VCE MUSIC

In 2021 James Caddie as a Year 11 student completed Unit 4 VCE Music. James achieved an excellent result and he has been invited to participate in two wonderful musical experiences, Top Class Music and the Accelerando program.

Top Class Music

Top Class Music features incredible young musicians who received very high grades for their VCE music performance examinations in 2021. Compered by Assessors and the VCAA's Curriculum Manager for the Performing Arts, the concerts present a range of instruments, interpretations and styles by soloists and groups.

James was invited to audition for the Top Class Concerts and we are very pleased to announce that he has now been invited to perform at the Melbourne Recital Centre on March 22nd this year. James has worked continuously over past years to develop his drumming skills to an excellent standard. We expect James to continue his musical journey in the future and we’re sure that he will succeed in his chosen path. James has the skills to play music in many different styles and has an excellent reputation in the music industry already.

Accelerando

The Accelerando Program provides an opportunity for exceptional young artists to take their music to the next level.

A tailored learning program, passionate students with an advanced musical ability on solo instrument or voice will undertake a year-long program working in collaboration with Australia’s premier music facility.

Accelerando musicians will have the opportunity to receive instrumental lessons with leading industry professionals, access world-class concerts, attend Master Classes, participate in music workshops with the highest quality resources and technology, and perform in an end of year recital in Melbourne Recital Centre’s Primrose Potter Salon.

Congratulations to James for his outstanding commitment to his music and we look forward to watching him develop as a musician. Thank you to the Music teachers at Bairnsdale Secondary College for their continual support and inspiration of our Music students.

Instrumental Music

It is great to be back in the music centre playing music again. Already the Swing band has two upcoming performances.

Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions we have had to cancel the information evening scheduled for the start of the year. The main changes to the instrumental music program are concerning hire fees and music levy-see below. All queries about the instrumental music program can be directed to Mrs Kim Green on 5150 4800 during school hours, Monday-Thursday.

Instrumental Music Tuition: $200 per year

Instrument Hire: $200 per year

Hire/Purchase: Costs vary depending on the instrument purchased

Music Staff & Teaching Days

Mr James Newman-Monday, Tuesday & Friday

Clarinet, Saxophone, Electric Bass, Percussion, Swing Band, Improvisation Group & Senior Concert Band

Ms Robyn Keane-Tuesday, Wednesday Thursday & Friday

Classroom Music & Choir

Mrs Kim Green-Mon, Tues, Wed & Thurs

Music Co-ordinator, Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute, Oboe, Junior Band, Intermediate Band & Senior Concert Band

Mr John Smith-Thursday

Trombone, Euphonium & Percussion

Ms Rosemary Iverson-Wednesday & Thursday

Violin, Viola, Cello & Double Bass

Mr Peter Bennett-Tuesday

Guitar

Mr Kees Dogger, Monday

Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn, Tuba, Euphonium, Percussion & Electric bass

Ensemble Timetable

ENSEMBLE	DAY	TIME	LEVEL
Junior Band	Tuesday (TBC)	Lunchtime	Beginners
Intermediate Concert Band	Thursday	3.30-4.30pm	Intermediate
Senior Concert Band	Tuesday Friday	3.30-5.00pm Lunchtime	Advanced
String Ensemble	Wednesday	3.30-4.30pm	Intermediate/Advanced
Senior Strings	Wednesday	Lunchtime	Advanced
Junior Strings	Thursday	Lunchtime	Juniors
Guitar Ensemble	Tuesday	Lunchtime	All Levels
Swing Band	Monday	3.30-5.00pm	Advanced
Choir	Thursday	Rotating	All Levels
Improvisation Group	Monday	Lunchtime	Intermediate/Advanced

All lessons have started. Most ensembles have started. Junior Band, Junior Strings and Guitar Ensemble will start in a few weeks time.

Recruitment

All Year 7 students attended an information session outside under the basketball courts last Thursday. Students met the staff, and were able to find out a bit about how the music program runs and were introduced to some instruments. The invitation for students to come down to the music centre, meet the teachers and try some instruments was enthusiastically met and it has been exciting to see many join the program. There are still places available on brass and woodwind instruments.

This year the music program is offering a special scholarship for students learning the tuba. The tuition fees will be waved for the year.

New Teacher

This year we are excited to welcome Mr Peter Bennett into the music program. Peter will be teaching guitar on Tuesdays.

Peter Bennett has been a musician /educator his entire working career. He enjoys many styles of music and has played Guitar in Jazz, Rock, Classical, Folk and Country bands as a professional. As a consequence of working in different musical areas, he has learnt other instruments such as the Double Bass, Electric Bass, Ukulele, Mandolin, Slide Guitar, Synthesiser Guitar and Guitar Banjo.

After being appointed Regional Music Coordinator of North Queensland, Peter then played music for a living on the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland such as Hamilton, Hayman and Brampton and has worked all along the East coast of Australia including Sydney and Melbourne and many country regions.

He studied advanced Jazz studies at the Sydney Conservatorium, then earnt a degree in Music with double majors in Composition and Music Performance at the University of Western Sydney, a Graduate Diploma of Education at the University of Melbourne with first class honours in Instrumental teaching and a Masters of Music Technology at the University of Newcastle. Peter still likes learning Guitar himself and in 2015 he travelled overseas to study with some great teachers in the USA.

Next to music and guitar, Peter loves Kelpies and motoring or sailing on the Gippsland Lakes.

Important Dates

Friday 25th February Swing Band at the Bairnsdale Golf Club (7:00-10:00pm)

Saturday 26th February Swing Band at Paynesville Music Festival (10:30-11:30am)

Dates to remember