Great Scot | Issue 173 | 2025
THE ARTS
Tuning into excellence
Mentorship also played a key role in their development. Scot highlighted the impact of older peers and teachers.“ I studied how my seniors Leon and Geoff performed in school, I eagerly listened to Twoset every week, and my teachers Mark Mogilevski and Elyane Laussade helped me fully realise my potential,” said Scot.
“ I would also like to give a special thanks to Neil Wang(‘ 24) for his mentorship and guidance throughout my music journey. It not only helped me grow as a musician but has inspired me to pursue music with revitalised purpose and passion. Now, as my graduation next year draws near, I look forward to taking on this role of mentorship myself, to support, encourage and nurture the next generation of young musicians.”
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A snapshot of Scotch’ s musical excellence was on full display in March, as 23 of our students were formally recognised at the Australian Music Examinations Board( AMEB) Diploma Awards Ceremony at Hawthorn Arts Centre.
The AMEB system is Australia’ s national standard for music examinations, progressing from Preliminary to Grade 8, before advancing to diploma levels. Students who attain the Associate Diploma( AMusA), signified by a purple sash, or the more elite Licentiate Diploma( LMusA), denoted by a salmon sash, are demonstrating skills well beyond what is expected for university-level entrance. In fact, fewer than 50 LMusA diplomas were awarded statewide last year.
To have 23 boys recognised at this level speaks volumes about the depth of music at Scotch.
“ There’ s a real culture of striving for excellence here,” says Director of Music, Dr John Ferguson.“ It’ s largely driven by our music staff, professional musicians who continue to perform and set high expectations for our students.”
Preparation for these exams is no small feat, with students required to master complex repertoire and develop musicality, technique, and endurance under pressure.
Two of the 23 recipients, Year 11 students Scot and Kane, spoke to us about their experiences.
Scot and Kane both began their musical journeys in early childhood, with Scot taking up violin and piano at age four and Kane starting piano at four and violin the following year. Now 16, between them they have performed at remarkable venues such as Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Vienna’ s Muth Great Hall, and Scotch’ s very own Ian Roach Hall.
“ I still remember my first steps into Scotch College. Even now the sheer scale and community of this school continue to amaze me,” says Scot.“ I recall my first ever orchestra rehearsal with Dr Ferguson, who is sadly retiring this year. The memories of my Mendelssohn performance with Kane, the dazzling stage lights and thunderous applause are forever etched into my mind.”
Both boys described preparations for their diplomas as a process that required dedication and discipline.“ Preparing for AMusA was a whole different experience. It requires a much deeper understanding of music and sophisticated technique, which is only achieved through consistent practice,” said Kane.
Kane credits his teacher, Mr Robert Wakely, for equipping him with performance confidence.“ Through the numerous student recitals that Scotch offers, I was able to practise performing in front of an audience, slowly getting used to playing under pressure.”
For Kane, live performance was a significantly defining moment for him.“ I remember being 9 years old, nervously hugging my violin, which was not much bigger than I, waiting to be called up for my first ever AMEB exam. As I started warming up, something felt off … for the first time, I encountered what every musician once experiences: stage fright. I stepped in the examining room with heavy breath and my head bowed down... but nevertheless, the accompaniment started, and I gave it my best go. To my surprise, I was awarded a humble pass with credit. I was ecstatic. It was the first time in my life that I had worked hard for something and was rewarded.”
Reflecting on his own journey, Scot encourages younger students explore music beyond formal assessment.“ While AMEB is a great system to track advancement, experiment with pieces that are not in the AMEB syllabus. Dig up old classics or better yet compose something of your own. There is no greater joy than performing, not for others, but for yourself.”
“ Existence is just a song we improvise”
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“ Whether it be exams or competitions, you might not succeed the first time, and that’ s okay... stay patient, stay focused, and most importantly, stay connected to the love of music that brought you here in the first place.”
“ Be ready to put in the effort,” said Kane.“ All the hours spent refining your technique, the frustration of plateaus, and the sudden breakthroughs, they all shape you into becoming a better musician and a stronger person. Most importantly, stay connected to the love of music that brought you here in the first place.”