Music Notes
Posted February 05 2010HUNTINGTOWER ORCHESTRAL PROGRAM
Many students from Years Prep – 12 learn orchestral instruments and participate in various ensembles throughout the school.
Little Symphony Years Prep – 2
Junior Orchestra Years 3 – 6
Senior Orchestra Years 7 – 12
Middle School Orchestra Years 7 – 9
Concert Band Years 7 – 12
String Orchestra Senior, Middle, Junior Schools
Various year level Orchestras
Small Ensembles (Brass Ensemble, Stage Band, String Quartets etc.)
The players enjoy the excitement of performing together and they develop a high level of concentration, responsiveness and alertness which is then channelled into their academic performance. Every year many of Huntingtower’s top VCE students are also musicians (in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 all students with ENTER scores over 99 were in the orchestra!) and during the presentation of academic awards for any year level the orchestral chairs seem to be empty! There are many wonderful extra curricular activities available including opportunities to attend State Music Camps and to participate in many fine youth orchestras when sufficient proficiency is attained. All students at Huntingtower who learn orchestral instruments can participate in an ensemble as soon as a small degree of proficiency is achieved. At some times some advanced piano students are involved in the percussion sections of the orchestras but unfortunately it is impossible to involve all piano students as only a small number of percussion players are needed.
If you do not play an instrument, now is the ideal time to start! Instruments are available to suit the needs of students throughout the school so please don’t hesitate to speak to Mrs Lynley Bramble (Director of Music) at school (Music Centre – Room MU8) or ring her after hours (9803 7701) or email lbramble@huntingtower.vic.edu.au to discuss the availability or suitability of various instruments. An instrument tuition form is available under the Forms & Notices section of the Huntingtower Website or by clicking directly here – this need only be filled out by students who wish to start an instrument.
Perhaps you may consider a jazzy double bass, a shiny French horn, trumpet or trombone, an oboe or bassoon, viola, violin or ‘cello – there are many possibilities so do come along and have a go!
SENIOR HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL 2010 – YEARS 7 – 12
This year our exciting House Music Festival will be held on three evenings.
- Thursday 18 February – 6.30pm – Senior Solo Concert. Orchestral Room
- Monday 1 March – 7.00pm – Solos and Instrumental Ensembles. Performing Arts Centre
- Thursday 4 March – 7.30pm – House Orchestras, Choirs, Chamber Choirs and Light Entertainment. Besen Centre, Mt. Scopus College
- COMPULSORY attendance for all students in Years 7 – 12 on Thursday 4 March
The House Orchestras and Choirs have begun rehearsing already. Enthusiastic support will be given to the House Music leaders who will work tirelessly over the next few weeks as they guide their Houses to the final wonderful performance.
HOUSE MUSIC CAPTAINS 2010
Bruce Jacob Davey and Clare Higgins
Mather Beth Camier and Sid Vadasseri
Warrell Sally Fyfield, Sam Hillman and Elliot Kitchingman
Directors of Light Entertainment
Simone Masci
Renee Williams
Orchestra Captains 2010
Chris Cini
Anushi Samarasinghe
Choir Captains 2010
Jonathan Calleja
Beth Camier
Clare Higgins
Alysha Waye
Concert Band Captain 2010
Sally Fyfield
HOUSE ORCHESTRAS (Years 7 – 12)
If you play an orchestral instrument (Years 7 to 12) you should have received a notice with information about the House Music Orchestra rehearsals. If you have not yet received a notice or your name is not on the House Orchestra lists please see Mrs Bramble (Music Centre Room MU4) as soon as possible as we really value every player’s participation and contribution even if you have only been playing for a short time.
Combined House Orchestra rehearsals have been held this week and from next week (Monday 8 February) the three House Orchestras rehearse separately each week in the Orchestral Room.
- Bruce Orchestra – every TUESDAY and THURSDAY 7.50am – 8.25am
- Mather Orchestra – every FRIDAY 7.50-9am
- Warrell Orchestra – every MONDAY and WEDNESDAY 7.50am – 8.25am
Please support your House Music Captains and come punctually to every rehearsal.
HOUSE ORCHESTRA PERCUSSION WORKSHOPS
Monday 8 February at 12.30pm in the Orchestral Room
Every player music arrive promptly please and be ready to play at 12.30pm (bring your lunch).
HOUSE MUSIC SOLO AUDITIONS
Huntingtower is very fortunate to have many talented instrumental and vocal students who could all perform as soloists on the first two evenings of the House Music Festival. All these students (from Years 7 – 12) are now encouraged to prepare a work and then perform at the Solo Auditions to be held on:
- Tuesday 9 February 3.40pm – Years 7 and 9
- Wednesday 10 February 3.40pm – Years 8 and 9
- Thursday 11 February 3.40pm – Years 10, 11 and 12
Students, if they wish, may perform on more than one instrument or on both instrument and voice. The adjudicator will choose soloists from each House for the Senior Solo Concert on Thursday 18 February at 6.30pm or the Solo and Ensemble Concert on Monday 1 March at 7.00pm.
So blow away the cobwebs! BEGIN PRACTISING!! And return the form below to your House Music Captain or Mrs Bramble immediately.
HOUSE MUSIC SOLO AUDITIONS
To Lynley Bramble
Yes, I would like to audition
Name_____________________________
Instrument_________________________
2nd Instrument______________________
(if applicable)
Voice Yes No
INSTRUMENTAL AND THEORY LESSONS
Individual music lessons will generally commence next week and students should bring their instrument and music to school on the same day as last year unless they hear otherwise. Students who are commencing lessons in 2010 will be notified soon of arrangements. Most lessons will commence within the next two weeks but sometimes there is an unavoidable delay as intruments may still be being repaired or serviced.
Theory lessons at all AMEB levels will be available on Tuesday and Wednesday after school so please speak to Mrs Bramble if you are interested. Theory lessons are held in small classes for a cost of $50 per term (approximately $5 per 1 hour lesson). The lessons have commenced already but students can join at any time during the year.
ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED, HAVING A 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY PARTY OR ORGANISING A BUSINESS DINNER?
Members of the Huntingtower String Orchestra would be very willing to provide a small (or large) ensemble to play beautiful music in a wide varity of styles at any occasion. They have a very comprehensive “gig”folder that includes many special requests. A small fee would be charged as fundraising for the Huntingtower Instrumental Account. A quartet will be performing at the Windsor Hotel in February at a special business dinner. This was at the kind invitation of a past parent.
MUSIC DATES – TERM 1 2010
1. HOUSE MUSIC SOLO AUDITIONS (Years 7 and 9)
Tuesday 9 February 3.40pm Orchestral Room
2. HOUSE MUSIC SOLO AUDITIONS (Years 8 and 9)
Wednesday 10 February 3.40pm Orchestral Room
3. HOUSE MUSIC SOLO AUDITIONS (Years 10 – 12)
Thursday 11 February 3.40pm Orchestral Room
4. SENIOR SOLO CONCERT (Years 7-12)
Thursday 18 February 7pm Orchestral Room
5. HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL Solos/Ensembles
Monday 1 March 7pm PAC
6. HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL Orchestras/Choirs
Thursday 4 March 7.30pm Besen Centre (Mt Scopus)
7. YEARS 5 AND 6 SOLO CONCERT
Thursday 25 March 6pm Orchestral Room
