Music Matters
Music Matters
MUSIC CAMP
This week we were very grateful to be able to hold the annual Music Camp that we missed so much last year. Ninety-seven students from all year levels travelled to Camp Oasis in Mt. Evelyn from Monday to Wednesday, with an extra eight senior students joining us on Tuesday.
The days were filled with lots of music-making, as well as fun activities such as Flying Fox, Archery, Rock Climbing, Candle Making, Reptile House and Crate Climb as well as eating fabulous food from the magnificent Oasis chef. All our ensembles worked brilliantly under the expert guidance of our amazing team of instrumental staff, preparing pieces to be played at the Winter Concert that was planned for the 1st of June. All the students showed great improvement over the three days, especially our new Year 7 recruits who have been playing their instruments for less than a few months but were able to get through some challenging pieces with impressive results.
After dinner on Monday (Lamb Souvlaki), students enjoyed singing songs and scoffing toasted marshmallows around the campfire, led by Mr Iap, Jamie Blacker and Oliver Dean on guitar, and Ms Millard and Lovisa Forsberg on the ukulele. We then got together for some team building games before settling down to watch the movie “Soul” with freshly baked cookies.
Tuesday saw more rehearsals and activities but with the added bonus of the senior day-trippers joining in the fun. One of the highlights of the camp was the combined rehearsal for our Winter Concert massed item. All 105 students came together in the gymnasium to play the theme from Austin Powers “Soul Bossa Nova”. An incredible feat that we hope we can perform to an audience in the not too distant future.
Meanwhile, we hope you can enjoy the video of our rehearsal below.
Tuesday evening saw the traditional talent show on the Camp Oasis stage. This included a huge variety of performances from a sax quartet, to the piano and cello solos, to wild renditions of the Chats “Smoko” and the crowd favourite “Dumb Ways To Die”. Lots of fun was had by all and all the performers loved their prizes selected thoughtfully by Mrs Howes.
Wednesday saw the final rehearsals before a concert where all the ensembles showed off the fruits of all their hard work to their peers. All the performances were outstanding and showed what is possible with focussed effort over a short period of time. The instrumental teachers commented on how great the students sounded after the three days of playing. Every student is to be commended on their engagement in rehearsals and we hope they enjoy the benefits gained from their efforts.
Big thank yous go out to the non-music staff who attended, Ms Millard, Mr Iap and the welfare placement student Bristi who all contributed hugely to the success of the camp. Also to our dedicated instrumental staff, Mr Brodie, Mr Dean, Mr Dillon, Mr O’Connell, Mr Ondaatje, Mr Rowlands and Mr Verco. The biggest thank you must go to Mrs Howes for her tireless efforts to organise this wonderful camp experience. Everything ran like clockwork thanks to her attention to detail and incredible dedication.
It is greatly appreciated by all the staff and students involved. We hope we can do it all again next year!
GUITAR DAY
On Wednesday, 26 May, while the rest of the Music Department was on Music Camp, the ten guitar students in the guitar ensemble, led by Mr Sheers, had a special day to themselves at school. The day was filled with rehearsing their Winter Concert performance piece and of course a pizza lunch. By the end of the day, the students had made huge progress and we look forward to seeing the results of their hard work when we reschedule the Winter Concert.
WINTER CONCERT
We are very saddened to announce that the Winter Concert planned for this Tuesday 1st June has been cancelled due to the current Covid restrictions. We hope to be able to announce a rescheduled date for which tickets already purchased can be honoured.
LATEST LOCKDOWN AND INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC LESSONS
Instrumental lessons will continue as scheduled on Compass, online via Teams meetings with instrumental teachers next week.
Music in 2021
IMPORTANT DATES
June 1 – Winter Concert (CANCELLED - to be rescheduled to a later date)
August 27 – String Soiree
September 9 – Rock Showcase
October 19 – Spring Concert
Nick Dean
Music Coordinator