MUSIC NEWS & PHILOSOPHY OF MUSIC

BUSY TIMES IN MUSIC DEPARTMENT

What an amazing fortnight it has been this week in the Music Department. 

THISTLELONIAN’S  REUNION

Thank you to Clarinet Choir for performing at the Thistlelonian’s Year of '65 class reunion. The ensemble performed a polished and entertaining program under the baton of Ms Su Rogerson to delight of the many past McKinnon students attending the function.

SENIOR STAGE BAND AT VSMF

On Thursday 27 August, Senior Stage Band participated at the Victorian School Music Festival held at the Australian Institute of Music. The VSMF invites school bands and orchestras to perform in some of Victoria’s premier performing spaces to present the results of all the hard work and dedication of ensemble rehearsals. The festival provides schools with the opportunity to work with leading music educators.

Our students presented a vibrant, varying and exciting program that included two set pieces and a free choice composition. After their performance, chief adjudicator, Rob McWilliams, gave an onstage tutorial to the ensemble and commended them on their outstanding technique, tone quality, rhythmic accuracy and interpretation. For their fantastic efforts, the band received a Platinum award and we would like to congratulate them on their success. Special mention goes to the soloists Jessica Earls, Daniel Shaw, Jack Doherty-Brown, Alexia Samiotis, Moran Zhou and George Inglis.

SOUTH STREET COMPETITION – ORCHESTRA

Saturday 29 August was a day of great excitement and some sadness for members of the McKinnon Orchestra. The excitement was in travelling with a great group of musicians and friends up to the country and bringing months of work and preparation to fruition in this important event: the sadness was in the fact that for many it would be the last opportunity to do that as part of McKinnon. The many Year 12 students in the orchestra will be finishing up in a few weeks, and sadly, it was the last occasion where the orchestra would be conducted by the founder of the ensemble, Mr Tony Brookes.

After a final rehearsal, students shared some fabulous cakes they had baked as a tribute to Mr Brookes before boarding the bus for Ballarat. Having enjoyed dinner in the Bakery Hill precinct, our small but gallant orchestra descended on the Memorial Theatre and had time to enjoy hearing some great repertoire performed by another school before squeezing to the warm up room to prepare.  Andy Zhan stormed the barricades to get to the piano and Jamie Morrissey discovered it is possible to adjust a bass clarinet with a teaspoon if necessary!

The orchestra presented extremely well on stage and performed a lengthy and challenging program with good blend and balance. Individual solo sections were played with musicality and flair which gave added sparkle to the performance. After our set, there was time to listen to one more excellent group before starting the long trek home. As yet we are still awaiting results and feedback, but the main goal of performing and enjoying great music amongst peers from schools across Victoria was most triumphantly achieved.  The adjudicators felt they did well playing some very challenging repertoire.

PERCUSSION CONCERT

A hot night’s entertainment was provided on Monday 31 August by the fantastic percussion students and their teacher Mr Golovko.  Thank you to the many solos, duos and group performances that took place over the night as the level of musicianship was exceedingly high.  Congratulations on a fantastic effort.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES

Please note these dates in your diary for the term for upcoming Performance Opportunities for Term 3:

• VCE (Unit 4) Music Performance Celebration - Thursday 10 September
• Senior Concert, Farewell to the Year 12 Students – Tuesday 15 September

Megan Papworth

Head of Music – Classroom

MUSIC: LIVING THE 'GOOD LIFE'

What could teenagers and senior citizens possibly have in common? Appreciation and love of music! After days of touring, some interesting conversations were taking place among the students.  What would the next gig be like? Would they be liked? "The average age is like over 80 years old. I hope no one dies during our set."  "Yeah right, but at least they'd die while doing something they liked."  These students were talking about what matters in life; In effect, doing philosophy!

Some may question why students (and teachers!) would give up their weekend to perform for strangers from far away generations of the past. Any onlooker could see the gradual exhilaration of the musician’s peak with the guidance of their teachers and the welcoming reception of their audience. It was a transcendental experience.

The weekend atmosphere with these creative beings forced me into a state of reflection.  Apart from a few weeks of piano lessons when I was thirteen years old, there was.. is... no musical talent here. I remember being frustrated because I couldn't understand the language necessary to communicate with music. 

Music is the medium which transcends race, age and time. It is truly a gift for both those who can bestow it onto others and for those willing and open to experiencing it. The philosophy talk continued over pizza. "So do we need music to live?" "It depends on how one wants to live." "If you want a good life, then music has to be a part of it, we're all musos here, Miss." "But that depends... what do you mean when you say 'good life'?" Of course, what I heard was music to my ears. I wondered how Wagner and Schopenhauer might have replied to the students' dialogue.

I thank the teachers, Martin West, Su Rogerson, Dmitry Serebrianik and the senior students for an opportunity to experience their generosity and kindness towards humanity via their hypnotic music. It was tremendously moving and I will cherish the memory for a long time.

Michelle Rocca

English/ Philosophy Teacher