Year 7 Orchestra Experience

Friday, July 3rd marked many important milestones for our Year 7 students. They completed their first semester at Kildare, received their first semester report, experienced their first Community Day and during all this, 100 or so students capped off 50 hours of Stage 4 Music with an experience of rehearsing and performing in an orchestra.

Once a semester, our Wind and Chamber Ensembles combine with Year 7 Music classes to create a symphony orchestra of over 50 instrumentalists. Year 7 students learn to play simple riffs on violins, violas, cellos and double basses to accompany orchestral arrangements played by our combined wind and chamber ensembles. Over the course of just a few weeks, skills in holding the instrument, bowing and stopping strings are acquired to ensure a meaningful contribution to the large ensemble. This year, students performed “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran, “Smoke on the Water” by Deep Purple, “Seven Nation Army” by The White Stripes and “Thriller” by Michael Jackson. 

The following are a selection of student reflections on their participation in the Year 7 Orchestra Experience. 

• I found it really enjoyable and had fun learning and practising with my friends and teachers.
   
• I thought orchestra was strict and you didn't have any fun performing or practicing, but during this experience I enjoyed playing my instrument. I also didn't know an orchestra performed pop music like that.
   
• I always just took the orchestral music for granted, not really respecting the effort that goes into learning not only your part, but connecting with the rest of the musicians to make amazing music. I will now respect the effort that people go to, to play in an orchestra.
   
• Playing in a large group casts a spotlight on the point that you are part of a team and how if you mess up that the whole orchestra has your back.

Students who enjoyed the day and would like to learn an instrument at Kildare are encouraged to make inquiries with Mr Thompson and Mr Chaston.

Again, thanks to Mr Thompson, the Wind Ensemble and Chamber Ensemble whose talents are integral to the ongoing evolution and growth of Kildare’s Music program.

David Chaston | Music Teacher