On the morning of Monday 10 August, 35 students from Years 7 to 12 travelled to the Waurn Ponds campus of Christian College Geelong to compete in the annual Victorian School Music Festival (VSMF). 

This competition is open to all schools in Victoria, and the sections range from Novice through to Advanced. Our bands competed in the Intermediate section and the Junior Concert Band section, which is for students who have performed at fewer than two competitions of the VSMF. Criteria involved presenting works of contrasting genres and a work selected from a compulsory list.

Our students have been working on this music since the end of Term 1 and showed incredible musicality on the day, working with their Chief Adjudicator, Dr Rob McWilliams. Students represented the school admirably, showing their appreciation for the other schools performing on the day with enthusiasm and peer respect. 

The journey home involved the singing of many hit songs at volume, which only got louder when we received the news of our results. The Junior Concert Band received a Yamaha Performer's Award and the Senior Concert Band received a Gold Award for their section. Thanks to all of the families who have supported our students by getting them to rehearsals and the various performance events we have had so far this year. 

Congratulations to the instrumental teachers of all these students, as well as to their conductors: Ms Ingwersen and Miss Parry (Junior Concert Band) and Ms Ross (Senior Concert Band).