The Music Department has had an exciting and busy start to the year. In Week 3, all of our bands and ensembles began rehearsing in preparation for the Open Evening in Week 9. There will be a wide range of talents and musical styles represented on the night with many of our pop, rock and contemporary bands featured, as well the Swing Band and a full Orchestra. It is so encouraging to see the diverse musical talents on display here at the College.

In Week 4, the Year 11 VET Music students did their first performance of the year at the Batavia and Cumberland House Assembly. The students managed their own sound set up, pack up and transition from the two venues with ease and professionalism. They performed with confidence, excellent ensemble skills and communicated the emotion of the piece to their audience. A huge thank you to Adelle Brown, one of our Music Teachers, for preparing the students for this performance.

On March 6, the Year 7 and 8 Specialist Music Classes and the Year 12 ATAR Music Students had the opportunity to watch the WA Symphony Orchestra’s Open Rehearsal at Winthrop Hall at UWA. We began the morning with a pre-rehearsal talk explaining the background to the pieces we would hear and the Orchestra’s process for preparing for their performances. The students were privileged to witness the World Premiere of “The Light Fantastic”, a piece written by a Perth-based composer, James Ledger, for the WASO as they bring their new concert series to Winthrop Hall. Alexander Gavrylyuk, the Ukranian-born world famous pianist, stunned the students with his performance of Rachmaninov’s piece, Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini. It was an unforgettable experience for all and I am very proud of the students and the way they represented the College so well on the day.

Nina Shinkfield
Acting Director of Music