Music Notes

Congratulations to Winston Lam (Year 8 Fereday) who completed his AMEB Grade 2 Trumpet exam and achieved an A grade.

Celebration of Football 2019 Football Federation of South Australia

We recently accepted an invitation to perform at the South Australian Soccer Federation’s Celebration of Football on Saturday 12 October. Vocal Jazz 1 had already performed the National Anthem at Coopers Stadium before the final of the Senior Woman’s match and then again before the Senior Men’s match.

Representatives from the FFSA visited Westminster to hear Vocal Jazz perform 'The Greatest Show' by Panic! At the Disco. They were so impressed that they asked Vocal Jazz to open the whole event.

Vocal Jazz 1 were accompanied by a four piece student rhythm section as well as trumpet, trombone and saxophone. All were Westminster students and Old Scholars.

The opening number was to an audience of over 1000 patrons at the Adelaide Convention Centre. It was a spectacular start to the evening and the students received very worthwhile praise. Congratulations to all students involved for giving up their holiday time to perform and represent their school in such a professional manner.

Thanks to Ms Chris Gould for rehearsing the piece and to Ms Carolyn Obst for her work with costuming and choreography which added another level of professionalism and sophistication to the whole performance.

Southern Jazz Club

Big Band 1 accepted an invitation to perform at the Southern Jazz Club (Highway Hotel) on Tuesday 15 October (the first day back at school). School groups normally play a 30 minute set before the professional musicians start. We were asked however to run the whole evening. The band played its whole repertoire, as well as “ran through” five new charts the day before the gig. Everyone in the band took on a solo during the evening!

Well done to Big band 1 for such a courageous effort in front of an appreciative full house.

Forthcoming events

As we continue our farewells to a number of Year 12 students, a few more performances will include a few more farewells. This begins on Sunday with the Strings and Orchestra Concert. Everyone is very welcome to attend these events.

Strings and Orchestra Concert
Sunday 27 October at 2.00 pm
Sir Shirley Jeffries Memorial Chapel, Westminster School
This will feature our Senior String Ensemble, Senior Orchestra and a few soloists plus an item from Jacob Wilson ('17).

Prep Showcase
Tuesday 29 October at 7.00 pm
Michael Murray Centre
The Prep Showcase will feature all of the Prep Ensembles in a great night of music from students in Year 2 through to Year 7.

Twilight Concert
Wednesday 30 October at 6.00 pm
Michael Murray Centre
Our Year 8, 9 and 10 music classes and Year 8 dance classes will perform a segment of their year’s work for parents and families. Everyone is warmly welcome.

Art Show 2019
Friday 15 November at 6.00 pm
Art Department, Westminster School
Come and see some fantastic work by our visual artists. During that time be entertained by the Ukulele Ensemble, and both Senior and Junior Rock bands.

Michael Degenhart
Director of Music