The Senior Concert Band is the College's premier symphonic wind ensemble. Players from the Senior Concert Band are chosen to form the Senior Jazz Band.
The players perform at a wide range of events and represents the school in the general public. Repertoire includes a wide variety of works written or arranged for wind ensemble or jazz ensemble.
The ensemble rehearses twice a week:
Tuesday mornings in Veritas for wind ensemble repertoire
Thursday mornings in Veritas for jazz repertoire
On both mornings:
Arrive between 7:00am and 7:10am
Tuning at 7:10am
Finish at 8:30am
Students must audition to be a member of the ensemble.
Senior Concert Band/Senior Jazz Band is primarily for students in Years 11 and 12.
Eligibility to audition for the ensemble without invitation is open to all students in Years 11 and 12.
Seating positions within the ensemble are decided by an audition process.
From time to time there may not be sufficient personnel in Years 11 and 12 to provide a balanced band. These are called 'vacancies'.
Students in Years 7 to 10 Concert Band classes can submit an audition application to try and fill the vacancies.
If there are not sufficient candidates in the Concert Band classes, students enrolled in AMEB exams with their private instrumental teachers can submit an audition application to try and fill the vacancies.
Students in Years 7-10 will have their seating position re-evaluated every year and decided again through the annual audition process.
Vacancies can occur at any time, so students in Years 7 to 10 should submit an audition application to be considered to fill a vacancy.
Your audition application expires at the end of Semester 1, so update your application each year to ensure you are considered when vacancies need filling.
All students commit to a minimum 12 month ‘season’ upon accepting their position.
The season lasts from July in one year to June in the next year.
Year 12 students in their final semester must commit until they graduate.
Any students’ membership may be cancelled. This may only take place after ongoing negotiation between the student and band staff.
This may be as a result of aspects such as repeated poor conduct, performance or absenteeism.
Students in Years 7 to 10 may have their membership cancelled if:
They are no longer enrolled in Concert Band classes; OR
They are no longer enrolled in instrumental lessons; OR
They are no longer participating in another College ensemble.
After the audition process, students are assigned a seating position within the ensemble which remains constant until the end of the 12 month ‘season’ or a vacancy arises.
The results of the auditions process are final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding seating positions or other results.
Rhythm section players - drum kit, bass, guitar - are expected to attend on both days.
For wind ensemble repertoire, percussion and other options exist for rhythm section players to perform.
Additionally, mass music occasionally requires guitar, so guitarists should be willing to contribute to the liturgy.
Students may not participate in an external ensemble of the same type as Senior Concert Band / Senior Jazz Band if they are not participating in our Marist ensemble.
Students must be participating in Senior Concert Band / Senior Jazz Band before they accept membership of another similar ensemble outside of the College.
This is in line with other policies at Marist College where participation where Marist enters teams into the same competition.
If you are concerned or have questions about the Non-Marist Ensemble requirements, please speak with staff.
There are no fees for participating in Senior Concert Band / Senior Jazz Band.
You may be required to pay for participation in Music Camp or tours, or for Morning Teas/Afternoon Teas during weekend rehearsal days.
Please bring the following to every rehearsal and performance:
Instrument
Instrument equipment (reeds, cleaners, valve oil, etc.)
Black Marist Performing Arts folder
Pencil and eraser
Uniform
Summer: Marist summer uniform with blazer
Winter: Marist winter uniform with blazer
Performing Arts Enquiries
Phone: 6298 7255
Mr Greg Stenning (conductor)
Email: gregstenning@mcc.act.edu.au
Mrs Bronwyn Westcott (assistant conductor, concert band)
Mr Andrew Hackwill (assistant conductor, jazz band)