Can you tell us a bit about the history of the college band program?
Unfortunately I don’t know who exactly started this program or when. No records exist. When I arrived at GRC in 2010, the Stage Band was directed by Clive Hodder. From 2012, I started organising yearly tours and participation in competitions. These have become the highlight of the band experience:
- 2012/14– Generations in Jazz, National Band competition, Mount Gambier.
- 2015/16/17/18/19 – Big Band Blast, Port Macquarie
We’ve also competed many times in the Australian School Band and Orchestra Festival, winning Gold and Silver Awards.
How did you become the GRC stage band director?
When I joined GRC I immediately started playing with the band, as I have always played in jazz bands through-out my life. I love playing in ensembles and jazz is my favourite music. When Clive Hodder left in 2011, I volunteered to take over as director, which was approved due to my long history of directing ensembles. I was excited to take on the opportunity to work with the stage band.
What benefits have you seen for the students participating in the program?
The students develop significantly as musicians, as the music is challenging and engaging. The students also form a tight knit bond through travelling, competing, rehearsing and having a unique sense of identity as the “band kids”. For some, band has been an important part of their well being during school, providing a safe space and a sense of belonging. The fact that the students will wear their band jackets every day to school (even when told not to!) shows the pride they take in being part of band. It’s also important to have the students mixing across the campuses and year groups. This kind of peer interaction helps with social skills and independence.
What challenges have you encountered?
Each year, the loss of Year 12 students impacts on the program. We constantly rebuild the ensemble and the younger players have to step up and take their place. Other challenges have included the preparation and fundraising for competitions and tours. Students have had to be actively involved in raising money to support their travels. 2020 was a tough year. The Big Band Blast festival was cancelled, as were all other music festivals. So for the first time in 7 years there was no tour. Rehearsals had to be conducted via Zoom for middle campus students, with the seniors on site. We persisted throughout the whole year, managing to put together some online collaborations. In 2012, I was 6 months pregnant during our trip to Mount Gambier. That was a challenge! I took some time off in 2013, then returned to directing the band.
Do you have any success stories?
Many of the students from the band program have gone on to successful musical careers and music education pathways. For example:
- Rebecca Hart (piano and vocalist): Sydney Conservatorium, Melba Opera Trust winner
- Douglas Zeigenbien (bass): UNSW, composer and recording artist. Check out his Youtube channel.
- Grace Leung (sax): UNSW, Music teacher
- Simon Wong (piano): UNSW, Music teacher
- Ben Adams (guitar, drums): UNSW, composer and performer
- Jacob Saville (piano): Sydney Conservatorium, studying composition
- Ashleigh James (voice): UOW, studying creative performance
- James Butler (sax): UOW, creative industries, plays in The Honeymakers
- Daniel Ko (bass): UNSW, studying music education
- Xue Hu Cao (piano): Sydney Conservatorium
- Lachlan Rhodas (trumpet): working as a professional DJ and recording artist
I was thrilled to learn recently that 5 ex-members have started up their own band together, because they missed making music so much!
Anything else you would like to add?
It’s been an immense privilege to be entrusted with the role of GRC Stage Band Director for the past 10 years. I’ve loved working with the students and miss them all so much when they graduate. Watching them grow in confidence, musicality and maturity is a joy. We’ve shared so many fun experiences while travelling, performing and during rehearsals! Sometimes the kids have me crying with laughter and there is a rich history of shared language, anecdotes and “in-jokes”. I truly believe that the band experience is incredibly enriching or students and offers a unique sense of belonging to a team and eventually, a musical family. I always tell them: “Stage Band is forever” – meaning they are always welcome to come back and visit, or to even better – bring your instrument!