Music Department
Last Thursday 13 August, the String Department presented their annual String Showcase "Con Brio" in the Dickinson Centre. The concert featured the Senior String Orchestra and Senior Guitar Ensemble members. The items were varied and included repertoire from Bach to contemporary works. The concert opened with a Tango followed by Matthia Au's (Year 9, Alexander) stunning performance of The Flight of the Bumble Bee. This was followed by Vaughan Chin's (Year 12, Ferguson) virtuosic solo performance of the Saxophone with the Senior String Orchestra in Richard Percival's Sicilienne.
Yarlalu Thomas (Year 12, Stuart), Charlie Thomas (Year 8, Andrew) and Oliver Scott Morey (Year 11, Cameron) also played with the Year 12 String Quartet. It was special moment when Yarlalu shared with the audience that his Digeridoo was handed down from his Grandfather who played it in traditional ceremonies. The whole ensemble gave a special performance again of Galbammindji especially composed for Naidoc Week.
Year 12 String Quartet with Yarlalu Thomas, Charlie Thomas and Oliver Scott-Morey - Galbammindji
Ben Anderson's (Year 10, Cameron) performance of Bass and Voice and rendition of Santana's classic Black Magic arranged by Robert Spence and performed by a backing band added to the excitement in the feel of this piece.
One of the highlights and special moments of the concert was guest Bonnie de la Hunty's singing of Rachmaninoff's Vocalise. Her brother, Hamish de la Hunty (Year 12, Shearer) together with Adrian Khoo accompanied her in this stunning arrangement. This song composed in 1910 is performed with a chosen syllable from the singer and there are no words. Bonnie has sung with the Senior String Orchestra on several past occasions and will shortly go to England to complete a Masters of Performance Degree in Voice. We were very pleased to welcome her to our concert.
After Bonnie's performance, Hamish played the virtuoso work of Tambourin Chinois by Fritz Kreisler, a fast piece that Hamish handled with ease and with great musical expression.
Many of the boys were in multiple items eager to perform with their different ensembles. The Year 12 String Quartet and the Senior String Ensemble combined forces to perform a fantastic arrangement of Bohemian Rhapsody and Counting Stars. The piece was accompanied by Ebunoluwa Daramola (Year 10, Ross) on the Drum Kit and Adrian Khoo on the piano.
We were also fortunate to have the community group, The Perth Scottish Fiddlers play a set featuring traditional and contemporary Scottish Music. For the Scottish music fan's in the audience there was some toe-tapping and a sing along.
The evening finished with the Senior Guitar Ensemble performing Hotel California, Dragon Racing and combined forces with the Senior String Orchestra to end on a spectacular rendition of pieces by Henri Mancini and Sweet Child of Mine by Axl Rose.
Senior String Orchestra and Senior Guitar Ensemble.
It was a great concert and many thanks go to the accompanying staff who rehearse with the ensembles each week. Rob Spence arranged many pieces and Sarina Li, Noeleen Wright and Zac Grafton came to support the ensembles. Special thanks also to Friends of Scotch Music for setting up the tea and coffee and to Erica Lorimer who assisted with special photographs and filming. Kale Tatam kindly stayed to make sure the lighting and microphones were set at the right levels. Special thanks to the parents in the audience who are just as enthusiastic in supporting their son's enjoyment and learning skills in Strings and Guitar. It was wonderful to see all the boys perform at such a high level of performance and commitment.
A special mention of the many Year 12 students who will be sorely missed after this year. We hope that they will come back and perform with us again in the future. They are respectful, confident young men who performed and shared their skills with great enthusiasm. Parents and I are very proud of the student's presentation and contribution to the evening. Well done everyone.
Ms Ibolya Mikajlo
Head of Strings
On Tuesday 18 August the Concert Band Showcase was presented in the Dickinson Centre. This Showcase enabled 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 performances were well received by all in the audience and the cameo appearance by Mr Burt performing the "gun" for special effects in the "Police Academy March" tune was a special moment. The Middle School Concert Band also performed well, directed expertly by Ms Wydra and a polished night of performances were enjoyed by all. My thanks to all the students who performed, the parents in the audience who supported all those on stage, and the Instrumental Tutors who sat in to play with the musicians, filling the spaces normally occupied by those boys on the Pipe Band Tour and the Stanford Tour.
Last Saturday 22 August, the Senior Guitar Ensemble performed two pieces "Hotel California" by The Eagles and "Dragon Racing" which is the Main Theme from "How to Train Your Dragon 2" at the WA International Classical Guitar Ensemble Festival. This Festival followed on from the previous Jazz and Orchestra Festival. All boys arrived full of enthusiasm with the energy continuing onto the stage where the ensemble gave a great performance. I, together with Mr Spence who directed the ensemble, would like to thank the musicians and parents for their commitment and dedication.
Upcoming Events:
There are several entertaining events scheduled for this term outlined below and I commend all of these performances to you.
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 the 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 hyard 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.
Mr David Coughlan
Head of Music
