PLC Music

now... PLC in Print | November 2020

OCA Melba Music Concert Video

Our long planned, OCA Melba Music Concert is now a video posted on our Facebook page and the PLC website for everyone to enjoy in their own homes. The concert was planned across 18 months to celebrate 145 years of PLC music and our talented Old Collegian musicians. We greatly appreciate the many Old Collegians musicians and composers who encouraged us. Although COVID-19 restrictions precluded many of our musicians from travelling and performing on the day, it is wonderful to honour the spirit of our original plans with this video for you to enjoy at home and share with your family and friends. The video is 78 minutes long and is an edited and enhanced version of the livestream that was recorded in the empty PLC Performing Arts Centre on 21 March, 2020. The microphone problems have been edited out to allow you to enjoy these eight items. We are very proud that Items 4–7 have all been composed by our own Old Collegians. Past Director of Music, Dr. Ros McMillan (1959) AM and our Compere Lisa Leong (1989) will guide you through the program here. www.plc.vic.edu.au/about/oldcollegians/news-events/ocas-melbamusic-concert-video

Music

The PLC Music Department prides itself on the range of musical activities that are provided to students throughout the College. As well as regular events such as the Autumn Melodies, Grand Concert, Spring Concert, Jazz Cab and Retro Night, a number of smaller instrumental concerts, workshops and masterclasses are held each year to benefit our talented music students. Alas, 2020 did not turn out the way we had planned, and we have not been able to hold any scheduled events. However, our ever-resourceful and creative music teachers have been remarkable in the way they have adapted to distance learning. With no real prior experience of delivering music lessons online, they have created music activities days, organised online concerts and ensemble rehearsals on top of their day-to-day teaching. It is terrific to see how engaged our students have been with music throughout this difficult time.

The Gala Celebration is the pinnacle of events on the music calendar each year, featuring our top ensembles and soloists. Again, coronavirus has interrupted our plans but in lieu of the event at Hamer Hall, we were able to view an online retrospective of Gala Celebrations from 2009 – 2019. It was wonderful to look back and see the outstanding performances that have taken place and the consistently high standard of music-making that our students manage to produce each year.

A large number of our students present for AMEB exams each year, but this year exams have also taken on a different nature. Many students have undertaken exams by video as face-to-face exams have not been possible.

Coronavirus has certainly made 2020 a year to remember. It may have stopped a large number of activities taking place but it takes more than a virus to stop the music! Now, more than ever, music has an important role to play as it brings communities together and creates social connections in this time of isolation. Whether it be uploading a recording on Youtube, taking part in a street sing-along from the confines of the driveway, or attending online concerts, music has been seen throughout the world as a panacea in these troubled times. Nevertheless, we eagerly await the day that that we can join to make music together again!