The annual Contemporary Music Concert (CMC) is an event like no other in the School calendar, and this year it continued to surprise and delight!
The annual Contemporary Music Concert (CMC) is an event like no other in the School calendar, and this year it continued to surprise and delight! The repertoire explored works that are definitely not traditional classical and band competition fare. Strong female role models featured, including Olivia Newton-John, Broadway success Sara Bareilles and the iconic Beyonce. Other songs varied from young Sydney vocalist Odette to the exciting number Ex Wives, from the British musical Six that is yet to hit Australian shores. The repertoire is carefully selected to explore styles and contexts that are outside the normal genres. The programme also revisited some 80’s classics such as Jessie’s Girl, David Bowie’s Let’s Dance and some Shania Twain for good measure.
The programming of the CMC at Ruyton is incredibly unique and seeks to challenge students stylistically and encourage risk in the same way that professional musicians are constantly called on in a sessional context. The evening also included the Ruyton DJ club remixing and composing their own pieces in between items.
Time constraints are enormous at this time of year and compounded by the School’s commitment to the amazing Generations in Jazz festival and accompanying repertoire that always occurs within the same few weeks. Girls are not able to prepare for the concert over three terms, but instead, have only a couple of weeks! It pushes them to trust in their skill base, to trust one another's musicality, and develop their awareness in the moment to ensure they can work together to make the performance a success.
So much of our learning is directed towards refining work to ensure the final product is the best it can be. This concert is quite the opposite and carries an enormously high risk factor. Our students took on the challenge with a fantastic sense of adventure, bravado and courage and produced the joyous performances we experienced on Monday night!
Ms Sonja Horbelt
Co-ordinator of Contemporary Music