Junior School Combined Concert – Melbourne Recital Centre

Students, families and staff were treated to a magnificent night of music at our Junior School Combined Concert.

Held at the stunning Melbourne Recital Centre, this unique event showcased the musical talents, dedication and hard work of nearly 300 students from Wheelers Hill Junior and Malvern campuses performing across Concert bands, Choirs, Percussion Ensembles, Pizzicato Strings, String Trio, Quintent and Orchestra, Wind Trio and Advanced Suzuki Groups.

Heads of Music Peta Rust (Malvern Campus) and Marion Stafford (Wheelers Hill Junior Campus) said of the night:

“The purpose of this concert is to strengthen the connection across both campus music programs.

An inspiring part of our 2023 journey was the opportunity for students and staff to work with First Nations Artist, singer song writer Jessica Hitchcock. Our students collaborated with Jess in workshops, exploring language and connection through her compositions as part of the Dhungala Choral Connections Project – a collaboration between Jess and the artistic director, Dr Deborah Cheetham.

We were especially privileged to be performing ‘Bloodline’, an original work by Jess that she granted permission for us to sing. Students were fortunate to work closely with Jess in developing their own performance of this song for the Concert.

The power of singing is the basis for our classroom music program. It is from this strong classroom foundation that our campus instrumental programs, ensembles and choirs are built, demonstrating transference of skills and understandings. 

Tonight, you will see students who are risk-takers, open-minded and confident, and who express themselves through making music together. As a community we can feel incredibly proud of their achievements.”