Music Notes

Students perform at Royal Melbourne Hospital

It has been well documented that listening to and making music has calming and healing effects on people.

For the past 21 years music therapy staff at the Royal Melbourne Hospital have been further developing this to create one of the most incredible alternate therapy opportunities for patients. The dedicated staff work tirelessly to provide music therapy of all kinds for hospital patients and during the first week of May they extend an offer to schools to share the joy of music through their Live Music Is Good For You festival.

Once again, Preshil musicians from Years 7-11 entertained and indeed captivated patients and their visiting families, nurses, doctors and staff. The All In Group, Pavement Choir and Strings Attached  had the audience’s complete attention, creating an atmosphere of fun, excitement and sheer pleasure. Gulliver Poole, Amelie Justin, Sam Wood, Lucinda Greene, Sam Heeps, Audrey Robinson and Max McCafferty all performed solos, bringing the house down with their passionate, committed and heart-felt performances.

The music therapy team was so excited with the performance of "What A Wonderful World" by Strings Attached  that they asked us to repeat the performance so they could join us and sing along. It was a day filled with beautiful music, spirited energy and immense pride of our wonderful musicians at Preshil.

Sincere thanks to parents, Katrina Holmes a Court and Tahlee Campese, who came along to support the musicians and transport instruments. Thanks also to the instrumental staff for helping the students prepare for the performance, as well as music staff Michelle Berner, Natasha Prewett and Atilla Kuti for being there to help support us on the day.

1940s dress code for our jazz night at Dizzy's

Monday 28 May, 6pm arrival for a 6.30pm show

Our annual Jazz Night is one of the highlights on the Preshil music calendar and for many years now students and teachers have come together to perform their favourite jazz tunes.

We have never before had a dress code for a music concert but this year we would like to bring a 1940s-style theme to the night, as much of the music is from that era.

Introducing a dress code for the performers brings a sense of ‘professional’ formality to the occasion. We love that the kids express themselves but it is also important for them to learn how to dress appropriately for an event.

Of course, not everyone will have these clothes at hand so op shop and market finds are perfectly appropriate. Age appropriate cocktail attire is what we are hoping for. Please do not go all out and feel like you need to spend a lot of money - perhaps something from the grandparents’ wardrobe would suit? Our audience is also encouraged to join in the fun and dress up too, even in a tokenistic way.

Please see your invitation separately in this newsletter – and we look forward to your company as we get 'In The Mood' for a wonderful evening of jazz from our talented musicians and sirens of song.

Afternoon "soirées" for students in the instrumental music program

Students are encouraged to join us one afternoon after school to play their particular instrument of study and listen to others doing likewise.

These half-hour sessions are a great opportunity for them to practise performing in front of a small audience as well as to hear others of varying ages, levels of ability and experience who are also studying that instrument, or one from the same family group.

We extend a warm invitation to our music parents and friends to join us at these instrument-specific sessions, held on the following dates:

o   Monday 21 May @ 3pm, Arlington Hall

Wind Power (saxophone, flute, clarinet, trumpet and trombone)

o   Tuesday 22 May @ 3pm, Library

Strumming (electric, acoustic and bass guitar)

o   Wednesday 23 May @ 3pm, Music Room

Drum Attack (drum kit and percussion)

o   Monday 28 May @ 3pm, Media Space

Stringy Things (violin, viola, cello and bass)

o   Tuesday 29 May @ 3pm, The Blackbox

Keys to Keys (piano)

o   Wednesday 30 May @ 3pm, Arlington Hall

Heavenly Voices (voice)

Termination of lessons

This is a friendly reminder that four weeks' notice in term time is required if your child does not wish to continue learning an instrument in Term 3. Please email judy.o'donnell@preshil.vic.edu.au by Monday 28 May. Otherwise, all enrolments are considered ongoing into the new term.

by Karoline Kuti, teacher of Music/

Music Coordinator