Music Highlights

Unearthed High Winner 2018 Kian

Congratulations Kian on winning Triple J's Unearthed High Competition. The whole school was gathered on the oval to hear the announcement following the "emergency evacuation" from the gym. Kian graciously agreed to perform his song in it's entirety after his first attempt was rudely interrupted! Thank you to all students, staff and visitors who were part of this  amazing celebration.  And well done to Kian, a true talent.  Read more in the Triple J article below. 

Orchestra Victoria Workshop

Many Castlemaine Secondary College music students attended a 3 day intensive orchestral experience program in Bendigo run by Orchestra Victoria. This exciting program allowed our students the chance to be part of a full symphony orchestra, and to receive tuition from some of the state’s finest orchestral musicians and educators. Over the three days, students took part in a series of tutorials and whole orchestra rehearsals, as well as pop-up performances with their instrument group. The program concluded with a performance in Ulumbarra Theatre. This concert is often spoken about by students as one of the highlights of their musical year. The standard achieved on the challenging and extensive repertoire is a credit to both the OV staff and students who take part.    

Maisie Mellick Cooper (violin, year 9) made the following reflections on her experience:

“I enjoyed learning the medley from “Frozen”, because it was ‘dancey’ and physical, and you really got into it as you played it, and I also really like the “Trumpeter’s Lullaby”. The tutorials were really helpful – the other students and the tutors were all helpful if you were struggling with your part. I learnt a lot from watching the conductor – he was very energetic and wild and it gave the whole orchestra a bit of hype. The hardest thing about the experience were the fast passages in our parts, which we got better at as the week went on.” 

On Sunday 26th August, the CSC String department hosted

students and staff from Monash University for a collaborative workshop

day and concert at Buda.

Castlemaine SC students joined forces with Monash students to

perform "Italiana" (from Respighi's 3rd Suite for Lute), Basse Dance

(from the Capriol Suite by Peter Warlock), a medley by Yann Tiersen

(from the film "Amelie"), and Astor Piazzolla's famous Libertango.

Monash lecturer Lisa Grosman was a thoroughly engaging string

pedagogue and violist, and her leadership of the workshop was packed

full of string technique ideas and musical insights. It was also a

great experience for our students to sit as desk partners with the

Monash students, who shared playing tips with our students and boosted their confidence by providing strong playing to perform alongside.

The Monash students also presented a viola quintet (played mostly by

violinists on viola, as viola studies are a component of the Monash

Bachelor of Music) and a work for harp and guitar. The concert

concluded with Beethoven's extraordinary String Quartet in C # Minor,

Op 131, presented by the Fidelio Quartet.

Thanks to all of the families who provided lunch for the day and extra

special thanks to Rose Demaria, Beth Mellick and Patricia Cridge for

extra help on the day.

Kirsten Boerema

Music Coordinator