Wind Orchestra Camp
The Chatswood High School Wind Orchestra (83 students) completed a very successful music camp at the Collaroy Conference Centre. It took place from Thursday August 7th to Sunday August 10th.
The Wind Orchestra are preparing for a tour to Europe in June next year, and as part of the preparations for that tour we invited Dr Mike Fansler from the University of Western Illinois to come and instruct the Band at the music camp.Dr Fansler is a very inspirational teacher and many new concepts were learned by the students. The camp was a fantastic experience for our band. The climax of this experience was the concert with the James Morrison Quintet on Wednesday August 13th. See the following report.
The Chatswood High School Wind Orchestra (83 students) completed a very successful music camp at the Collaroy Conference Centre. It took place from Thursday August 7th to Sunday August 10th.
The Wind Orchestra are preparing for a tour to Europe in June next year, and as part of the preparations for that tour we invited Dr Mike Fansler from the University of Western Illinois to come and instruct the Band at the music camp.Dr Fansler is a very inspirational teacher and many new concepts were learned by the students. The camp was a fantastic experience for our band. The climax of this experience was the concert with the James Morrison Quintet on Wednesday August 13th. See the following report.
Celebration Concert featuring the Morrison Quintet.
The musical highlight of the year was the concert with the James Morrison Quintet on Wednesday August 13th. The concert commenced with a performance by the North Sydney Regional Band, directed by James Hill. They played ‘Into the Joy of Spring’ (Swearingen), ‘Mountain Thyme’ (Hazo) and ‘Arabesque’ (Hazo). This band of enthusiastic students plays with great spirit and they did not disappoint. It was lovely to hear ‘Into the Joy of Spring’ being played as it is a work that Chatswood High Bands have enjoyed over the years.
The musical highlight of the year was the concert with the James Morrison Quintet on Wednesday August 13th. The concert commenced with a performance by the North Sydney Regional Band, directed by James Hill. They played ‘Into the Joy of Spring’ (Swearingen), ‘Mountain Thyme’ (Hazo) and ‘Arabesque’ (Hazo). This band of enthusiastic students plays with great spirit and they did not disappoint. It was lovely to hear ‘Into the Joy of Spring’ being played as it is a work that Chatswood High Bands have enjoyed over the years.
The Chatswood Primary School Senior under the direction of Kerry Murphy sang ‘Oye La Musica’ (Althouse), ‘Sacred Islands in an Azure Sea’ (Walker) and ‘Down by the Riverside’ (arr. Althouse). Kerry does an outstanding job at the school and her choir was in fine form. They sang like angels! They were beautiful. (and superbly accompanied by our own Alexander Mau)
James Morrison has been performing at Chatswood High Music Nights for close on thirty years. On this occasion he was joined by Carl Dewhurst (guitar), Phil Stack (bass), Gordon Rytmeister (drums) and Hetty Kate (vocals). James was in great form, performing a variety of instruments and entertaining the audience with his great sense of humour. James is a terrific role model for young musicians and a great ambassador for Australia as one of our finest jazz musicians.
The first half of the concert concluded with the Chatswood High School Wind Orchestra under the direction of visiting conductor Dr Mile Fansler from the USA. They performed ‘Festive Overture (Shostakovic), ‘Four Dances from West Side Story’ (Bernstein arr. Polster), ‘Colonial Song’ (Grainger) and ‘With Heart and Voice’ (Gillingham). For many this performance was the highlight of the concert. The band responded to Dr Fanslers’ leadership and played brilliantly. It was very exciting. The performance was also a fitting farewell for the twenty Year 12 students who were playing with the Wind Orchestra for the final time.
The second half commenced with the Chatswood High Big Band. They commenced with ‘Broadway’ (Nestico)and then accompanied Year 12 trumpeter Tom Avgenicos on ‘I Remember Clifford’. Following on James Morrison appeared on stage to feature on ‘Puffy Taco’ (Lopez), ‘Sweet Georgia Brown’(arr. Nestico), his own composition ‘This Madness Called Love’ (which also starred Jess Gemmell of year 12) and finally ‘La Fiesta’ (arr. Lopez). Chatswood High musicians Euan Chaffey, Josh Glass and Max Miller-Wells also featured with solos.
The evening concluded with a bracket from the James Morrison Quintet. Special mention must go to vocalist Hetty Kate for her performances. Many people enjoyed her singing on the night.
It was a great night, and the music department would like to acknowledge the support from staff, students and parents.
Well done to all the musicians involved!!!
Gavin Staines
It was a great night, and the music department would like to acknowledge the support from staff, students and parents.
Well done to all the musicians involved!!!
Gavin Staines
Some comments from members of the audience -
James Morrison and CHS Concert Last Night
Well done to all of our students in the big band and wind orchestra who performed last night. Special mention to our Yr12 students who gave their final performances with these groups last night. The entertainment was spectacular and was enjoyed by all. Thanks to Dr Mike Fansler from the USA for travelling all the way to Australia to share his expertise with our students and also to the James Morrison Quintet. Speaking to James during the interval we were trying to figure out what other public schools in Australia were able to offer this type of entertainment and experience to their communities and students. Neither of us could think of one. This is a credit to Gavin Staines, his 35 years of dedication to CHS and his students, and his own reputation as a music educator that he is able to facilitate this type of experience. Well done Gavin and thank you for a fantastic night. Justin Hong
James Morrison and CHS Concert Last Night
Well done to all of our students in the big band and wind orchestra who performed last night. Special mention to our Yr12 students who gave their final performances with these groups last night. The entertainment was spectacular and was enjoyed by all. Thanks to Dr Mike Fansler from the USA for travelling all the way to Australia to share his expertise with our students and also to the James Morrison Quintet. Speaking to James during the interval we were trying to figure out what other public schools in Australia were able to offer this type of entertainment and experience to their communities and students. Neither of us could think of one. This is a credit to Gavin Staines, his 35 years of dedication to CHS and his students, and his own reputation as a music educator that he is able to facilitate this type of experience. Well done Gavin and thank you for a fantastic night. Justin Hong
Please pass on my congratulations to your band for their outstanding performance on Wednesday night. It was my pleasure to be part of the audience and enjoy the wonder that is CHS Big Band and Wind Orchestra. My son and I were particularly impressed with the professionalism of the students as they sat on stage and listened to other performers, and the way they entered and left the stage. In my previous life as a stage manager I know how difficult it is to move large groups of young people on and off stage, quickly and quietly. But your kids did it amazingly well. Please pass on my thanks to Tom and Jess Gemmell for their standout performances.
Thanks again for the invite. Julie Ross
Thanks again for the invite. Julie Ross
Just wanted to say how much I and my family enjoyed the concert on Wed. night. Wind Orchestra and Big Band have never sounded better! Would also like to comment on the feedback I have heard about Dr Fansler. He seems to have had a very positive effect on the kids and really inspired them. Mercedes thought he was fantastic and loved band camp. Thanks for providing this great experience. Helen Janecek
I really enjoyed the concert - it was a great mix of performance and a wonderful experience for both the students and the audience. Wind orchestra sounded very good and much better balanced than the last time I heard them at the concourse. Yes we had better seats this time but WO must have improved. I felt a real sense of anticipation building as they played some pieces, and for me that's what music is about, tapping into the emotions. The choir was very good and although I don't normally appreciate Jazz, the Big Band playing with James Morrison was very enjoyable. James is such a versatile performer and I really liked how he interacted with the BB members. It must have been a wonderful experience for them. And to see our star playing along side James was fantastic - what talent! So congratulations on organising such a good event. Thank you! Syd McKitrick
The performances were perfectly executed right through from the exotic Regional Band’s piece ‘Arabesque’, the beautiful tones of the Chatswood P.S. choir, the brilliant execution of the CHS Wind Orchestra pieces; that took us on an emotional journey, big band’s celebration round of skills and achievements, and, the ever amazing, multi-talented James Morrison together with his quintet and Hetty’s alluring voice. I could definitely hear and feel the improved skills of the Wind Orchestra under the direction of Mike Fansler. The students owned the music and played from the heart. Huge congratulations to you Gavin for a fantastic night of music and for inspiring the students to aim for the stars. Denise Pastars
The concert was sensational. I could not believe how well WO played. It was such a pleasure to watch the students so engaged with what they were doing and so intently focused on their common purpose. And also having fun. They seriously sounded like a professional orchestra. What an amazing man Dr Fansler must be to have inspired this. I do hope the kids will have the opportunity to work with him again. Big band and James Morrison also most enjoyable. Thanks again to you so much for the wonderful opportunities you make available for our kids. Rosie Mathlin
What an awesome concert. The woodwind orchestra sounded great. Loved Hetti s voice. Pretty impressed Tom held his own with James. Great way to mark his last concert. Feeling sad today that after 9 years of your amazing mentoring that we have had our last school concert. I will always be indepted to you for giving my boys such a wonderful life in music. We could never have imagined this is how far they would come. To love playing as much as they do is something few people experience and nothing makes me happier than to see my boys living their passion. It has given them and me so much joy and its because of you making it possible for them. You have gone that extra mile for them on many occasions and it is much appreciated. Thank you Gavin. And Karen. And Mike. And Warwick. Karen Hancock