Music News

Chris MITCHELL

Director of Music

Instrumental Lessons

A few reminders for students regarding instrumental lessons:

• Please check your lesson times carefully each week, and again the day before the lesson. Write yourself a reminder if you need it so you remember to attend (or if you use a BYOD, set a reminder using a calendar app such as Outlook).
• If you will miss a lesson please see your teacher or send your teacher an e-mail in advance. In some cases, the lesson time may be able to be re-arranged but this is not always possible.
• Please ensure you complete regular practice as advised by your teacher. Some teachers will write practice requirements in the Compass lesson plan, so please check this.
• With various concerts coming up, there are much more likely to be changes to lesson times and days than usual, so please be checking even more carefully!

Ensembles

All ensembles have now resumed for 2023. Ensemble sessions should appear in the student’s Compass schedule. 

A reminder to students in AT529 that for terms 3 & 4, they will join Intermediate Strings (string students) or Intermediate Concert Band (brass / woodwind students). Please ensure you keep the appropriate afternoon free.

^ AT529 is Semester 1 only. Students will be allocated to intermediate strings or intermediate concert band for Semester 2. 

* audition only group taken in addition to a core ensemble.

Harmonix Choir

All students are encouraged to join Highvale’s Harmonix Choir. Rehearsals are in the Theatre at lunchtimes (1.10pm start) on Fridays, and provides a great opportunity to be make new friends, become more connected to the school community and enjoy making music, without having to sign up for instrumental lessons. Speak to Mr Nguyen (Thursdays & Fridays) or Mr Mitchell if you’d like to know more.

NEVR Concert, Hamer Hall, May 29th

The annual North Eastern Victoria Region (NEVR) youth concert is back for 2023! We have over 70 students from Highvale Secondary College who have been successful in their applications to take part. Please make sure to attend the required rehearsals, noting that students / parents must organise their own transport to the venues. For the sound check day on May 29th, we will organise to meet and dismiss students at Glen Waverley Train Station. Further details will be posted in a Compass event and via e-mail.

Winter Concert – Tuesday June 20th 

Our Winter Concert this year is a little different: we are having two entirely different shows on the one afternoon!

The 4.30pm show will involve students in Nouveau Strings, Junior Concert Band, Rhythm Riders, AT529 Orchestra, Intermediate Strings and Intermediate Concert Band. There will also be some great solos and small ensembles! Students in this show will stay at school after the conclusion of the regular school day, and will be dismissed at the conclusion of this concert at approximately 5.45pm.

The 6.30pm show will involve students in Symphonic Band, Symphonic Strings, Stage Band, Chamber Strings, Stick Tricks, Harmonix and Vocal Ensemble. The Symphonic Band & Symphonic Strings group will also combine to create our HSC Orchestra, and we’ll also have some great solos and small ensembles! Students in this show will be expected to arrive at school no later than 5:45pm and will need to stay until the end of the concert.

Both shows will be livestreamed. Tickets to attend in person will also be available via TryBooking closer to the concert. Each concert will be ticketed separately – one ticket will not get you into both shows.

There may be some students who are in both concerts.

Unless otherwise advised, all students are expected to be in full concert dress. This means:

• Black collared shirt with no logos;
• Black dress pants with black socks OR a black dress skirt with black stockings;
• Black polished shoes

2023 Performances

For your forward planning, please see the proposed 2023 performances below. If you are unsure if your student will be required on a particular date, please contact the music department for confirmation.