Music Notes
Posted March 04 2010SENIOR HOUSE MUSIC FESTIVAL
First evening
HOUSE MUSIC SENIOR SOLO CONCERT
This wonderful concert featured 40 magnificent performances from students from Years 7 to 12 with a large range of works performed on many different instruments and voice. It was a very exciting opportunity to hear some of the amazing array of talent within the Senior School.
The adjudicator, Mr Errol Fernando, spoke very eloquently about the value of encouragement apparent at Huntingtower beginning with the wonderful example of our Principal, Mr Bowen and moving throughout the school to the students who are so encouraging of each other. Mr Fernando praised not only the high standard of performance but also the high quality of commitment and presentation demonstrated by the students. Hearty congratulations to all involved!
Second evening
HOUSE MUSIC SOLO AND INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLES CONCERT
This was another wonderful concert in which each House was represented by 6 soloists and an Instrumental Ensemble. The performers were all outstanding and every soloist had spent countless hours working to perfect his/her art. Likewise the members of the Instrumental Ensembles had worked individually and then as an ensemble to create a perfect union of voices and musical style.
The adjudicator, Professor John Hopkins OBE spoke about the wonderful standard of performance and the great importance of the future when the students will take their musical expertise into the wider community. Once again hearty congratulations to all involved for an amazing concert!
Third evening
HOUSE ORCHESTRAS, CHOIRS AND CHAMBER CHOIRS PLUS LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT
By the time this Bulletin is posted this spectacular concert will be over so a full report will be given in the next Bulletin.
Hearty congratulations though to the House Music Captains, Light Entertainment Directors and to all the students for the amazing work which has been done in 4 short weeks – it has been an extremely exciting, enjoyable experience!
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 or flutes 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. There has also been a delay with clarinet and saxophone lessons but students waiting for these lessons will be contacted very soon. Sincere apologies for the delay.
Theory lessons at all AMEB levels are available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after school so please speak to Mrs Bramble if you are interested.
SOLO CONCERTS
At least one solo concert and sometimes two are held for each year level throughout the year. There are also special concerts for players in Years Prep, 1 and 2. Short solo concerts are also held for players from any year level throughout the school. These are especially useful for students who are preparing for exams, eisteddfods or auditions and would like more opportunities to perform.
Our first solo concert was our wonderful House Music Festival Senior Solo Concert held 2 weeks ago where we heard 40 amazing performances from students in Years 7 to 12 followed by the House Music Solo and Ensemble Concert with another 21 amazing performances. The next solo concert is for Year 5 and 6 String Players (concerts for piano and wind players are later in the year) on Thursday 25 March at 6pm in the Orchestral Room.
Many more solo concerts will be held next term and during these coming holidays there will be opportunities for exam students to perform so please contact me (Lynley Bramble BH 9807 8888 AH 9803 7701 or email lbramble@huntingtower.vic.edu.au) if you would like to perform.
HUNTINGTOWER ORCHESTRAS/CONCERT BAND
From the first week of Term 1 the three House Orchestras and the Junior Orchestra have been rehearsing enthusiastically. The House Orchestras involved every instrumentalist in the Senior School (Years 7 to 12) and these performers will now play in the Senior Orchestra, Middle School Orchestra and/or the Concert Band (for every woodwind/brass player from Years 7 to 12.)
Senior Orchestra will have rehearsals every Friday morning at 7.50am in the Orchestral Room commencing on Friday 12 March. Please check the orchestral lists posted around the school. Full attendance is required please.
Concert Band will have rehearsals every Thursday morning at 7.50am in the Orchestral Room commencing on Thursday 18 March.
Middle School Orchestra has already started and will continue rehearsals at 12noon every Friday.
Junior Orchestra involves every player from Years 3 to 6 and Little Symphony (Years Prep, 1 and 2) will commence in mid Term 2. All these instrumental ensembles (plus smaller groups such as string orchestras, brass ensembles, stage band and chamber group) are a great source of enjoyment, fun, social interaction between students of all ages and intellectual stimulation creating a sense of belonging and self worth.
It is not too late to join!! If you are interested in learning an instrument and would like to investigate the possibility please don’t hesitate to contact Lynley Bramble (BH 9807 8888 AH 9803 7701 or email lbramble@huntingtower.vic.edu.au) These coming holidays may be a great time to arrange to come and have a try out of some instruments – looking forward to seeing you!
HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS..
To the quartet who performed recently at a dinner at the Windsor Hotel organised by past parents Tony and Jewel Gilham to whom we are very grateful. Our students were very well received and the enjoyed the opportunity to play in such regal surroundings, eat a delicious high tea and receive a large box of chocolates each!
MUSIC DATES – TERM 1 2010
1. YEARS 5 AND 6 SOLO CONCERT
Thursday 25 March 6pm Orchestral Room
MUSIC DATES – TERM 2 2010
1. BOROONDARA EISTEDDFOD
Wednesday 28 April
11am – Junior Chamber Ensemble Hawthorn Town Hall
6pm – Senior Chamber Ensemble
2. BOROONDARA EISTEDDFOD
Tuesday 11 May
10am – Junior Small Ensemble Hawthorn Town Hall
1pm – Senior Small Ensemble
3. YEAR 11 and 12 SOLO CONCERT
Wednesday 12 May 7pm Orchestral Room
4. BOROONDARA EISTEDDFOD – Hawthorn Town Hall
Friday 21 May 7pm Murray Sharp Award
Wednesday 26 May 1pm Senior Large Ensemble
Wednesday 26 May 6pm Junior Large Ensemble
5. LITTLE SYMPHONY and LITTLE CHOIR CONCERT
Thursday 3 June 6pm PAC
6. JUNIOR PIANO CONCERT (Years Prep to 6)
Tuesday 8 June 6pm PAC
7. JUNIOR and SENIOR ORCHESTRAL and CHORAL CONCERT
Thursday 17 June 7pm PAC
8. YEAR 3 and 4 SOLO CONCERT
Tuesday 22 June 6pm Orchestral Room
9. MORDIALLOC EISTEDDFOD (Senior Choir)
Thursday 24 June
