Generations in Jazz 2023

A report from our Head of Music Performance ELC-12

11 May 2023

Co-curricular Middle School Senior School Music

Over the course of last weekend, 67 of our wonderful band and choral students joined 5,300 other music students from around Australia to participate in the first Generations in Jazz (GIJ) competition held in Mt Gambier in three years.

After months of rehearsals and personal musical preparation, Concordia students presented a shining example to all other schools in the way they supported each other, lifted their own high standards, generated energy on stage and followed instructions ‘to the letter’. They were brilliant!

The staff who supported our students throughout this four-day tour created a team which is envied by other schools – I know this because I was told by a lot of other teachers throughout the weekend. My heart-felt gratitude goes to Lee Pfitzner, Deanna Whelan, Barnabas Smith, Jenni Watkins, Kathie Renner, and Billy St John.

Prior to the competition, myself, Tansy (12CFIN) and Amali (9TMOR) were booked to do a 10-minute interview on ABC Radio to express our views on GIJ and music at Concordia in general. It was a great opportunity to express what music means to us.

In addition to competing, one of many highlights was Concordia performing a concert at Kalangadoo Primary school for their students as well as students from Nangwarry Primary School.

Our aim for the weekend was for all five of our performing groups to play their best on the day of competition. This aim was achieved, and the resulting ‘vibe’ is palpable – I couldn’t be more pleased as weather conditions were very tough (it literally hailed, and the mud had to be seen to be believed).