Music News

Athletics Day

On Monday 14th August, a number of our Year 10 and VCE music students took the opportunity to perform throughout the Athletics Day. The students performed a variety of songs and really enjoy the chance to challenge themselves.

Instruments of the Week

This week I thought we’d introduce the big daddy of the string family, the double bass. Like the Tuba, the double bass has the deepest sound in string ensembles and orchestras, but can also be used in jazz bands, concert bands and rock bands. The double bass creates it’s sound by the use of a bow or by plucking the strings. One thing to be aware of, if interested in the double bass, is you will need a car big enough to fit the instrument to transport it to and from school and performances.

Another low instrument that we’d like to see more students playing is the bass clarinet. This clarinet is shaped like a saxophone, but has a much warmer tone. It also playing the low bass notes like tuba and double bass, but is much quieter. If you are wanting to play an instrument that you can hire for the whole time you are at GSSC, then bass clarinet would be a great option.

Victorian Schools Music Festival

On Wednesday 30th August, the Symphonic Band will be travelling to Hawthorn Arts Centre to perform in the Victorian Schools Music Festival. The students have been busy rehearsing the music for this for the past few months and are looking forward to getting the opportunity to show what they can do to a new audience. The students have an early start with the bus leaving at 7.30am and will be back after a big day at 4pm.

Upcoming Performances

Below is a list of performances to keep an eye out for, coming up during Term 2:

- Victorian Schools Music Festival, 30 August at Hawthorn Arts Centre

- The Symphonic Band, along with some students from Mid Level Band, will be attending this. Details are available on Compass for the students involved.

- VCE Music Night, 12 September

Further information about these will come out closer to the performance dates.

Instrumental Music Program

We still have vacancies on a number of instruments in the instrumental music program, particularly on brass and woodwind. If you are still interested in learning an instrument but have signed up yet, come and see Liesl on Level 1 of the Enterprise building to collect some forms.

Lachlan Gallacher

Director of Music