Generations in Jazz at Mt Gambier 2025
This year, Generations in Jazz saw our largest group to date, travel to Mount Gambier and compete in this national competition.
The festival, which began in 1982, is a combination of clinics, performances and concerts. The Senior Stage Band performed in Division 3 of the Stage Band Awards, the Intermediate Stage Band in Division 4+ and the four Jazz Combos (Electric, Blue, Trigg and Nu) competed in the small combo division.
After a seven-hour journey, our 41 students arrived and settled into the Mil- lel Community Hall that we were to call our home for the weekend. We rugged up and headed to festival for dinner and were then treated to a fabulous concert by the Gordon Goodwin’s Little Phat Band and performances by Darren Percival of ‘The Voice’ fame and Michelle Nicolle, who is regarded as one of Australia’s finest Jazz singers.
Saturday morning arrived and competition began for Tintern with Combo Blue up first at 8.00am followed quickly by Combo Electric and the Trigg Combo. They delivered great performances and the feedback was positive, insightful and generous.
The Senior Stage Band wowed the audience and adjudicators alike with their performance. The Nu Jazz Band was up next and again, they did not disappoint. Their performances tackled new and interesting repertoire that demonstrated a real passion for pushing the artform of Jazz into new and interesting places.
Finally at 4pm, it was Intermediate Stage Bands time to shine. Despite waiting all day, they were strong, energetic and did not let the enormity of it all get to them. Ably lead by their Music Director Ben Taylor, their performance elicited some fantastic feedback from their adjudicator.
Saturday night saw the announcements of the Super Band members and the Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band. Tintern Grammar’s Elisha Sze was named Lead Alto of the Division 3 Super Band (meaning she was the best alto saxophone player in the division with over 40 bands competing!). This is a wonderful national recognition of the work that Elisha has put into her music for many years and her fellow students are very excited for her and are inspired by her achievement.
What better way to celebrate her success than with a concert from arguably the greatest Big Band in the world now. These musicians did not disappoint!
Our students returned home tired, but with their cups full of inspiration, friendship and memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you to Ben Taylor, Karl McNamara, Dave Bathgate, Katie Howell and Ashley Honan for your tireless work over the weekend to look after our students and give them the best experience possible.
Lisa Clarke
Head of Music
First Twilight Concert for 2025
On Tuesday 29 April, Tintern’s music department held the first Twilight Concert of the year where students shared their beautiful music with an audience and gained performance experience. Twilight Concerts are an incredible way to bring together the community in a delightful night of diverse genres of music and to allow VCE musicians and students undergoing assessments to practise their pieces. There were a variety of instruments showcased on the night including violins, French horn, pianists, and guitarists. The atmosphere was warm and inviting and allowed everyone to enjoy themselves in a supportive environment.
Every student took a step outside of their comfort zone and should be proud of their performances. Many of our performers were accompanied by the talented Mr Adrian Szondy and Ms Tori Wood, without whom this evening could not have occurred. The students would like to thank them for their dedication and kindness towards the students and the school.
Other staff who contributed to the success of the evening included Mrs Bezaire, our Director of Music, Mrs Clarke, our Head of Instrumental Music, Mrs Quigley, our Music Administrator, and a number of instrumental staff who were present on the night, including Mr Bathgate, Mr Hobiger, Mr Washburn, Mr Willliams. They all work hard every day to ensure our music programs aid the students reach their fullest potentials.
Matilda Robson
Instrumental Music Captain 2025
