25 Oct 2024
Over twenty of our Concert Band members joined with members of the concert band from Northmead Performing Arts High School for a band tour of north-west NSW. Leaving on the coach at 6am on the last Friday of Term 3 were 46 students; Ms Reeves from Muirfield; Mr Wilson, Head of Music at Northmead; Ailsa Montgomery, Michelle Wuilemann and Simon Hall, parent volunteers; Mr Lavis and Ms O’Connor, band directors from Teaching Services Australia (TSA) and Craig, the coach driver. Mr Lavis’ father, Peter, volunteered to drive the support van – without which we would not have been able to take all the instruments – and to man the BBQs. It was quite an entourage.
On Friday, the combined band performed at two primary schools, entertaining students and staff. The band played so well, it was hard to believe they had only rehearsed once prior to the tour. First stop was Dubbo Zoo, where we slept to the sounds of lions. Unfortunately, the workshop and performance with Dubbo Conservatorium were cancelled at the last minute, but that gave everyone more time to explore Dubbo Zoo. The next three nights were based at Baradine, west of Coonabarabran. Students played several concerts for locals, had a whole day workshop at Coonabarabran High School which included local student musicians and a surprise visit from members of Phat Brass, a professional group, the members of which were ex-students of a local government school who had also been members of TSA school bands and the Millenium Marching Band. Non-musical activities included a walk around the Sculptures in the Scrub above Dandry Gorge in the Timmallallie National Park, a tour of the telescopes at Siding Spring Observatory, observing the Milky Way without light pollution, toasting marshmallows over a campfire.
We thank all the parents and staff who made this trip possible. Without Mr Lavis’ planning and organisation, there would have been no tour. Similarly, without Ms Reeves willingness to say yes to the tour going ahead and her willingness to attend, the tour would not have taken place. Thank you to Mr Wilson, who gave of his holidays too. Thank you to the volunteers who prepared all the food, loaded and unloaded the coach several times a day, helped set up a 46 piece band – all huge efforts. Thanks must also go to the students who made the tour a great experience for all. All the students were fantastic and well-mannered. They wowed all audiences who were impressed with the musical talent. Senior students were awesome leaders, supporting younger band members. The care students showed for one another was lovely.
When asked why she was willing to give up her holidays and be on duty from 6am until after 10pm for five days, Ms Reeves, our principal, said, “I think it is such a wonderful opportunity for our students – to perform and to see parts of the country that are so different from our suburban life. Also, band students are always fabulous kids and Mr Lavis is great fun to be around. I have never seen someone who has so much energy and who never stops! It is tiring but I learn as much on the tour as the students.”
