Performing Arts
The Show Must Go On
2021 has been filled with challenges and interruptions, which we were all looking forward to moving past upon our return to school. The Instrumental Music Program had organised an outdoor concert to provide students with entertainment, and Instrumental Music students with the much needed opportunity to perform. Alas, the weather was not on our side and we were unable to proceed. However, the show must go on!
Lead by Guitar and Rock Band teacher Ms Marina Novelli, we banded together to put on a smaller scale concert in the theatre. This was a resounding success and a fantastic event to showcase the hard work and efforts of Marina and her students. As the curtains closed, Marina hung up her guitar and pick for the final time with us here at Koonung. A big thank you to Marina who has been an invaluable member of the Instrumental Music Program teaching team for the past 16 years, and she will be dearly missed as she explores new opportunities abroad in Italy.
Thank you also to Mr David Forward, Mr Adrian De Luca, Mr Joshua Verco and special guest performer Ms Guada Banez for your contributions into making this concert a success.
VCE Music Class of 2021 Had the Time of Their Life
One of the biggest challenges that our Music students have faced over the past two years is not being able to play together. For the VCE Music class, we went from:
Plan A: Rehearse during class time and prepare a performance for the Year 12 Celebration Day at the end of the year.
To Plan B: Rehearse at home and hope for the best.
To Plan A, back to Plan B, then rinse and repeat a few times.
Finally to Plan C: Make a lockdown video.
We hope that you enjoy our Plan C as much as enjoyed making it!
Woodwind Duet – The Moon Represents My Heart
I started learning the flute last year, under the tutelage of Mr Wanner. It was an exciting time for me, and I still enjoy playing the flute today. Like all beginners do, I struggled to play the flute when I first started out, but with the help of my supportive teacher and constant practice, I soon got the hang of it. With less than 2 years of experience, I was recently challenged with the opportunity to play a duet with Alex, who played the clarinet. I only had two days to practice alone, before we filmed it. It was nerve-wracking, but the results were great in the end. This would not have been possible if we were still stuck in remote learning, and I am grateful that I was given this opportunity.
- Mireille Ho Ruey Hann 8B
Starting in grade 3 or 4, I’ve been learning to play clarinet for around 7 years now. I mainly enjoy playing Asian pieces since I listen to them the most so learning this piece was fun. The piece wasn’t that difficult, however, playing it in a duet, in front of a camera was nerve-wracking. I found myself often playing the wrong note or missing a note. During remote learning, having instrument lessons was challenging. We had to take into account the poor sound quality, slow internet and various other things. Returning to onsite lessons was a massive relief since we could actually hear each other play properly.
- Alex Liang 11C
Year 8 Classroom Music – Musique Concrete
In Music, we have been learning about musique concrete and graphic notation. Musique concrete is a music genre which uses instrument recordings, vocals and everyday sounds. It includes noticeable effects and edits such as distortion, manipulating the sound into a composition. This genre is unique from the “traditional” types of music. For this assessment task we had to create our own musique concrete composition and create a visual relating to it known as the graphic notation. This allows the composition to be interpreted in a specific way. While creating my own, I had first created a beat. From there I layered more sounds from both my home and online. I then began editing and adding effects including distortion and echo. I also included dynamics (loudness or quietness of the sound). After that, I drew out my graphic notation with a key, then arranged it to how the composition sounded.
- Micaela Poon 8G
In Music, we have been learning about musique concrete and composing it. We have done a research assignment on a famous composer, we have made samples of music concrete and we have explored and learnt how to use sound editing software. The piece I composed was inspired by whale callings in the wild. To do this I used rain and mellow sound effects with whale calls in between bars. These sounds were manipulated with effects and hence has created my composition.
- Tim Hanus 8G
Olivia Foy
Performing Arts Domain Leader
Mathematics and Music Teacher
In addition to the many wonderful videos in the previous article, the following has been submitted by Piano teacher
Kathryn Rogers
Piano Teacher