MUSIC
PLENTY OF MUSIC DURING TERM 3
MUSIC – FULL OF THE JOYS OF SPRING – AND ALL THAT JAZZ
THIS IMAGE : HORN TRIO RIGHT : YEAR 11 SAXOPHONIST
With the closing chords of the Foundation Day Concert barely receding , the Music School looks towards spring , and regrowth . The Year 12 boys bow out from most of the ensembles , the green shoots of the younger boys rise up to fill the gaps , and embark on some very vigorous training in the Symphony Orchestra and the Symphonic Wind particularly .
However , Term 3 has a great deal of music in it . There are the three concerts for choirs , bands and strings , and there is the Chamber Music Dinner . This features the most advanced chamber music ensembles playing sophisticated repertoire , while the audience enjoys an excellent meal . It is all timed so that people are not eating while the ensembles are performing . The music was coordinated by Anne Brisk , and the evening was organised by the Music Auxiliary , who work hard every year to make the event one of the jewels in the concert calendar .
Term 4 opened with the annual Jazz Cabaret . This is a popular night – the jazz equivalent to the Chamber Music Dinner . Traditionally there is a guest artist , and this year we were delighted to host Ross Irwin and his band . It was quite special and nostalgic for me – as Ross told the audience , I was his examiner for his AMusA ( many years ago ); the pianist in the band , the brilliant Monique diMattina , was a former classmate at the Victorian College of the Arts , when we did Master ’ s together , and the trombonist , Nick Mulder , was in my Show Band at Caulfield Grammar School ( last century ).
It was a great night . Chris Farrands hosted the event , and directed the Stage Band , while Megan Philip organised the night , and directed our Show Band . Both our bands played to the highest level – it really is their night . Our close harmony vocal ensemble , the Cardinals , lovingly nurtured by Andrew Hunter , performed with great aplomb . Our new principal , Dr Scott Marsh ,
clearly loved the night – I could see his fingers itching to get his trumpet out and join in !
The annual Spring Concert took place in October , featuring the intermediate ensembles , with some impressive performances on a large scale . The concert opened with the 90-piece Intermediate Orchestra , under the baton of Anne Brisk ( standing in for Adam Merange who is currently undergoing medical treatment ), followed by the Henri Touzeau Strings under Ben Castle and Amberley Bremner , the Ted Joyner Band under Megan Philip , and the Intermediate Concert Band and George Dreyfus band under Leon Duncan and Chris Farrands respectively .
The concert also featured the Cambiata Choir , under Sharon Hunter ( replacing Jo Blankfield who had COVID ), the Morrison Street Big Band under David Musk , and the Callantina Swing Band under Dave Newdick ( replacing Daniel Zisin , who also had COVID !).
The concert featured a special guest , Don Immel , trombonist and Head of Brass at the University of Melbourne . He delighted the audience at the concert , playing requests , including Flight of the Bumblebee ( as requested by a mischievous Year 9 boy ) – an impressive effort on the trombone ! He also gave a beautiful performance of Londonderry Air ( Danny Boy ), accompanied by a brass ensemble comprising staff and students , and conducted by me ! It was an enriching visit , as Don gave masterclasses and lessons during his brief residency .
As I write this , there is still music playing all around the music school . We still have a number of recital evenings , some 180 AMEB exams , the Junior School concert , and , of course , the Summer Prom and Carol Service to conclude the year , and what a fine year it has been . For those of you with sons in the music program , thank you for your support this year .
DR JOHN FERGUSON – DIRECTOR OF MUSIC
56 Great Scot Issue 170 – December 2023