Collaborating in music: ensemble performances and inter-school workshops

The word collaborate is defined by Merriam-Webster as ‘to work jointly with others, especially in an intellectual endeavor’. In the world of music making, collaboration is a healthy blend of skill, knowledge, psychology, personality, trust and vision. It is the ability to come together and envision what the end result could be.

Collaboration was witnessed in full flight last week, when the Eltham High School Symphonic Band joined our Wind Symphony for a combined workshop and shared performance. The combined sections worked with Carey and Eltham staff in sectionals on two pieces, ‘Foundry’ and ‘How to Train Your Dragon’, after which all the sections came together to form a 100-plus ensemble to rehearse the pieces together. The sound, as you can imagine, was impressive and the students worked so effectively together. It was lovely to watch the interactions and shared investment in creating quality music, and we look forward to further opportunities to collaborate with Eltham High School in the future.

We have another busy and exciting term ahead in the Performing Arts. Rehearsals for the Middle School Musical are underway and it has been great to walk around the department on Monday and Friday afternoons and hear the progress being made. The Big Band and Stage Band leave for Generations in Jazz on Friday morning in Mt Gambier. We wish them all the best for their performances at the event. And also this weekend, 100 student musicians head to Rutherford Park in Blampied for Autumn Music Camp, where they will undertake sectionals and full rehearsals with Carey staff.

Some dates for your diaries:

• Monday 20 May: Recitals
• Tuesday 21 May: Recitals
• Monday 27 May: IB2 and VCE Unit 3 Recitals
• Thursday 30 May: Autumn Bands Concert
• Monday 3 June: Whole School Choral Concert
• Thursday 13 June: Winter String Concert
• Thursday 20 June: JSK Winter Concert

We look forward to sharing these Performing Arts events with the Carey community.

Sally Davis
Head of Performing Arts