Music Notes
Posted February 19 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 can be downloaded from the Huntingtower website – go to ‘Your School’ followed by ‘Parents’ then ‘Forms and Notices’. 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 SENIOR SOLO CONCERT (Years 7 to 12)
Thursday 18 February 6.30pm Orchestral Room
By the time this Bulletin is posted this wonderful concert will be over. We are looking forward to having 40 magnificent performances from students from Years 7 to 12 with a large range of works performed on many different instruments and voice. This is always a very exciting opportunity to hear some of the amazing array of talent within the Senior School.
HOUSE MUSIC SOLOS AND INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES
Monday 1 March 7pm Performing Arts Centre
Please come and support your House and enjoy another amazing array of talent from our young performers. The Instrumental Ensembles have been rehearsing enthusiastically for many hours during the weekend and the soloists have worked tirelessly to perfect their art. It will be a great evening!
HOUSE MUSIC ORCHESTRAS, CHOIRS AND LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
Thursday 4 March 7.30pm
VENUE
The very exciting final evening of the House Music Festival on Thursday 4 March at 7.30pm will be held at the BESEN CENTRE at Mt. Scopus College. This is a magnificent auditorium with excellent acoustics for the choirs and orchestras and a huge stage for Light Entertainment. It is also a very large hall so we do invite all parents, families, old students and friends to come and enjoy this spectacular event! There will be a comfortable seat for everyone and there is no charge. Junior School children will love the excitement of the evening and it will not be a long night. Every student in Years 7 to 12 will perform in his/her House Choir and over 60% of the students perform in the House Orchestras. It is a COMPULSORY event for all Senior students.
Please invite all your friends and notify any old students whom you may know of the venue. This would be much appreciated.
DRESS FOR THE HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL PERFORMANCES
NB. Please note carefully as you may need to purchase an item of clothing from the Huntingtower Uniform Shop before the evening.
Girls: Summer dress, white socks worn at the correct length, shiny black shoes, blazer, hair ribbons if relevant in the correct colour.
Boys: Long-sleeved blue shirt with sleeves rolled down and buttons done up!, school tie, long grey trousers, dark socks, shiny black shoes
INSTRUMENTAL AND THEORY LESSONS
Most lessons have commenced and great progress is being made! It will not be long before students who have just started an orchestral instrument will become part of one of the orchestras, Little Symphony or Concert Band. It is great fun and extremely rewarding so if you would like to learn an instrument and would like to look at and try some of the available instruments please contact Mrs Bramble (BH 9807 8888 AH 9803 7701 or email lbramble@huntingtower.vic.edu.au) It is not too late to try and all students from Years Prep to 12 are very welcome.
Unfortunately there are no saxophones left but you may like to try a shiny trumpet or oboe or bassoon (these instruments would suit olders students from Years 6 to 12).
If you have have already put in a Music Tuition form and have not had a lesson yet the lessons should start very soon. There has been a slight delay with the service and return of some instruments and some of the instrumental teachers have been touring overseas and interstate.
Theory lessons at all AMEB levels will be available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after school so please speak to Mrs Bramble if you are interested.
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 SENIOR SOLO CONCERT (Years 7-12)
Thursday 18 February 7pm Orchestral Room
2. HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL Solos/Ensembles
Monday 1 March 7pm PAC
3. HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL Orchestras/Choirs
Thursday 4 March 7.30pm Besen Centre (Mt Scopus)
4. YEARS 5 AND 6 SOLO CONCERT
Thursday 25 March 6pm Orchestral Room
