MUSIC NEWS

ENSEMBLES DURING LOCKDOWN

It has been a great time for music teachers in the last few weeks hearing the progress that their students have been making. I have been really pleased to see the work that the ensembles are undertaking in this lockdown. Students have benefited from feedback from their teachers in this setting, and are now being encouraged to record their pieces (both solo and ensemble) for teachers and ensemble directors.

MUSIC NIGHTS

Instrument group specific nights are in the process of being organised - many parents of brass instrument students know that their students have been diligently recording their parts for their group pieces. Singing students are also being encouraged to submit their recordings, and these are being compiled and specific instrument performance platforms will be released shortly.

GIGS ON THE SCREEN

We are launching “Gigs on the Screen” next week and look forward to many students sending their videos in. All information is now available via the newsfeed. We are launching with the fantastic Year 10 student Andrew Seamer performing Libertango by Astor Piazzolla on the violin.

UNLOCK’D MUSIC COMPETITION

An exciting opportunity has been announced. The Australian Guild of Music has kicked off the UNLOCK'D music competition and are inviting students in Years 10-12 to submit notated and/or recorded original music compositions for cash and recording studio prizes. They want to give students an incentive to break the frustration of lockdown with a chance to unlock their creative potential - especially those who are doing music VCE, VET or VCAL subjects - in time to enter their work for a prize, recording and some publicity.

VIRTUAL BRASS NIGHT

Ms Videon and Mr Serebriank have been working with ALL the brass students over the last few weeks making a "Virtual Brass Night" submissions. This will be available online in the next week or so.

Here is the first video that Mr Serebriank put together of McKinnon Year 10 Brass and Bass students playing at home. There are nine students who filmed themselves at home playing Police's song "Don't Stand So Close to Me" (possibly Covid related). The results are encouraging and will eventually form a larger Brass Night video presentation featuring solos, duets and other groups. 

Students recorded themselves on their phones playing often with their parents working in the next room, so the elements are not ideal, but the effort and engagement cannot be faulted. These were then compiled into the "zoom" type video grid. Please enjoy!

HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Continuing our celebration of the House Music Festival, held at the end of Term 1 just before isolation 1.0 began, I have pleasure in sharing with you the Chisholm Choir, and the Gilmore Instrumental. It is so pleasing to be able to share with you our last live performance and see the amazing work that the music House Captains did to prepare that night.

Thank you to our AV technician Nick Xanthoudakis who has been working on editing these fantastic House Music clips over the last few weeks.

Megan Papworth

Head of Music