Music News
Rachel Snedden
Instrumental Music Program
INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM
SCHOOL MUSIC GROUP REPORTS
SEMESTER 1 2022
The Lee Street Band members have worked together towards two successful performances so far this year. In term 1 we performed Peter Gunn Theme at assembly, and at the recent Winter Musical Soirée we played Raiders' March. I have been very impressed with the way the musicians are learning to listen to the other instruments as they play, ensuring their own part is interlocking with the rest of the ensemble. There is a lot to think about at once when you play an instrument, and even more when playing with other musicians!
For our next goal, we have set ourselves the challenge of learning Highlights from Star Wars gradually over term 3 and 4, ready for the Summer Musical Soirée. This piece would usually be considered mid high school level so it is no small undertaking, but it was requested by some of the grade 6s who heard our band perform it a few years back, and were inspired to experience playing the same piece. We can't wait to share it with the school community later this year!
Ceri Hills
Band Conductor
This term the Lee Street Choir was led by the accomplished tenor and conductor Alex Gorbatov. Alex taught the Choir some new games and songs. They prepared two songs for the Winter Musical Soirée. One was Fisherman Returning Home by South Australian composer, Ben van Tienen, and the other was Isn’t She Lovely by pioneering musician Stevie Wonder.
Thankyou Alex, for all your energy and expertise!
Emily Bennett
Choir Conductor
Members of the Junior Recorder Ensemble have been learning to play in time together, whilst playing different parts. Each part is important, whether it is the melody, harmony or bass. Keeping an eye on the conductor for the speed is an essential skill to develop. In term 1, we played Running Bear at assembly. We learnt to listen in order to keep together and play at the same speed. We recently played Elephant Street at the Winter Musical Soirée and kept good time, well done!
Rachel Snedden
Junior Recorder Ensemble Conductor
The Senior Recorder Ensemble is comprised of a mix of recorder sized recorders; sopranino, descant, treble, tenor and bass. Each part has an important role in the music. We rely on the basses for the beat and speed, the tenor and treble parts for the harmony, whilst the smaller recorders often play the melody. Our music is complex as each part has its own rhythm. We recently played Boogie Blues at the Winter Music Soirée. Earlier in the year we really enjoyed performing Seb Trinder-Rothin’s composition, Cheese and Hambergers at assembly.
Rachel Snedden
Senior Recorder Ensemble Conductor
This year the String Ensemble gained many new members and an increased number of guitars. Many of the students had not previously worked in a group setting before so it has been great to be in an environment where we are learning to work together on new pieces, listening to each other and collaborating. It has been a wonderful learning tool that has helped develop a great variety of skills and good work habits that bring with it confidence, responsibility, co-operation, teamwork and friendship.
We recently performed two pieces at the Winter Musical Soirée. The first was an old time fiddle tune called Old Joe Clark which featured the guitars plucking the melody and harmony together to start with and then the violins joining in. The second piece was a Jamaican traditional tune which highlighted the violins and needed a strong rhythmic backing from the guitars. The group pulled it all together during our lunch time rehearsals and gave a really strong performance. It was exciting to watch and listen to the initial chaotic sound transform into such an accomplished version. I look forward to working with this group in the next semester!
Kate Connor
String Ensemble Conductor
If you would like more information on the Instrumental Music Program, please visit the school website for more details.