Grade five students who play a woodwind instrument as part of the Combined Primary Schools Band program attended their two day workshop on Wednesday 21 and Thursday 22 August at C3 in South Hobart. These workshops are designed to introduce students to what it looks and sounds like to play as part of a concert band. The focus is on learning to follow a conductor whilst learning to play the five pieces that have been chosen for their performance at the DEC concert on Friday November 29. This year’s Grade five band conductor is Claire Reade. The day was broken up into several sections where students were rehearsing the pieces, enjoying a break to eat or competing in the Trivia Quiz. At the conclusion of the workshop parents were invited to listen to a performance of the five pieces.
To continue their preparations for the DEC concert Grade five students have five band rehearsals that they are required to attend. Goulburn Street students are part of the band known as the Central Band. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday afternoon at New Town High School Music Block from 3.30pm until 4.30pm on the following dates. Please be there by 3.20pm.
REHEARSALS:
TERM 3
|
TERM 4
|
September 4, 18
|
October 23
November 6, 20
|
Students wrote a reflection after the workshop, they shared some very heartfelt thoughts. Here are a selection:
“I think the best part was the concert at the end because it was just a little taste of what it might be like at the real DEC concert. My skills have improved dramatically” Kate
“I really enjoyed the workshop, I had heaps of fun. I learnt so much and I think I improved a lot” Ada
“I learnt that I should just try to play and not be scared to play. I learnt more of the songs. I ended up learning more because I tried” Gabi
“I found the band workshop fun and I think I learned a lot” Cameron
“It sounded really good with all of the other instruments playing at the same time” Jace
“I learnt how to play more fluently, it was fun learning new things” Ash
“The workshop was fun and I like all the pieces we played” Alex
“The best part of the workshop was playing at the end in front of the parents. It was cool because we had improved heaps” Xavier
“I learnt how to do lots of pieces and parts I did not know and how to count rests” Jorga
“It was a fun experience. I learnt the pieces better when playing as a whole band” Finlay
“I learnt the proper position to play in as a flute player in a band and how diverse the instruments are. The best part was performing with the whole band playing all of a piece for the first time” Kugendhar
“It felt great playing with other students as a whole band. I learnt lots and I can’t wait for the day” Georgina
“The workshop was a great experience and I improved lots” Alan
“It was loud, as I am used to playing by myself. It was really fun though and playing altogether the pieces sound very good” Rosie
“I think the best part was the concert at the end of the two days because the parents got to hear how we had improved” Imi
“The workshop was quite fun and amazing when we got to play the pieces” Vedanshi
“I learnt that there are so many band players and to just keep going if you make a mistake” Maude
“It was a very exciting two days and I wish it was on every week. I learnt how to play fluently” Jack
“Going to the band workshop was an amazing experience. At first all the different instruments played and practiced their own parts, but when they were all put together it sounded amazing” Mira