The Annual Showcase of Music

LIGHTS - CAMERA - ACTION

THE ANNUAL SHOWCASE OF MUSIC LIVE-STREAM

‘Quiet on set.’

The gym set up as a 2-stage film studio fell silent in anticipation and excitement as 170 students and staff prepared for a music concert of new and exciting proportions. ‘Going live in 5… 4… 3… 2… 1…’

On Thursday 3 September the students from the Wilderness Music Department combined forces with students in the Media Team to put on a showcase of music unlike any other our School has produced – seven cameras, two stages, ten crew members, and 150 musicians, live-streamed to the School community.

The Annual Showcase of Music featured a range of outstanding performances. It started with an inspiring performance of ‘Amazing Grace’ by Jazz Incorporated. From here the Intermediate String Orchestra took to the screen with the joyful ‘Tim Tam Slam’ and later the Senior String Orchestra amazed us with ‘Eine Kleine Bachmusik’ and ‘Nessum Dorma’. The Year 7/8 Choir mesmerised the audience with their ‘Choral Medley’, and Dream Girls warmed the audience’s hearts with their renditions of ‘Your Song’ and ‘September’.

The Concert Band took us further into the film-making genre with a performance from ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, which set the scene for the Symphonic Band’s fabulous rendition from ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’.

The Senior Choir had the audience dancing with uplifting performances of ‘Spirit’ and ‘Oh Happy Day’.

The night also marked a powerful moment for the Wilderness School community with the inaugural performance by the Old Scholars Jazz Choir stunning the viewers with a ‘Yesterday Medley’. It was wonderful to see the generations of Jazz Choir vocalists take to the stage, and this further heightened when the current Jazz Choir took the spotlight to conclude the evening with ‘Survival Medley’. As the show moved seamlessly from one stage to the next the Senior Music students, acting as television hosts, took the audience on a journey through the set by interviewing some of the crew and directors and giving the audience a sense of what was going on behind the scenes. The night was also an opportunity for us all to say thank you and congratulations to the Year 12 musicians, as they received their Year 12 Music medals. The applause from the other student’s made it clear what a powerful and positive impact these Year 12 students have had on the Wilderness music community.

The production also showcased the skills of the Media Team students who operated the seven-camera setup. Their advanced cinematography skills captured all the beautiful musical moments. Added to this was the mastery of Year 11 Creative Arts student, Ella Anderson, who operated the livestream switcher which involved monitoring the live footage, feeding back to the film crew, and selecting the best shots to send out to the live-stream. This was truly magical to witness. Not only was the film crew highly professional and skilful, but there was also an inspiring sense of connection within the crew.

We must also acknowledge the support this event received from The Hive, in particular Mrs Candace Gwyther whose amazing skills as a sound and lighting technician provided beautiful visual and sound quality; and Mr Dominic Ashfield whose management of the technical setup of the live-stream provided a flawless connection to the School community. The team of music staff and ensemble directors must also be thanked for their inspiring leadership and tireless commitment to producing quality performances.

A huge congratulations needs to be offered to all of the Wilderness girls involved in this event. It was an amazing evening of collaboration, professionalism and entertainment enjoyed by an audience of well over 500 online viewers.

‘5… 4… 3… 2… 1…Clear. We are off air.’

It was at this moment as the live-stream concluded that the gym erupted in a collective celebration of joy, giving those present a heart-warming sense of community and incredible achievement.

Hal Bruce Head of Performing and Creative Arts