Ensemble Camp

Our Vocal, Guitar and Percussion ensembles spent three days at Ferngully Lodge in Healesville last week on an intensive music camp.

It was a great opportunity for students from our Cobblebank and Melton campuses to collaborate, build friendships and take part in fun experiences including a trivia night, an excursion to Healesville Sanctuary and movie night.

During the camp, guitarists rehearsed a traditional song called Swallowtail Jig and worked on a guitar ensemble arrangement of Seven Nation Army.

Our drummers worked on a percussion arrangement and an accompaniment for a song performed by the Vocal Ensemble called Siyahamba.

The Vocal Ensemble learned a variety of sacred and secular songs including The Lord is My Sheperd, Lord of the Dance, Siyahamba, Fame, One Call Away and You Raise Me Up.

The camp culminated with a performance from each group where they were able to demonstrate the musical skills developed over the three days.

Vocal Ensemble members from both Cobblebank and Melton performed One Call Away and the musical hit Fame accompanied by some of our student guitarists at the Melton Campus assembly yesterday.

What our students had to say about their camp experience

I really enjoyed ensemble camp this year, it’s definitely been a highlight so far as it usually is. It felt like a really good opportunity to get closer to the ensemble as a whole and to make new connections, as well as being a great opportunity to learn music and finetune my skills. One of the highlights would have to be the trip to the zoo. It was fun and the bird show was great despite the rain. We also practiced and learned some enjoyable songs and I look forward to continuing as a member of the ensemble. Jordan, Vocal Ensemble, Melton Campus

My highlight at Ensemble Camp was attending Healesville Sanctuary, learning new songs to sing for Vocal Ensemble, meeting new people, and having a performance to show others what we learned. It was the first time that Melton and Cobblebank students sang together, practicing new harmonies, and getting to know one another. It was a great experience. Elesha, Vocal Ensemble, Melton Campus

The camp was an enjoyable experience. It was great to be able to get to know the other ensemble groups and see the performances they had been working on. Matthew, Guitar Ensemble, Melton Campus

The camp was fun. We went to the zoo, my team won trivia, we rehearsed a lot and improved a ton. It was well worth going to. Thomas, Guitar Ensemble, Melton Campus