Tours to Europe, Japan and the US don’t appear on every performer’s calendar, but for members of the Melbourne Grammar School Symphony Orchestra, these kinds of opportunities are a normal part of their experience. As retiring Symphony Orchestra Director Mark Drummond explains, performance plays a central role in the development of these young musicians.
“There are things you learn in performance that you can’t learn any other way,” Mr Drummond says. “Performance hones our ability to respond to what happens in live concerts – moments of creativity and inspiration – in a different way to what happens in rehearsal.”
Our Symphony Orchestra works towards regular performances at the School, with overseas tours every two years. “In the normal course of events we’ll do a concert every term at the School,” Mr Drummond explains. “What’s wonderful about our Orchestra Tour is we’ll do a minimum of four concerts within two weeks. The standard of performance rises enormously due to the intensive experience the boys are going through.”
Mr Drummond also highlights the breadth of performance opportunities available to Melbourne Grammar musicians more generally, including participation in Chapel choir, various bands and ensembles, and jazz groups.
Additionally, one of the more unusual opportunities offered is the chance for students to conduct the 70-piece Symphony Orchestra – an option that is very popular for Year 12 students.
“Conducting is a huge, new challenge for a young musician,” Mr Drummond says. “Our concerts at School are put together over five or six weeks, with only two to three opportunities for the conductors to rehearse, so it’s somewhat like a sink or swim scenario. The best student conductors will spend time meeting with soloists, studying the score and attending all rehearsals. They soon realise conducting isn’t as easy as it looks!”
Alongside this broad range of performance opportunities, our Friday lunchtime concerts are another important platform for soloists and small groups working towards performance goals. “These are 20-minute concerts open to all staff and students,” Mr Drummond explains. “Often boys will be performing just before an external music exam or meeting their requirements for VCE music performance.”
“All these opportunities are vital to young musicians,” Mr Drummond adds. “You can’t replicate performance in any other way.”
