MEGA MUSIC DAY
It was a 7am start on Wednesday last week for our trek to Stawell for the annual Mega Music Day. Mega Music Day is a chance for students from a number of schools to come together and create a concert band and choir, the size of which would not be possible at any of the schools individually. Aimed at beginner and intermediate students, this is the first time many of the students have even played or sung in an ensemble - and what better place to start? Throughout the day, 19 students from the college made music alongside 90 other students from Horsham College, Stawell College and Phoenix College. The day of rehearsals culminated in a performance for some local primary school students, where they got to hear pieces such as “Seasons of Love”, “Pretty Woman” and “Spookyville”, amongst others. There were also some solo instrument demonstrations – thank-you to Messi Ehdohpaw for so capably performing an impromptu piano solo for all to enjoy. It was a big day, with the tiered but happy students returning to school around 5:30pm. Thank-you to Mr Peter McDonald for assisting on the day, the parents of the students for getting them to school so early, and the students themselves for being so wonderfully behaved, attentive, positive and, above all, doing their best. All students I have spoken to were able to play or sing a lot more notes by the end of the day than the start of the day, and learnt a few new tips and tricks along the way.
WIMMERA EISTEDDFOD
The fun of last week didn’t stop with Mega Music Day! On Friday, 40 students from Nhill College attended the first day of the Wimmera Eisteddfod. This was followed by a further four students competing over the weekend. After a hiatus last year, the eisteddfod was back, bigger and better, in its new home of the Horsham Town Hall. To say it was both exciting yet intimidating for those performing, many of whom have never performed in public before, would be an understatement. The college was represented extremely well, with competitors in the wind/brass, string, piano and vocal sections, as well as primary choir group, and primary and secondary instrumental ensemble groups. All students should be extremely proud of their efforts, and the amount of positive feedback from the adjudicators, eisteddfod committee and general public was astounding.
Of the 28 items performed across the weekend by the students, 18 of these performances were awarded places, with the adjudicators making special mention in their public feedback, a speech given at the end of each section, of seven Nhill College students, four of whom did not receive placings but still impressed the adjudicators for a range of things such as memory work, singing a capella, and for the instrument they play.
Huge thanks must go to Mrs Karen Kerber and Ms Tania McQueen for keeping the students (and me!) under control, Ms Akeyo Matsumoto for her support of the violin students, and Mr Mitch Dahlenburg for driving the mini bus between Horsham and Nhill multiple times. Another massive thank-you must also go to the parents of students involved in the music programme: thank-you to those who provided spare pieces of uniform, those who came along and watched performances, and, most of all, for supporting your children in learning an instrument and their involvement in the music programme. Finally, thank-you and congratulations to all those who performed. You should all feel so proud of yourselves. Without the support of staff, parents and students, it would not be possible to run a music programme as we do.
Nhill College participants and placings within each section were as follows:
String Solo – 1st Year of Tuition
1st – Jessika Cannell (cello)
2nd – Kyle Woolcock (guitar)
3rd – Mu Yeh Htoo (violin)
Honourable Mention – AJ Beattie (bass)
No placing – Blake Bell (bass)
String Solo – 2nd Year of Tuition
1st – Rachel Shurdington (violin)
2nd – Saskia Albrecht (violin)
String Solo – 3rd/4th Year and Above of Tuition
1st – Brady Jarred (ukulele)
Wind and Brass Solo – 1st Year of Tuition
3rd – Addison Mason (alto saxophone)
No placing – Bailee White (clarinet), Claire Rowe (clarinet), Lenny Shurdington (French horn)
Wind and Brass Solo – 2nd Year of Tuition
1st – Charlotte Donnell (alto saxophone)
2nd – Lucy Blackwood (clarinet)
Wind and Brass Solo – 3rd Year of Tuition
1st – Lucy Dodds (trumpet)
2nd – Corey Shurdington (trombone)
Wind and Brass Solo – 4th Year and Above of Tuition
1st – Eliza Creek (flute)
Primary School Age Choir
2nd – Nhill College Junior Choir
Secondary School Age Ensemble
2nd – Nhill College Senior Band
Primary School Age Ensemble
2nd – Nhill College Junior Band
15 Years and Under Piano Solo Special Section (less than 18 months tuition)
1st – Lucy Dodds
Open Original Solo Composition
2nd – Brady Jarred (ukulele)
Vocal Solo – Primary School Age
No placing – Georgia Foster, Lucy Blackwood
Vocal Solo from a Musical or Film – Primary School Age
No placing – Georgia Foster, Ashlie Cannell
Piano Solo – Preliminary Standard
No placing – Amelia Albrecht
Piano Classical/Baroque/Romantic Solo – Preliminary or Grade 1 Standard
No placing – Amelia Albrecht
VCAA STATE OF EXCELLENCE
On Thursday this week, the school had two assessors visit from the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority as part of the State of Excellence programme. State of Excellence gauges achievement in the various areas of the arts all over Victoria, comparing things such as programme size, quality and achievement. The programme requires performances by either students in year six who have been learning an instrument or been part of an ensemble for at least a year, or by students in year 10 who have been learning an instrument or been part of an ensemble for at least three years. Nhill College was chosen to participate at the year 10 level and, as such, the assessors were treated to performances by Sarena Be Nyo (piano) and Eliza Creek (flute). Each girl had to perform two contrasting solos, as well as answer questions about their interpretations of the music they performed. Thank-you to the two girls for taking part, and well done on your performances.
AN APOLOGY
Those of you with students learning instruments at school may be aware lessons have been a bit haphazard these last three weeks in their timetabling and if the lessons actually ran or not. Unfortunately, I have been unwell recently, and unable to teach my full load. This will unfortunately continue over the next few weeks due to various excursions and events, especially affecting students who have lessons on Fridays. I shall try and juggle times as best I can so available lessons are spread as evenly as possible. All students will still receive their minimum allocation of 25 instrumental lessons in the year. I apologise for the inconvenience and thank-you all for your patience and understanding.
