MOUNT Gambier will come alive with music this weekend as thousands of eager musicians travel to the Blue Lake city for the biggest event on the region’s calendar – Generations in Jazz.
Cementing its title of jazz capital of the country, Mount Gambier will be filled with over 5000 students from a record 128 schools across the country, all prepared to take to the stage and show off their musical talent.
Any wet weather over the weekend will not dampen their spirits as they compete in a range of competitions tomorrow, before listening to a high profile line-up of international artists including Patti Austin, Nasrine Rahmani, Shannon Barnett and Mount Gambier’s own James Morrison AM.
Mount Gambier and Grant High School students will be among the local talent set to perform for the first time at the iconic event as part of the combined schools band.
Forming only last year, Mount Gambier High School principal Chris Edmonds said they have come a long way and exceeded all expectations.
“I was asked to support this so that in three years time we could have a band in the Generations in Jazz festival and in less than 12 months we are at a standard where we can enter this competition,” he said.
“We have incredibly passionate staff and very capable musicians – our music teachers Meg Spirat and Scott Gunn and the coordinator Judith Kelly have all done an enormous amount to support the students.
“Every Friday afternoon you hear the music bellowing through the corridors, it is incredible and something we should cherish.”
However, Mr Edmonds said the band would not be possible without the partnership between the high school and North Primary School.
“That passion for music has really been instilled in the students throughout primary school and we are pleased to be able to continue that during their high school years,” he said.
“We also work closely with the James Morrison Academy of Music with students from there helping our students at school.
“What these students have learnt this year is beyond expectations and I cannot wait to watch the band and music program grow.”
Filled with nerves and excitement, Mount Gambier High School Year 11 student Charis Horsburgh said she has always been a fan of jazz music.
“I grew up listening to jazz and James Morrison in particular, so to be able to perform at Generations in Jazz and be in the presence of him and other music icons is amazing,” she said.
Thrilled to be able to experience the festival alongside her peers, fellow Year 11 student Jessica Stone said she was grateful to be given the opportunity to perform.
“Back in Year 8, we only had about 10 people in our band and it did not look like we were going to do any competitions and now we have more than 40 students involved and we are going to be in a competing division in the festival – it is really awesome,” she said.
“It will be really great to take part in the festival and listen and talk to other students competing.”
Proud of what the students have achieved in such a short time, music teacher Meg Spirat said they have put in a lot of time and effort to get to this stage.
“Our three year plan has been fast tracked because of the students commitment, they have raised the standard,” she said.
“I think they will do really well this weekend, in the holidays we had a practice and played through the pieces together – I was at the front conducting and had to choke back the tears because it sounded so amazing.
“I know they will be full of nerves, but they will do themselves really proud.
“The support Scott and I have received since starting here has been incredible and we have achieved so much more than we thought we would.”
As well as the school competitions, 13 individual finalists from across the country and New York will compete for two prestigious scholarships, the highly coveted James Morrison Instrumental Scholarship and the Generations in Jazz Vocal Scholarship.
The winners will be announced during the finale concert on Sunday, which will also feature further performances from finalists, participants and selected guest artists.
Visit www.generationsinjazz.com.au for more information and tickets.
