Junior School music update

Our Junior School musicians have certainly worked hard this term in their instrumental and theory studies, as well as preparing for The Lion King Jnr musical, through icy weather and colds, flu and COVID.  I congratulate those students who have performed instrumental solos at school this term, such as in an assembly, chapel service or at a recital:

• Myra P (Year 1 – violin)
• Lili M (Year 3 – violin)
• Ava S (Year 3 – violin)
• Katerina B (Year 4 – piano)
• Emily B-F (Year 4 – violin)
• Alexandra C (Year 4 – violin)
• Oriana K-K (Year 4 – piano)
• Christina M (Year 4 – double bass)
• Miranda S (Year 4 – violin)
• Olivia B (Year 5 – violin)
• Clara B (Year 5 – clarinet)
• Maddie D (Year 5 – violin)
• Meleri L (Year 5 – violin)
• Abbey M (Year 5 – violin)
• Amy F (Year 6 – viola)
• Tarini B (Year 6 – violin) 
• Viv S (Year 6 – violin duet).

Our Shelford instrumental staff have been letting us know when students have been ready to perform, and we heartily invite all students who learn outside of school to contact us if you have a polished piece ready. Please also let me know of any exciting music achievements outside the school program by emailing me: jthom@shelford.vic.edu.au

All Junior School students have also enjoyed developing their aural skills, listening to lovely performances such as the Senior School trumpets rendition of the Last Post at the Anzac Day Service; the Senior School Jazz Ensemble and more recently the Flinders Quartet. Our JDC Choir sang for the Mothers’ Day Service and Sheltones are giving us a sneak peek at The Lion King Jnr. with some singing at the upcoming Winter Solstice.

I wish all of the Junior School the best with their presentation of The Lion King Jnr. next week. From a singers’ perspective, it is certainly a challenge to sing with a strong but beautiful and tuneful tone while dancing at the same time!

Gondwana Voices 'Voices of Angels'

Congratulations to Emily B-F (Year 4) and her sister Chloe B-F (Year 7) who auditioned and gained a place in the Gondwana Voices 'Voices of Angels' program. Gondwana Voices is Australia’s premier children’s choir which auditions members from all over Australia each year. Emily and Chloe will train with hundreds of other singers then present a concert at the Sydney Opera House. 

Practice, practice, practice

I encourage all Junior School students to keep up their instrumental practice over the holidays if you are at home. There is nothing more frustrating than being at a certain standard and then returning after a three week break to find that you can’t play at the same level. We are currently organising a series of instrumental recitals next semester for all Junior School students who have had individual instrumental lessons for at least two terms. It is vital that our young musicians gain performance experience right from the beginning of their studies. More information will be sent home regarding this.

Jenni Thom

Junior School Music Coordinator