spoilers!!!

When will it be on?

              We haven’t set a specific date but we are looking at September or October.

Where will it be on?

We’re Leaning toward the Baimbridge College West Gym, once it has some backstage work done.

Infrequently Asked Questions

You said it was a musical… what band will you use?

              A mixture of our students and adults from the community.

Can I play?

              I don’t know… can you? (But seriously any competent musician is welcome to play with us, I wrote the music so I can modify most of it to suit peoples range and ability.)

Are there any non-singing parts?

              Sort of… everyone sings in the big songs, but there are parts with no solo singing.

Are there any non-speaking parts?

              Yes actually, Bazza and Shazza don’t speak and there are lots of opportunities for extras.

Are there any non-singing, non-speaking, non-acting roles?

              Yes, the character “Sandeep” is only referred to and never seen… But no, you can’t play that character…  I will be needing a Director, Producer, Stage Manager, Ninjas, Musicians and other minions helpers.

What characters are there?

              Indira – An Australian born girl whose parents are Indian and have moved to Australia some time ago.

              Dave – An Aussie shearer and farm hand. He is in his mid-30’s and has never married.

              Jules - A wool classer who works around Dave’s crew. She is beautiful and she knows it.

              Macca- A shearer. A friend of Dave and a disgrace! He likes a drink, and a fight and especially when both happen at the same time.

              Jim - A roustabout and friend of Dave.

              Hugh - A close friend of Dave and firmly of the belief that Dave would be better off with a loving woman in his life.

Manjula- Indira’s mother. An Indian-born woman.

Dakshesh - Indira’s father. An Indian-born man who likes the traditions of India, but is a bit more practical and open minded than Manjula, his wife.

Stu- A roustabout and friend of Dave. Stu is married and sort of happy.

Helen – Macca’s girlfriend, who is actively trying to change him.

Maggie – Hugh’s wife.

Jan – Jim’s wife and a bit of a matriarch to the group.

Deb – Stu’s wife, also sort of happy.

              Bazza and Shazza – they are friends of the group, who get engaged.

As well as ‘the Celebrant’, ‘Girl’ and lots of extras.

Should I audition for a part?     

              Well it’s going to be fun, heaps of fun, but hard work as well. So yes, you should.

How does it compare to Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde?

              It’s completely different, but if you must compare…

This has more…

              Singing, jokes, flirting, shearers, curry, weddings, cast, musicians, drunk people and arranged marriages.

It has about the same…

              Drinking alcohol, lines (for some) and acting.

It has less…

              Fancy language, Butlers, Maids, Narrators, Deaths, Chemicals, internal monologues and split personalities.

Are scripts available?

              Very soon, but only if you’re looking at auditioning at this stage.

Ok, thanks see you there. Will you be in the band?

              I can’t play and conduct the band at the same time, so I’ll be conducting and helping the director, whoever that ends up being. I may also be able to power the stage lights with my nervous energy…

It doesn’t work like that Mr. Hayes.

              Yes thank you, you’re very smart.

Mr. Glenn Hayes,

Music Coordinator,

Baimbridge College.