Instrumental Music News
Welcome to the Instrumental Music Program at MGC!
We are so excited to resume face-to-face music lessons this year! Thank you to all our students and families for supporting us during remote learning and adapting to a different way of learning and playing music in 2020. Our talented and dedicated music teachers are ready to go, lessons and ensembles have commenced and the Performing Arts Building is once again filled with live music! Lesson times are published on Compass and rotate on a weekly basis, so don’t forget to check your lesson time weekly!
In line with the DET schools operations guide, there will be increased cleaning of shared instruments between lessons, and all students are reminded to sanitise their hands before coming to class. Masks are mandatory indoors, and students must wear a mask during singing lessons.
Wen Chin
Instrumental Music Leader
Instrumental Music Staff
Let me introduce our Instrumental Music Staff:
Ellyce Calder (Monday and Tuesday, Studio 1)
Voice (Contemporary and Classical) and Piano
Susan De Jong (Wednesday and Thursday, Studio 1)
Voice (Contemporary and Classical)
Les Gyori (Tuesday, Studio 7)
Violin and Viola
Wen Chin (Every day, Studio 4)
Piano, Cello and Classroom Music
Katrina Halliday (Every day, Studio 3)
Piano
katrina.halliday@mgc.vic.edu.au
Tony Hicks (Mondays and Wednesday, Studio 7)
Woodwind and Brass
Andy Clarke (Wednesday and Thursday, Studio 6)
Guitar and Bass
Nicholas Milosevic (Thursday, Studio 5)
Drum Kit and Percussion
nicholas.milosevic@mgc.vic.edu.au
Daniel Tedford (Tuesday, Studio 6)
Violin and Guitar
Pedal Power Cinema- Musicians Wanted for Open Mic Sessions prior to screening of Zootopia on Friday 26th February
If you are interested in performing please e-mail:
Ms Chin wen.chin@mgc.vic.edu.au or Bea James JAM0013@mgc.vic.edu.au
Music Ensembles at MGC
Students that play an instrument or sing are encouraged to participate in a music ensemble, as this is an opportunity to practice the skills learnt in tuition and gain experience in playing in a group. Evidence has shown that students who play in an ensemble often progress faster on their chosen instrument! Students must understand that their participation in an ensemble is a yearlong commitment. The ensembles participate in numerous performance opportunities throughout the year, such as instrumental soirees and showcases, Music Camp, Generations in Jazz, Victorian Schools Music Festival, school assemblies, community events, and Presentation Night.
If you would like to enroll in an ensemble, please contact the relevant leader or attend a rehearsal! Most of the ensembles will begin in Week 4.
Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
Before School |
| String Ensemble (A3) | MGC Orchestra(A3) |
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9:30am | Acapellago (A3) |
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Lunchtime | MGC Choir (AUD) | Junior Rock Band (A3) |
| Acapellago (A3) | Senior Chamber Strings (A3) |
After School |
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| Senior Contemporary Ensemble (A3) |
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MGC Orchestra: Leader- Tony Hicks
Rehearsal Time: Wednesday 7:45am in the Music Room A3
The MGC Orchestra is open to all students within the school, not just those involved in lessons at MGC. The orchestra plays a range of genres including classical, contemporary popular, rock, jazz, blues as well as an emphasis on improvisation. It is expected that students involved in lessons at MGC will actively participate in the MGC Orchestra.
String Ensemble: Leader- Les Gyori
Rehearsal time: Tuesday 8am in the Music Room A3
The String Ensemble is a non-auditioned ensemble open to all string students within the school, not just those involved in lessons at MGC. The ensemble plays a variety of classical and contemporary string music.
Senior Chamber Strings: Leader- Wen Chin
Rehearsal time: Friday lunchtime in the Music Room A3
The Senior Chamber Strings is an auditioned ensemble open to string students who are interested in performing advanced string repertoire in a smaller chamber setting. The ensemble explores chamber repertoire across classical and contemporary genres.
Senior Contemporary Ensemble: Leader - Andy Clarke
Rehearsal time: Wednesday 3:30pm in the Music Room A3
The Senior Contemporary Ensemble is an ensemble open to students in Years 9 – 12 within the school. Students who play contemporary rock instruments and sing are welcome. They play a variety of contemporary classics and new songs.
Junior Rock Band: Leader –Daniel Tedford
Rehearsal time: Tuesday Lunchtime in the Music Room A3
The Junior Rock Band is open to students in Years 7-9 who are interested in playing in a band! They play a variety of rock and contemporary classics and new songs.
MGC Choir: Leader- Ellyce Calder
Rehearsal time: Monday lunchtimes in the Auditorium
The MGC Choir is a non-auditioned choir open to all students who are interested in singing a wide variety of genres such as pop, musical theatre and jazz tunes.
‘Acapellago’ Acapella Choir: Leaders- Ellyce Calder and Susan De Jong
Rehearsal time: Monday 9:30am, Thursday lunchtimes in the Music Room A3
Our acapella choir is an auditioned ensemble open to all students from Year 8-12. They represent MGC at many events, including Open Day, Information Evenings and Presentation Night and compete in the AUSACA National Acapella Championships.