In what has been a rousing return to live music at Kew, Piccolo Canto choir captured the imaginations of their audience at their concert in June, taking them on a journey that was full of fun, vibrant colour and joy – exactly what we have all needed for so very long! Following this first major live concert, our Winter Concert featured Los Bandidos, Vivace, Bel Canto, Fully Strung and Plecstrum as well as Year 6 soloists. Once again, it was a very positive return to performing before a highly appreciative, capacity audience. Our theme for the evening was ‘Play On!’ and it began in style with a dad and daughter duet – Keira Chan and her father – playing The Super Mario Theme on the piano with the game projected above them; what an appropriate way to start our concert, let alone resumption to live music making! Angela Feng was our other Year 6 soloist who played with such beauty and confidence on the flute, re-establishing what it is to be a Year 6 leader and musician once more.
Since then, there has been a busy hive of activity in Junior School. Beginner Band has commenced for 2022, and record numbers of Year 4 and 5 students have embraced the opportunity to learn an instrument. After having been to the beautiful Hamer Hall in the city to see the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra present The Carnival of the Animals along with gorgeous puppetry, our Year 2s have begun their own journey as orchestral stringed players themselves this term. Year 4 have recently been to the MSO themselves, to hear and be inspired by Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. It was great to find that a Carey alum was conducting the orchestra for the performance!
Our singers have certainly not been idle, with Bel Canto participating in the Victorian Schools Music Festival primary choral section, receiving positive feedback and a gold level for their efforts. Our junior singers and Vivace choir have also performed as part of the combined Junior School singers Soiree held in our refurbished Chapel. Before a very enthusiastic and supportive audience, our junior singers showed such poise and courage as they sang as soloists, and also as part of our chamber choir.
Looking ahead for the remainder of this term and beyond, there are major Music Assemblies on the horizon, where our beginner and novice groups will perform before the school. Our year level Bumble Bee choirs, Beginner Band and No Strings Attached orchestra will demonstrate their great work and inspire new students to also join in the great joy of playing and learning together in a community of musicians. As we look forward to Term 4, there are many preparations under way for our next major performances, with so many more opportunities to shine and make more great stories together. Congratulations to all of our musicians for their commitment, hard work and wonderful performances to date. I am really looking forward to seeing their continued growth and development over the remainder of the year and at our next performances.
Timothy Barker
Head of Junior School Music
