Music
Generations In Jazz
On Friday the 9th of May the College Big Band went to Mt Gambier to participate in the Generations in Jazz Festival. It was an incredible experience with over 200 schools (approx. 3000 students) from all over Australia playing and participating in the festival. On the Friday and Saturday evenings there was a variety of different performances including Marion Petresco, an incredible pianist from Romania, The Idea of North, the Australian vocal group, James Morrison, the famous Australian trumpeter and finally the Big Phat Band that had come over from America and sounded amazing. All the performers were incredibly entertaining.
On Saturday morning we had to play our pieces which we had spent a lot of mornings and evenings perfecting. The first piece we played was Country Cool, the compulsory piece for our division, it sounded great. The next song was our ballad, Sunshine of My Life, featuring vibraphone and tenor saxophone soloists playing the vocal line. Finally, our third and final piece was Bubbert “Takes the Train” which we had changed to include an introduction which we had created and included a vocal line and train whistle. Whilst we had been anticipating this performance for a long time, we were all pleased and happy when it was over and all were satisfied with the results. After our performance we were free to observe and listen to other schools, many of which had an incredible skill level which completely blew us away.
The final day comprised of workshops for the different sections run by the members of the Big Phat Band. At the workshops they discussed and demonstrated the different ways in which we could improve our playing both individually and as a section. The members of the Big Phat Band also played, showing off their talents and what they had previously discussed in the workshops. We were all in awe of what they were playing especially considering that it was improvised. The festival was an incredible experience and the hard effort we had put in was certainly worth it. Special thanks to the Music Staff, in particular Mr Hambly and Mr Saluni, for persisting with us as well as conducting and organising us. Also thanks to Mr Hayton who drove us to and from Mt Gambier. Next year we hope to be able to go again and take a vocal group to perform as well.
By Kent Bennett Yr 11