Music Enrichment Program 8.5.26
Firstly, our thanks to Rotary Sorrento for coordinating a superb MEP again this year. 415 primary students from across Frankston and the Mornington Peninsula with 85 chaperones. Rotary Mount Martha sponsored 40 students with 8 chaperones from Mount Martha Primary School.
The group of students from grades 4-6 were mostly made up of those who played an instrument, were learning an instrument, in the choir or who had expressed an interest in the Arts. The students behaved well throughout the day, getting on and off the bus having lunch near Federation Square and walking to and from Hamer Hall.
Once seated they were keen to interact with people in the orchestra as they tuned up, responding to initiatives from performers such as ‘6/7’ and the Mexican wave enthusiastically.
The background to the concert, including ‘being recorded for Channel 9’, of using images from Mind craft was very relatable as well as the character of ‘Beethoven’ who was able to take simple musical phrases and explain how they can be added to to compose something significant. The conductor explained very simply how a series of notes and simple chords developed into a full-blown orchestra.
Some students loved the ‘Fun kingdom’ – full of energy but most loved the ‘Dragon Kingdom’. It was a terrific educational experience that the children seemed to enjoy; singing on the way back across the bridge, including different renditions of ‘Ba -na -na-naa’ (what ‘Beethoven’ had for breakfast one morning).
Jill Stanszus, RCMM Bus Captain, with Sharon Forrest and Peter Rawlings
