MYO Summer School an unmitigated success
Melbourne Youth Orchestras (formerly Melbourne Youth Music) has been the breeding ground of many of our elite professional musicians for over five decades. Over this time, many thousands of musicians have experienced the joy of making music in large ensemble settings and have had the opportunity to perform in Melbourne’s premier concert venues. This year the organisation hosted its 50th Summer School and, mercifully, the camp went ahead, largely unhindered by the effects of the pandemic. This was in no small part to the exceptional organisation by the team at MYO. Well over 500 students came together into string ensembles, symphony orchestras, and wind bands and jazz bands.
I was honoured to be appointed one of the conductors of this camp once again this year and thrilled to have the opportunity to return to the concert stage and conduct a large ensemble in one of our finest concert venues, the Elizabeth Murdoch Hall at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
It was equally very pleasing to note that two of Tintern’s double bass students, Etienne and Felix, also chose to enrol in the camp this year. Their smiling faces and enthusiastic review of the experience testified to the value of this experience. Etienne has shared her thoughts on the experience below.
We hope that this will signal the return to a regular schedule of live music performance opportunities, not only for Etienne and Felix, but for our enthusiastic community of young musicians at Tintern.
Tim Veldman
Head of Strings
Summer School of Music
During the summer holidays, my younger brother, Felix and I participated in a five-day Summer School with the Melbourne Youth Orchestra. This took place at the University of Melbourne Southbank Campus, in the city. I was a member of the Bremner Strings Orchestra, while Felix was a member of the Casey Strings Orchestra. During the five days we learnt a number of pieces, and took part in daily sessions with a tutor for each specific instrument. It was a fantastic experience which allowed us to broaden our skills and knowledge of working in an orchestra. On the Saturday morning after the summer school we performed the pieces we learnt throughout the week at a concert held at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
My favourite piece that I played was called Kalinin by Ivan Larionovarr. I enjoyed this piece because it progressively became faster and faster before coming to a complete stop. The structure of the piece was also very different from anything I had played before.
Felix’s favourite piece was called Fire Eater by Stephen Chin. He enjoyed this piece because the melody was very intense.
Etienne Meddings
Year 8
Ensembles firing up for 2022
In 2022 we are excited to have all of our instrumental and vocal ensembles returning to rehearsals, for what we hope will be a stable and productive year, full of music making. Our current ensemble members will be receiving emails from staff regarding the start dates for rehearsals in the coming days. However, we would like to make a special mention of and welcome our Year 7 families and new families to the school. We would love to see your son or daughter participating in and enjoying what the music department has to offer. We will be doing our best to visit classrooms to encourage students to join ensembles, but please, don’t hesitate to approach the music staff. We can support your child by finding the appropriate ensemble for them to join.
We offer both intermediate and advanced ensembles for most instruments, as well as wonderful choirs for all year levels. If you would like further information regarding the correct ensemble for your child, please email me at lclarke@tintern.vic.edu.au or visit us in the music department, where our friendly administrator Elizabeth Feenane, or any of our enthusiastic music staff, could help you find the right place for your child to thrive here at Tintern Grammar.
Lisa Clarke
Head of Music – Instrumental Performance
Year 7-12 ENSEMBLE REHEARSALS
MONDAYS
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*Senior Jazz Band |
Mrs Clarke |
7.30am Kelson Room |
Year 8-12 |
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Clarinet Ensemble |
Mrs Clarke |
1.00pm, Kelson Room |
Year 7-11 |
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Theory Club |
Music Captains |
1.00pm, WOO4 |
Year 7-12 |
TUESDAYS
|
Concert Choir |
Mrs Bezaire |
7.30am, Theatre |
Year 9-12 |
WEDNESDAYS
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Concert Band |
Mrs Clarke |
7.30am Kelson Room |
Year 7-9 |
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*Senior Girls’ Chamber Choir |
Mrs Bezaire |
7.30am, Theatre |
Year 10-12 (Auditioned) |
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Improvisation Class |
Mr Bathgate |
1.00pm, Kelson Room |
Year 8-12 |
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Scrolls String Orchestra |
Mrs Mackie |
7.30am, Area C |
Year 7-10 |
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Symphony Orchestra |
Mr Veldman |
3.45pm, Kelson Room |
Year 7-12 |
THURSDAYS
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Percussion Ensemble |
Ms Scarfe |
7.50am, Kelson Room |
Year 7-12 |
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Intermediate Choir |
Mrs Coburn & Mr Kidd |
1.00pm, Theatre |
Year 7-9 |
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*Band-Ana |
Mr McLean Davies |
1.00pm, Kelson |
Year 11-12 |
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Intermediate Jazz Band |
Mrs Clarke |
3.35pm, Kelson Room |
Year 7-9 |
FRIDAYS
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Wind Symphony |
Mrs Clarke |
7.30am, Kelson Room |
Year 8-12 |
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*Chamber Orchestra |
Mr Veldman |
7.30am, Area B Stage |
Year 8-12 |
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Saxophone Ensemble |
Mr Legge |
1.30pm, WO04 |
Year 8-12 |
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Flute Ensemble |
Ms Patton |
1.30pm, Kelson |
Year 7-12 |
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= Lunchtime Rehearsals |
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*Auditioned
MUSIC LOCKERS FOR HIRE
Our Friends of Music Parent Committee manage the hiring of music lockers in the music corridor for the safe, lockable storage of personal and hired instruments which students may wish to store securely whilst at school. The fee per term for a locker is $10. The funds raised are returned to the Music Department to support the purchase of music and instruments and to support funding of special musical events.
JOIN OUR FRIENDLY FRIENDS OF MUSIC
We have a wonderful team of parents who support our music staff and students at Tintern through fundraising, and also by providing services such as serving tea and coffee at concerts, organising ensemble photos and assisting us at Music Camp. If your child is musical (or even if you don’t have a musical child, but would love to support music making at Tintern), please contact fom@tintern.vic.edu.au for further information. The committee’s first meeting will be held in the CM Wood Common Room on Wednesday 23 February at 7.00pm. The proceedings will commence with a brief AGM, followed by a regular meeting. Evidence of current vaccination status must be provided upon arrival and parents must remain masked and socially distanced at these meetings. New members most welcome!
Click here to learn more about the Friends of Music.
