Music Department
On Sunday 9 August, four Scotch College Jazz Ensembles and the Combined Symphony Orchestra participated in the 2015 WA School's Festival held at Churchlands Senior High School and Carey College, Harrisdale. All groups should be proud of their efforts on stage during the day, particularly as some late reshuffling of jazz ensemble membership was needed to accommodate regular band members being unavailable due to illness, or because they are part of the pipe band tour to Edinburgh. Captain of Music Stuart McCowan (Year 12, Ferguson) was also absent as he was attending the Brubeck Institute in the USA as part of an International Jazz event.
While the bands are not 'ranked' during this festival, a small number of prizes were given to performers including seven section awards (ie rhythm section, saxophone section etc) to recognise outstanding musicianship during the festival. Scotch College ensembles were awarded two of these prizes from the adjudicators with the Stage Band saxophone section and the Jazz Ensemble trumpet section both being awarded citations of excellence and a 'section award'.
This is fantastic recognition of the hard work that the Ensemble Directors and the boys put in to their ensembles, as to be awarded two out of the seven awards available is a great achievement, especially given that more than 60 jazz bands performed at the festival.
The Combined Symphony Orchestra performance at Churchlands Senior High School on Sunday afternoon was awarded the highest result of 'Outstanding' which reflects the hard work and effort that everyone put in to produce a very special performance. The adjudicators were very impressed by the musicality, depth of dynamic range, long musical phrases and rhythmic drive. Dr Lourens, (Conductor and Head of Music at UWA), and all of the Music Teachers are very impressed with the result and the complimentary adjudication report.
Congratulations to all Performers and Ensemble Directors for their work in preparation for this Festival Weekend.
Last Thursday 13 August, the String Department presented their annual String Showcase 'Con Brio' in the Dickinson Centre. This was a great event with solos, orchestras, chamber groups and special guests. My thanks to Ms Ibolya Mikajlo for her work with the String players and Instrumental Teachers. A more detailed report will be published in the next edition of the Thistle.
Upcoming Events:
There are several entertaining events scheduled for this term outlined below and I commend all of these performances to you.
In Week 4, on Tuesday 18 August, the Concert Band Showcase will be presented at 6.30pm in the Dickinson Centre. This Concert Band Showcase is a new event, in reality, a renewal of an event that used to be held (in high regard by the Scotch College community) in the 1980s and 1990s. This concert enables the Senior Concert Band to present a programme of music that has been developed throughout the year. Typically, the Senior Concert Band has only been able to perform one or two pieces at each Senior Concert that has not enabled the musicians in the group the opportunity to really show what they are capable of producing and to showcase the wide variety of music that is rehearsed each week. The boys and I are looking forward to sharing all that has been rehearsed for everyone's enjoyment.
A highlight of the Term is the Senior Spring Concert presented on Friday 11 September at 6.30pm in the Dickinson Centre. This concert encompasses all of the ensembles that rehearse each week in the Senior part of the school, and is a great opportunity to thank and farewell the senior musicians who have given so much of their time and energy to the musical life of the school.
On Sunday 13 September, PLC is holding their Centenary Showcase at the Perth Concert Hall. Tickets are available via the link below and all are welcome to attend this once-every-one-hundred-years event.
http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=PLCCENTE15
The Junior School strings present their Soiree event on Thursday 17 September in MacKellar Hall. This is a chance to enjoy the developing sounds of the younger string musicians who have been working hard all year developing their skills to share. Everyone is invited to enjoy this event.
Supporting the musical activities is Friends of Scotch Music (FOSM) a group of parents who enthusiastically support the work of boys and staff in the Music Department. FOSM meets once or twice each term with all meetings beginning at 7.00pm. Meetings go for approximately one hour, and are held in the Senior School Music Room with everyone welcome. Please consider becoming involved in the FOSM Parent Support group as an excellent way to support your son and the Music Programme at Scotch College.
Contact Details
The Instrumental Programme is administered by the Senior School Music Department and all queries should be directed to the Music Administrator, Julia Robinson (9383 6841) music@scotch.wa.edu.au.
Alternately, please contact Mr David Coughlan, Head of Music, via email DGCoughlan@scotch.wa.edu.au or phone 9383 6842.
If you wish to become more involved in supporting the Music Department by receiving information about the work of FOSM, please contact FOSM@scotch.wa.edu.au.
