2019 Events |
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Adelaide Uni Jazz Workshop
On Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 January, students from around South Australia between the ages of 10 and 24 came together for a 2 day experience with professional jazz musicians. The 2 day “camp” had various group activities including: instrumental masterclasses, improvisation classes and jazz combo groups. Participants were able to choose which level group they would like to play with, to be challenged but not discouraged, and those with more than one instrument could attend different masterclasses. The 2 day experience was highly satisfactory and was an excellent exposure to realistic jazz settings, for musicians of all levels of experience. All the mentors were extremely supportive and offered invaluable advice for technique and how to rehearse efficiently. For anyone interested in investigating this opportunity, sign up for the next camp and make the most of this experience.
Jayden Doe (Year 12)
Jayden Doe (Year 12)
Adelaide Horn Day
On Sunday 3 February, the Adelaide Horn Jam held their first workshop available to French horn players of all ages, from beginner to advanced levels of experience. The day consisted of a range of activities and allowed for horn players across Adelaide to get to know one another while learning new skills and using their abilities to their full potential.
There were three groups to which players were assigned, being beginner, intermediate and advanced. The workshop began with a warmup class led by professional horn players. This class was highly beneficial and gave players both a good insight into what an ideal practicing routine could include, and an understanding of what each warm-up exercise targets. The next activity was the performance, during which each horn ensemble performed 2-3 pieces, having only learned them within a few hours. After such, the retailer expo took place, which displayed horns, music and horn-related accessories as well as a museum-like feature exhibited in the upstairs region of the Promethean Hall.
The day concluded with a recital consisting of pieces written by Australian composer Catherine Likhuta, featuring 2 professional horn players who demonstrated the many ways in which the horn can achieve a variety of different tones and textures, giving a spectacular performance while also explaining the reasoning behind much of what they do. Overall, it was a highly enjoyable and rewarding day.
Brontë Fitzgibbons (Year 11)
There were three groups to which players were assigned, being beginner, intermediate and advanced. The workshop began with a warmup class led by professional horn players. This class was highly beneficial and gave players both a good insight into what an ideal practicing routine could include, and an understanding of what each warm-up exercise targets. The next activity was the performance, during which each horn ensemble performed 2-3 pieces, having only learned them within a few hours. After such, the retailer expo took place, which displayed horns, music and horn-related accessories as well as a museum-like feature exhibited in the upstairs region of the Promethean Hall.
The day concluded with a recital consisting of pieces written by Australian composer Catherine Likhuta, featuring 2 professional horn players who demonstrated the many ways in which the horn can achieve a variety of different tones and textures, giving a spectacular performance while also explaining the reasoning behind much of what they do. Overall, it was a highly enjoyable and rewarding day.
Brontë Fitzgibbons (Year 11)
Merit Ceremony
Our first major excursion for 2019 was to Government House for the SACE Merit Ceremony on Tuesday 5 February. This year, five ensembles performed: the Clara String Quartet; the Jana String Quartet; the Jazz Combo; the Dixieland Band; and the Brass Ensemble, who performed the Vice-Regal Salute with musicians from the other Special Interest Music Centres.
Luke Thompson Workshop
On a much-anticipated Tuesday afternoon, the Brighton Jazz Choir gathered in the Concert Hall for a workshop with lecturer, sax player and vocalist Luke Thompson to prepare us for the annual Generations in Jazz Festival. Luke, an enthusiastic, charismatic and energetic teacher, led our ten-piece ensemble with experience and finesse. Across two hours of intense, repetitive practice, we saw an enormous improvement in our pieces, The Kitchen Sink and Lullaby of Birdland, — especially in the feel and emotional journey of The Kitchen Sink. The workshop was incredibly beneficial for our group, raising our standard to competition level.
Cassie Lee (Year 11)
Cassie Lee (Year 11)
Jonathon Glonek Masterclass
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On Tuesday 26 March, Jonathon Glonek, an Australian violinist held a concert and masterclass for students at our school. He performed a lunch time concert, performing Concerto V by Vieuxtemps and Beau Soir by Debussy. It was an amazing experience for us to see how a professional violinist performs. He then held a master class for violin students Jereyll Chia, Niamh Michael-Roubos and I. He listened to us perform our pieces and gave us constructive criticism to improve our performances and technique. It was a great experience to get feedback and help from a professional violinist. Overall, it was a very inspiring and rewarding experience.
Ashlyn von Bertouch (Year 11) |
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John Morrison & Jacki Cooper: Artists in Residence
On Friday week 9, John Morrison and Jacki Cooper came to Brighton Secondary School to workshop the school’s ensembles that are heading to a nationwide jazz competition in May, Generations in Jazz. I was a part of 2 of these workshops being in Jazz Choir and Big Band 1 and gained a lot of knowledge from both Morrison and Cooper. A well-known professional drummer, Morrison improved our ensembles, Jazz Combo, Dixieland Band, Big Band 1 and Big Band 2 and was a whole lot of fun to be around. Cooper, a professional jazz singer helped out our different singing groups, in particular Jazz Choir. It was an amazing experience having her workshop us and by the end of it we felt as though we were ready to perform, in perfect time for our Jazz on the Green concert on Tuesday 2 April. The day was an amazing experience for me and I am so grateful to be a part of this music program and have so many amazing opportunities like this and going to Mount Gambier to perform in the Division 1 tent at Generations in Jazz.
Tom Keough (Year 11)
Tom Keough (Year 11)
Jazz on the Green
Adam Page Workshop
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In week 11 of term 1, we had a very exciting guest kind enough to perform to music students. Adam Page, who is a renowned Australian musician, came to Brighton Secondary School and taught us the art of looping. Armed with a looping pedal, many unique, interesting instruments and a sense of humour, he delivered an interactive and enjoyable performance, showing us his brilliant improvisational and musical skills along with some fancy footwork. He made it seems as if he had a whole concert band behind him! Of course, if you closed your eyes, it would sound that way but we were all too fascinated by his music that we didn’t want to stop watching. He presented many different genres – each with a unique twist. I think everyone enjoyed his performance with a flute originating from South America. It was a hugely enjoyable experience that left everyone inspired and reimagining what a looping pedal can do.
Izzy Macpherson (Year 9) |
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ANZAC Day - Dawn Service
On April 25 the students of the Tour Choir met at Brighton's Arch of Remembrance to perform at the ANZAC Day Dawn Service.
Generations in Jazz
On Friday 3 May, 48 talented students and 5 staff embarked on an incredible adventure to Generations in Jazz 2019 in Mount Gambier. After months of tiresome preparation, the students competed against hundreds of schools from all over Australia, and New Zealand. With 5 ensembles, Brighton Secondary School presented outstanding performances from the Dixieland Band (4th place), Jazz Combo (3rd place), Jazz Choir (division 2, 10th place), Big Band 2 (division 3, 5th place), and Big Band 1 (division 1, 10th place). For some it was the first, for others the last of many treasured memories.
Ethan Back (Year 12)
Ethan Back (Year 12)
Elder Conservatorium Brass Ensemble
We were thrilled to host the Elder Conservatorium Brass Ensemble, directed by Bryan Griffiths on June 11. The respective brass ensembles from Brighton and “the Con” performed for each other. The conservatorium students also mentored our brass students in the art of warming up before a combined finale.
Andrew Barrett – Head of Music
Andrew Barrett – Head of Music
Symphony by the Sea
In the major concert for Sinfonia and the Symphony Orchestra, Symphony by the Sea (15 June 2019) took on a slightly different flavour with the involvement of the Rotary Club of Somerton Park, who now sponsor a solo competition in term 4. The winners of the 2018 competition performed at Symphony by the Sea before all place winners were presented with their prize money. Another highlight was the Concerto for Marimba and Vibes by Eric Bryce, performed by percussion virtuoso Ryszard Pusz with the Symphony Orchestra.
Andrew Barrett – Head of Music
Andrew Barrett – Head of Music
Concert Band - A Concert for our Retired Community
On Wednesday 3 July, the Concert Band hosted an afternoon performance for members of our local retired community. The Concert Hall came alive with popular melodies from The Lion King and The Polar Express, accompanied by regal and energetic sounds from classics like Dance of Chivalry with its bursting brass lines and frenzy of crowd-pleasing tones.
Four Year 12 students were assessed during the performance for their Stage 2 Ensemble Performance subject. They performed confidently and were very pleased with their efforts.
After the concert, Section Leaders participated in a meet and greet session in the foyer where guests had the opportunity to chat with students about music at Brighton.
Jacinda Ormston
Four Year 12 students were assessed during the performance for their Stage 2 Ensemble Performance subject. They performed confidently and were very pleased with their efforts.
After the concert, Section Leaders participated in a meet and greet session in the foyer where guests had the opportunity to chat with students about music at Brighton.
Jacinda Ormston
Shai Martin: Artist in Residence
We welcomed Old Scholar, Shai Martin, back to Brighton in week 10 of term 2 for a 2-day residency. The major project during this time was a democratic song-writing project undertaken by the year 10 Special Interest Music students. In addition to this, Shai performed for all music students, delivered a music industry talk and facilitated other workshops – leaving the students enthused and inspired.
Andrew Barrett – Head of Music
Andrew Barrett – Head of Music
Bassoon Workshop
On Friday 26th July, some of our bassoon students attended a workshop to learn about reed-making and hear from Brighton Secondary School Old Scholar Chris Buckley. Chris is currently studying bassoon performance at Elder Conservatorium, and took the students through the reed-making process, the basics of the contrabassoon, and some advanced techniques before performing some duets. It was wonderful to see the students engaged and enthused by Chris’ demonstrations. Here are some of their reflections:
“I was glad that there was even a bassoon workshop in the first place, so I was already very excited beforehand. The workshop definitely reached my expectations and beyond. My favourite part about it was the performances (although everything about it was really fun and interesting), It made me want to practise more and get better at bassoon to reach that level some day. I also learnt a lot more about bassoon which was cool, but the contrabassoon was even cooler! Thank you for giving me this fun opportunity to learn more about bassoon.”
Chelsea Easton (year 9)
“The contra-bassoon was really cool and I enjoyed the performance
It was pretty neato.”
Kevin Xia (year 10)
“I enjoyed the process of making reeds and also seeing the contra bassoon.”
Ngan Tran (year 8)
Samantha Penny (bassoon teacher)
“I was glad that there was even a bassoon workshop in the first place, so I was already very excited beforehand. The workshop definitely reached my expectations and beyond. My favourite part about it was the performances (although everything about it was really fun and interesting), It made me want to practise more and get better at bassoon to reach that level some day. I also learnt a lot more about bassoon which was cool, but the contrabassoon was even cooler! Thank you for giving me this fun opportunity to learn more about bassoon.”
Chelsea Easton (year 9)
“The contra-bassoon was really cool and I enjoyed the performance
It was pretty neato.”
Kevin Xia (year 10)
“I enjoyed the process of making reeds and also seeing the contra bassoon.”
Ngan Tran (year 8)
Samantha Penny (bassoon teacher)
Salsa Band - University of Adelaide excursion
On Monday 5 August, Brighton Secondary School’s Salsa Band led by Mrs Whelan attended the University of Adelaide’s Latin Ensemble rehearsal. The students had the opportunity to work alongside experienced university students who were able to provide support and advice.
The rehearsal, led by Dr Mark Ferguson, started with rhythmic practice. This enabled both groups to collaborate and extend their learning and playing skills. The activity required focus and counting, and although it was a challenging activity that required focus, the conductor still made it enjoyable. Once warmed up, the university students helped our junior ensemble with our Music Spectacular piece ‘Smooth Criminal’ by Michael Jackson, which has been adapted by Ms Whelan to suit the experience level of the ensemble.
The day was extremely useful for the junior ensemble because with help from the university students, we were able to fix and improve difficult sections, and we obtained a better understanding of what we need to aim to in the future.
Owen Davies (Year 10)
The rehearsal, led by Dr Mark Ferguson, started with rhythmic practice. This enabled both groups to collaborate and extend their learning and playing skills. The activity required focus and counting, and although it was a challenging activity that required focus, the conductor still made it enjoyable. Once warmed up, the university students helped our junior ensemble with our Music Spectacular piece ‘Smooth Criminal’ by Michael Jackson, which has been adapted by Ms Whelan to suit the experience level of the ensemble.
The day was extremely useful for the junior ensemble because with help from the university students, we were able to fix and improve difficult sections, and we obtained a better understanding of what we need to aim to in the future.
Owen Davies (Year 10)
Yr 5/10 Band Workshop
On Thursday the 8th of August the year 10 music students attended the Primary School’s Concert Band workshop with a large group of beginner musicians from years 5 and 6. The role of the year 10’s was to mentor and help the younger students with playing their music during their beginner stages of playing their instrument. The rehearsal was a great opportunity for beginner music students to interact with older and more experienced instrumentalists. We worked diligently all rehearsal and then performed the workshopped pieces to friends and family members. Overall, the year 10s found the workshop to be a valuable and rewarding experience. Being able to mentor and perform with the primary school kids led us to further develop some fundamental skills like leadership and communication which would help us with forwarding our level of musicianship in the future.
Mina Johansson (year 10)
Mina Johansson (year 10)
Essentially Ellington Down Under
Over the last two days, both of our hardworking Brighton big bands have been involved in a spectacular festival celebrating all things Duke Ellington. The festival began with performance day on the 21st of August in Brighton Secondary School’s Concert hall. Warmup was jittery with nerves and excitement as the bands prepared themselves for their performances against colleges and high schools from all over Adelaide.
After performing, the bands were then led into the theatre where they spend 45 minutes with either Jerome Jennings or Vincent Gardner workshopping their pieces. We learnt many things from these spectacular jazz musicians such as:
For most of the bands, this was the end of the festival until results were announced. However, Big Band 2 still had a surprise teach-the-teachers workshop on the 22nd. Over the course of 2 hours, American jazz drummer Jerome and American jazz trombonist Vincent, workshopped our three pieces with us and taught other conductors how to manage a big band and make music. One of the main messages that stuck with the majority of the big bands was to make the notes on the page pop with style and energy and, of course, lots of vibrato!
Molly Thomas (Year 9)
After performing, the bands were then led into the theatre where they spend 45 minutes with either Jerome Jennings or Vincent Gardner workshopping their pieces. We learnt many things from these spectacular jazz musicians such as:
- The importance of breathing
- Vibrato
- How to listen and adapt to each other and our section leaders.
For most of the bands, this was the end of the festival until results were announced. However, Big Band 2 still had a surprise teach-the-teachers workshop on the 22nd. Over the course of 2 hours, American jazz drummer Jerome and American jazz trombonist Vincent, workshopped our three pieces with us and taught other conductors how to manage a big band and make music. One of the main messages that stuck with the majority of the big bands was to make the notes on the page pop with style and energy and, of course, lots of vibrato!
Molly Thomas (Year 9)