Music “Edstock was again a popular event during Edmund Rice Day with some quality performances delivered. Audience support was evident and all the boys were well supported. ‘Rycka’, Riley Harman and Mackenzie Heard, was awarded the trophy as a result of a very promising performance. This band has grown and developed during the year. ” - David Gallaher
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2013 has been a busy and rewarding year for St Joseph’s College Music Department.We held an in-house Music Camp at the College in Term 1 which provided an early stimulus for our performing groups. We were delighted to have Sue Arney work with our Junior and Intermediate Bands as well as visiting Melbourne and local expert teachers, who helped kick start the Senior and Stage Bands. Edstock was again a popular event during Edmund Rice Day with some quality performances delivered. Audience support was evident and all the boys were well supported. ‘Rycka’, Riley Harman and Mackenzie Heard, was awarded the trophy as a result of a very promising performance. This band has grown and developed during the year. The Mothers’ Day Mass is not only a special day for Mothers and Sons, but also special because it marks the first performance of our Junior Band Academy. The ACC held successful workshops in Melbourne for the Vocal Ensemble, Percussionists, Intermediate Band and Senior Band. Later in the year, St Joseph’s hosted the ACC Rock Day. This featured workshops by expert tutors and culminated in ‘The Battle of The Bands’. A young band from Christian Brothers College carried off the Trophy. The challenge still remains for a St Joseph’s College Band to be the first band from SJC to win this event. The Stage Band and Vocal Ensemble travelled to Mt Gambier in May for ‘Generations in Jazz’. This has developed into an impressive National Festival featuring 3,000 students from all parts of Australia.The Stage Band performed with assuredness and polish and finished in the top half of their division. Whilst the Vocal Ensemble was quite inexperienced compared to other groups, they nevertheless performed with energy and will have gained much experience from the event. The appearance of Gordon Goodwin and his ‘Big Phat Band’ together with James Morrison and Megan Washington provided staff and students with inspirational music making of the highest calibre. In July we hosted Freyberg High School from Palmerston North, New Zealand. A busy day of workshops was followed by a very successful Concert and Supper. It is hoped that we might visit
Freyberg High School in 2015 during our proposed tour to New Zealand. The Talent Quest resulted in Thomas Veitch and Ryan Bentley winning the Junior and Senior Solo Sections.The Junior Group was won in spectacular style by ‘The Celtic Thunder Trio’ consisting of brothers Patrick, Colm and Gerard O’Connor. The Senior Group saw the ‘Cicada Cadence’, formerly ‘Rycka’, the Edstock winners, now augmented by Sebastian Rawson and Jeremy Pryslak, awarded the prize. Many students performed in AMEB examinations at this time. Special mention must be made of Matthew Graham(Yr 9), Liam Jelley(Yr 8) and Eamon Dooley (Yr9) who achieved High Distinction passes. Our music Co-Captain Jeremy King has had an outstanding year. Jeremy won the Geelong Star Quest Competition in July. He followed this up with an impressive runner-up performance in the State WIDE Classical Concerto competition. Together with fellow Music Co–Captain Michael Podbury he was awarded the Parents and Friends Trophy for service to Music in the College. Jeremy was also awarded the prestigious Matthew Shelley Cup. Michael and Jeremy have been stalwart members of The Senior Band and Stage Band since Year 7. August saw the Vocal Ensemble perform at another Citizenship Ceremony at Geelong Town Hall. The Senior Ensembles performed in the Victorian School Music Festival in Melbourne. The Senior Concert Band received a platinum award for their performance. This is the highest award conferred to bands each year. We were delighted to be included among the top performances in our division. The Stage Band was awarded a Silver Award and the Intermediate Band a Bronze Award at the Victorian School Music Festival for solid performances. Many boys were involved in the Sacred Heart College Production,’ The Irresistible Rise of Arturo Ui’. Thomas Vlamis lead a number of boys in leading roles all of whom performed very well in a lively and challenging production. September saw the Concert Band combine with Clonard and Sacred Heart Colleges to perform at the Royal South Street Eisteddfod. The Band performed really well and was awarded 3rd prize. The Junior Band Academy participated in the inaugural Junior Bands Festival held at St Joseph’s College. This was organized by Mr Michael Wilding and proved to be a
