Music in the Community
The last fortnight has been another eventful and rewarding time for our music students.
On Friday 3 November, the OLMC Choir joined with Marcellin’s Champagnat Choir to rehearse and record a performance of ‘Baba Yetu’. This was a wonderful experience for our students as it gave them the opportunity of performing with male voices to create a four-part choir. Students rehearsed with both choir leaders and were exposed to different interpretations of how the piece could be performed. In the end students accomplished a joyous recording which can be used at future events as needed.
On Thursday 9 November students from String Ensemble, String Prodigy and OLMC Choir entertained the residents of Mercy Place, Parkville, with a morning concert. With pop hits such as ‘Chandelier’ and some golden oldies like ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’, the students were able to share their hard work and dedication to ensembles with an audience who clapped along. The morning ended with ABBA’s ‘Dancing Queen’ which many residents were seen singing along to. The highlight for many was when a resident was heard to say to her carer, ‘This is not normally my thing but I quite liked it!’
Finally, over 50 students from Year 7 to 9 currently undertaking instrumental music lessons performed to a large turn-out of family and friends. The evening performance ran across two venues and it was wonderful to see how much progress all students have made across the year. Performing as a soloist, part of a rock band or in a small ensemble is always a challenge and every student should be proud of the way they performed. We hope these talented students continue their musical journeys next year as plenty of musical potential was displayed throughout the evening.
With a few more events coming up, ensembles and lessons continue to run. We are also at the point of planning for 2024, so look out for some new ensembles and music experiences which will be available to all students next year regardless of their musical ability and experience.
Jo-Anne Mileto
Instrumental Music Coordinator
