Welcome back to all our musical families for what promises to be an exciting term of music. Our students have been working incredibly hard, and we have a fantastic line-up of events to look forward to.
This term, nine of our ensembles will be performing at the Victorian School Music Festival (VSMF). This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to showcase their talent and receive valuable feedback from professional adjudicators, many of whom have travelled from overseas to attend the event. In addition, two of our ensembles will be traveling to Ballarat to compete in the Royal South Street Eisteddfod, a prestigious competition that attracts performers from all over Victoria.
We are also incredibly proud to announce that two of our students have been selected to feature in the upcoming Victorian State Schools Spectacular. This is a tremendous achievement and a testament to their dedication and skill. Congratulations to Ananya H and Prosper W (Year 12). I look forward to attending and celebrating your musical achievements.
We look forward to sharing these musical moments with you throughout the Term.
New Zealand Music Tour
I am excited to report on the recent Mount Waverley Secondary College Music Tour to New Zealand, which took place from 16 – 23 July. A group of 45 students and six staff members embarked on an unforgettable eight-night journey, visiting Auckland, Hamilton, and Rotorua.
The tour was a wonderful blend of musical performance, cultural immersion, and sightseeing. Our students participated in five different exchanges with local secondary schools and a polytechnic university, forging new friendships and sharing their musical talents. We were incredibly proud of their performances and their exemplary behaviour. We hope to host some of these schools in the future, as they have promised to visit us here in Melbourne.
Beyond the performances, the students had the opportunity to experience the beautiful sights of New Zealand. Highlights included a trip to the famous Weta Workshop, exploring Hobbiton, and enjoying the fun and exciting Skyrail and Luge rides. They also had a unique cultural experience with a Hāngī barbecue and witnessed the spectacular geysers at night before relaxing at a Polynesian Spa.
One of the most moving parts of the tour was the chance to engage with traditional Māori culture. Our students and staff were honoured to participate in Māori welcome ceremonies, which were both educational and deeply emotional. The students’ impeccable behaviour, manners, and musical abilities made us incredibly proud throughout the entire tour. It was a busy but amazing experience that created lasting memories for everyone involved.
A big thank you to our staff who volunteered to attend alongside of myself to make this tour possible; Mr Joseph Yu, Ms Melissa Knowles, Ms Cecilia Carlill, Mr Lewis Pierre-Humbert and Mr Kelvin Nguyen.
NEVR Spotlight Concert
Back in Term 1, our Stage Band prepared and submitted an audition to be featured in the NEVR Spotlight Concert. This special event showcases exceptional musical talent from government schools across the North Eastern region of Victoria. We were thrilled when we learned our band had been accepted.
On Monday 28 July, our talented musicians had the exciting opportunity to perform alongside other high-level school groups. The concert was held at the beautiful Recital Centre in Southbank, providing a truly wonderful and professional experience for all involved.
As the ensemble director, I couldn’t be prouder of this dedicated and hard-working group. It was an honour for them to be chosen to represent our college at such a prestigious event, and their performance was a testament to their talent and commitment.
Mrs Tijtje Keatley
Music Director