Performing Arts
James Lonnen - The journey of an AMEB Grade 8 piano candidate!
James Lonnen of 10D recently completed his grade eight AMEB (Australian Music Examinations Board) Piano examination, and if you've ever prepared for an AMEB exam of any grade, let alone one of the higher grades such at eighth grade, you'll understand that this is a very large time commitment and an achievement that you can be very proud of. Below, James tells us about his journey from preparing for this exam up to 12 months prior, to the extra hours of practice involved after a long day of school, and what actually happens in the examination room as he talks about the variety of content that candidates are assessed on. Well done James!
"The preparation for my grade 8 piano exam began about a year ago. The comprehensive exam requires you to learn 4 pieces, each from different eras and demonstrating different musical styles and also involves preparing a significant amount of technical work. In the beginning, when learning the pieces, I practised for at least 1 hour every day. At around March this year, I booked in for my piano exam which was scheduled for about halfway through term 2. On top of all the pieces, I also needed to practise aural tests and sight-reading regularly leading up to the exam, as well as memorising general information about the pieces such as the composer's background, the era, structure of the piece, technical terms and key changes.
In the 2 months leading up to the exam, I practised 3 hours a day, basically non-stop after I got back home from school until I ate dinner. When the day of the exam finally arrived, I went to the AMEB exam centre in Hawthorn, anxiously warmed up on a practice piano under special covid safe conditions and then was eventually called in to sit my piano exam. The first part of the exam involved playing technical exercises, scales and arpeggios followed by playing all four of my pieces, one of which was 10 pages long! The examiner sat in the corner of the room, writing notes and listening intently. Finally, I had to answer questions about each piece, complete some aural tests and sight-read a short piece. The following week, I joyfully received the news that I'd been given an A.
Preparing for, and sitting my exam has improved my piano playing over the years as in each grade, the pieces become progressively more challenging, and thus you gradually become more skilled in both piano technique and musicianship. I am now enjoying learning lots of varied pieces, from Bach, Beethoven, Brahms to Chopin and will set my sights on doing my AMusA once I've completed VCE." James Lonnen
Let's hear from some of our Instrumental Music students
It was so fascinating reading about James' musical journey that we have decided to add some 'player profiles' from students who are currently enrolled in our Instrumental Music program. Enjoy the insights below:
PLAYER PROFILE - Taneka Huber
Who: Taneka Huber
Year Level: 10
Any cool nicknames at school? – Tananeka, TT
What instruments do you play? – Piano and Cello
Who is your instrumental music teacher/s at Koonung? – Mr Verco
What school ensembles do you play in? – String ensemble
When did you start learning to play music? – When I was 5 and a half years old.
What is your favourite song to play? – Someone like you: Adele, Pachelbel’s
canon or playing my own songs/improvising.
What bands or musicians do you like to listen to? – Eminem, Dido, Queen, Maroon 5, Fall Out Boy, Olivia Rodrigo, Shakira, Twenty-One pilots, Adele.
What is your most memorable performance to date? – Cello: playing a duet with Ben Harding at Kerrimuir Primary School Fair; for other music: performing at the KSC year 7 BBQ in February 2021.
What is your most memorable musical learning experience? – Playing at the
school concerts because it helped me learn initiative and gain confidence.
What other non/musical hobbies or interests do you have? – horse riding, fencing sports and
writing: currently writing a novel and a children’s book, and cooking.
What do you hope to achieve with your music in the future? – I hope to use the knowledge I have gained from my extensive amount of varied experiences to help me become a better singer/songwriter and musician to share my music with others.
What is your favourite food to eat? - Cheese!!
What is the silliest thing you’ve ever said, done or worn (Chicken Suit?)? – It’s hard to name only one specific time as my best friend Maya C and I always do lots of fun challenges and crazy things. For example, when we were on holiday, we did the dizzy water waiter challenge in the whole public's view. We ended up extremely wet, dizzy and covered in grass from falling over. We got a lot of very confused stares!!
Another example is when Maya, my sister, her friend and myself all tried to fit on this one go-cart-type bike and we were basically sitting on top of each other riding along a VERY bumpy road…
Editors Note:
We have since learnt that an original song, performed by Taneka, is now out on the Triple J Unearthed website. It is beautiful and well worth clicking on the following link for a listen:
https://www.triplejunearthed.com/jukebox/play/track/10582691
PLAYER PROFILE - Jack Stabek
Who: Jack Stabek
Year Level: Year 11
What instruments do you play? - Trombone, Piano, and really anything that I feel like picking up and having some fun with!
Who is your instrumental music teacher/s at Koonung? - Trombone is Ms Sue Cook, but as a result of an extended absence, I am currently under the instruction of Mr Joshua Verco (go the bones)! Piano is Ms Kathryn Rogers!
What school ensembles do you play in? - Swing Band, Brass Quartet, Senior Band, Concert Band. You name it, I'm in it!
When did you start learning to play music? - Well, music goes back a long time with me. I started piano all the way back in 2011 so I've been playing for just over 10 years now! I started the trombone briefly in Year 5, picking it back up in 2018 and only fully realising the potential of the instrument in late 2019. But long before then I would make up rhythms and melodies on whatever I could find around!
What is your favourite song to play? - To be honest, I enjoy playing all sorts of music, so I can't really list a favourite. But some of the genres and styles of music that appeal to me include Jazz, Swing, Orchestra (including classical) and Musical Theatre.
What bands or musicians do you like to listen to? - Some of the various musicians and bands I enjoy listening to include Joseph Alessi, Wayne Bergeron, Alma Deutscher, and Tommy Dorsey, among other musicians and brass players. Some of the bands I enjoy listening to include various Symphony Orchestras, Mnozil Brass, certain brass groups such as quartets and trombone choirs, and really anything out there that might strike my interest!
What is your most memorable performance to date? - My most memorable performance to
date would have to be the 2021 Koonung Secondary College Musical, "All Shook Up".
I was the only student in a band of professional adult musicians, also being the youngest member in that band to date (as far as I've been told). I played the trombone in all seven performances, each running for around 3 hours. It was such an amazing experience and not only did I enjoy playing the often challenging yet fun and exciting score, but I learnt so much and made many valuable connections, and felt I developed not only as a musician but a person. You can almost guarantee that I'll be back for next year's musical!
What is your most memorable musical learning experience? - This would also have to be the 2021 KSC Musical 'All Shook Up'. Whilst it was my most memorable performance to date, it also gave me a valuable insight into the professional performing scene of music and gave me real world experience, in addition to the school-based performance and rehearsal experience I have had for years. Not only do I feel that I developed as a musician, but also as a person!
What other non/musical hobbies or interests do you have? - Aside from music and the practice and dedication associated with this (which is a large part of my life), I do enjoy various other hobbies and interests. These include photography (nature- and macro- photography), entomology (both scientifically and artistically), and bushwalking (adventuring and exploring nature).
What do you hope to achieve with your music in the future? - In the future I would love to get the chance to work in the 'studio scene', sort of commercial music, but including in the pit for musicals. Orchestra does sound quite interesting, although with more experimentation and experiences I will have to determine whether this is something I am particularly interested in. Becoming a pit musician for musicals or productions appeals to me, especially having since being involved with the band for the school musical!
What is your favourite food to eat? - I have many favourite foods, but if I had to list some, I would say I enjoy sushi, beef ragu, lasagne, and really anything that my mum cooks :)
What is the silliest thing you’ve ever said, done or worn (Chicken Suit?)? - Not quite a silly story, but still a pretty interesting one at that... Back when I was in kindergarten there was a visiting brass band, and they invited me up onto the little 'stage' at the front of the classroom to have a look at the band and everything. When I was walking up, the trombonist did the iconic glissando from Bb to F (a whole slide movement - the first thing you think of when you think 'trombone'), and as he slid the slide out to the end it hit me in the head. They all asked if I was alright and I said I was fine. It's from that moment on I was destined to play the trombone, I believe - almost as if the destiny of playing the trombone had literally just hit me!
The many ways of playing bass
There are many fun ways and techniques to play notes on the Bass Guitar! During Bass lessons at school, Zachary Wijaya of 8D has been learning that one of those techniques is to use a guitar pick, which is great for Rock songs!! Here's Zachary performing the Kings Of Leon's song, "Molly's Chambers", from the Rock School Bass Grade 2 syllabus.
Here's what Zac says: "After learning the picking technique on the bass, I feel as though I am more aware of everything, such as the positioning of my fingers or the quality of the sound that is being produced. As well as that, learning this technique has given me a new way to play the bass; with different sounds and a different overall feel."
A great effort Zac!
Joshua Verco
Instrumental Music Instructor - Electric Bass, Double Bass & Cello
The Koonung Choir’s Winter Wonderland
In 2020, the Koonung School Choir embarked upon a journey through the magic and multiculturalism of Disney with recent classics, “We Know the Way” from Moana and the “Frozen Choral Suite” from Frozen. Unfortunately due to last year’s lockdown, the Choir’s rendition of “We Know the Way” from Moana was performed as a video, and the Frozen Choral Suite was put on indefinite hold.
The Choir came back in 2021, ready and eager to re-examine the Frozen Choral Suite. This arrangement includes highlights of the main themes in Frozen, largely sung in Old Norse. Sadly, we were plunged back into yet another lockdown, resulting in the postponement of our Winter Concert. As such, we filmed a video of our performance that you can enjoy from the comfort and warmth of your own home.
This performance marks the end of my time as Choir Conductor at Koonung. I have immensely enjoyed being part of the Choir and I wish to thank all of the students who have been involved over the past 3 years for their contributions and efforts. Thank you also to Ms Kathryn Rogers for her piano accompaniment, we could not have done this without you! I am very pleased to pass on the baton to our Voice teacher, Ms Rachael Kane, who will be co-conducting with Music teacher, Mr Matt Brown. I am sure that they will continue to build the Choir with their knowledge and expertise.
2021 Winter Music Concert update
The Winter Music Concert will now be online. Details to follow.
Olivia Foy
Performing Arts Domain Leader
Mathematics and Music Teacher