Music

2022 was a tremendously busy year for Mazenod’s musicians.

Term 1 saw our students prepare for the Mission Action Day concert, to raise funds for the Oblate Missions abroad. The concert was a wonderful evening of music making that featured the debut of two new ensembles – “The Drumline” and the “Coghlan Quartet.” Special mention must go to Huey Ng, who performed a fiercely difficult flute solo in front of the large audience. Term 1 also included a Year 7 excursion into the city to hear the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Hamer Hall – an experience many students will never forget!

Term 2 opened with our annual Mazenod/Avila orchestra workshop, held at Avila College. As always, this event emphasised the social connections that come with creating music together, with students rehearsing in a combined orchestra of over 200 musicians and enjoying a pizza dinner together. Other highlights of Term 2 included competing at the Victorian All State Jazz Festival, Victorian Flute Guild Festival, the Ringwood Eisteddfod, and individual student performances at Year 8, 9, 10 and VCE recital nights. Congratulations to all participants.

Term 3 means musical! This year, the Mazenod and Avila students put on a tremendous performance of “Shrek – The Musical.” Congratulations to the several student musicians who performed in the Orchestra Pit this year. Daniel Liu (Year 8, Horn), Saville Zhang (Year 8, Cello), Brandon Paul (Year 11, Violin), Aston Pham (Year 12, Violin), Deni Trkulja (Year 11, Flute) and Huey Ng (Year 10, Drums) all played exceptionally well and helped make the show a great success. Also held in Term 3, were the Victorian Band’s League Solo competitions and the Victorian Schools Music Festival. At the solos, Mazenod scored 12 first places and had two students claim the title of “Champion of Champions”, with Deni Trkulja taking out the Junior section and Oliver Wyllie winning the Juvenile section. At the VSMF our ensembles played very well and were awarded three Silver Shields and one Bronze.

Term 3 concluded with the “ACCent on Music” concert at Hamer Hall, where over 600 students from all ACC schools came together to perform in Melbourne’s premier concert hall. It was a terrific event and our Mazenod students did themselves and the College proud, with the combined finale of “You’re the Voice” being a highlight of the year for many.

Well done to all our musicians throughout the year. It’s been very busy, but very rewarding.

Finally, thank you to our wonderful instrumental music teachers and administration staff. Their tireless work and dedication ensure that our musicians experience what is best about music. Douglas Leutchford and George Melitsis