5 minute read
VET Music students
NICOLE ROACHE, MARKETING MANAGER
In addition to the vast array of co-curricular opportunities for music The Geelong College offers a number of music subjects to VCE level, including VCE Music Performance, VCE Music Investigation and VET Music Industry (Performance). Over the past two years our Year 12 music students have missed many opportunities to perform due to COVID-19, so we thought we’d introduce a few of them to you and show you what they can do!
Maggie Gilby
What music subject/s are you studying?
This year I am studying VET Music Industry.
What is your main instrument? Do you play others?
My primary instrument is voice, but I love to play around on the piano too!
What style of music do you most enjoy and why?
I adore various genres of music, but I would have to say that Jazz is one of my favourites. I love the soul and emotion that Jazz enables you to express, as well as the warm feeling it creates.
Why did you choose to study a VCE Music subject?
I chose to study music because it is one of my grandest passions. The music department fosters so much talent and I couldn’t resist being a part of that. Music also creates an escape for me, and I needed to make sure I had that outlet within my studies.
What are you hoping to do in the future? (With music and outside of music.)
I am hoping to move to Melbourne to study Communications at RMIT. I never want to stop music, so I hope to gig around Melbourne, seek musical opportunities and maybe even reunite with the TGC music teachers for a performance or two…
What is the best thing about doing music as a subject?
The absolute best thing about doing music is the accepting and effervescent buzz that is created when playing as a band or solo. Experimenting with a new style, or attempting a new instrument is never something to be embarrassed by, rather something to be appreciated and encouraged.
Scan the QR Code to hear Maggie perform
Elizabeth Kefaloukos
What music subject/s are you studying?
I am currently studying Music Performance.
What is your main instrument? Do you play others?
My main instrument is the piano, but I also learn the bassoon and the pipe organ here at College. I also play the Irish tin whistle and trombone and have enjoyed teaching myself the drums, bass guitar, trumpet and a few others!
What style of music do you most enjoy and why?
My favourite style is classical music. I love how music, which was composed quite a long time ago, transcends age and is still so relevant today. I believe classical music contains themes inherent within the human condition- such as love, death, grief, joy and this is something I enjoy exploring within myself too, as I try and communicate a story through my playing.
Why did you choose to study a VCE Music subject?
I have always planned to study VCE Music, since coming to College in Year 7 and immediately finding a home within the Music Department. I feel that the AMEB exams I have completed including previous study in Music Theory really complemented the subject and motivated me to continue my studies within a classroom environment which was a very different experience.
What are you hoping to do in the future? (With music and outside of music.)
I hope to continue my musical studies into tertiary education, which hopefully will provide some opportunities to perform in the future. I also have a passion for Law and social justice – particularly issues surrounding human rights, so I am keen to see how these two interests might converge at some point.
What is the best thing about doing music as a subject?
I think the best thing about learning music, is the structure of the course and the wonderful mentors we meet, who encourage us to develop and discover ourselves as musicians and individuals. Through my performance subject, I have learned a lot about the elements of music, and how they inform and influence an interpretation. I think this growth has allowed me to gain fresh insight into my own pieces and fuelled my passion for performance!
Scan the QR Code to hear Elizabeth perform
VET Music students (from left) Darcey Byrne, Alison McHarry, India Connor, Imogen Edwards.
Darcey Byrne
What music subject/s are you studying?
I am currently studying VET music.
What is your main instrument? Do you play others?
My main instrument is vocals; however, I also play keys.
What style of music do you most enjoy and why?
The style of music that I most enjoy is pop music. I think that this is because I can always find a song to match my emotions.
Why did you choose to study a VCE Music subject?
I chose to study a VCE Music subject because I get so much joy from playing and creating music. I find that it is a great outlet, and it always makes me feel so happy.
What are you hoping to do in the future? (With music and outside of music.)
I am not sure what I am planning on doing in the future, but I know that I always want music to be a part of my life.
What is the best thing about doing music
as a subject? The best thing about doing music as a subject is getting to know the other students who share the same passion as you and creating bonds over that.
Scan the QR Code to hear Darcey perform
Alison McHarry
What music subject/s are you studying?
VET music
What is your main instrument? Do you play others?
I mainly sing, but I can also play piano.
What style of music do you most enjoy and why?
I enjoy acoustic music and songs with well thought out lyrics.
Why did you choose to study a VCE Music subject?
I wanted to study VET music as I have a passion for music and performing, and I wanted to see where I could take my song writing.
What are you hoping to do in the future? (With music and outside of music.)
I am hoping to study graphic design at university and keep pursuing music and drama at the same time.
What is the best thing about doing music as a subject?
Being able to perform with likeminded people who are also passionate about music and pushing each other to create something that you never thought you could.
