Music Update | Term 3, 2025.
2025 has seen the ongoing success within the Mac.Rob music program, proudly presenting a series of spectacular events to truly showcase the commitment and talent of our musicians. With the long-awaited Winter Concert, Strum Fest, VSMF, Spring Concert, and upcoming Presentation Night, students have once again had the chance to share their passion on stage!
Winter Concert.
The MHS and Mac.Rob combined Winter Concert is one of the highlights of the school year. Performing at one of Melbourne’s most prestigious venues, Hamer Hall, students delivered high-quality performances for the school community. Getting to perform with music friends from Melbourne High is always a highly anticipated part of Winter Concert for all Mac.Rob students who want to share their love of music with like-minded peers.
Ensembles that participated included several combined groups including Orchestra, Chorale, Chamber Voices, Paganini Strings, Symphonic Winds and Stage Band. The Guitar Ensemble also delivered a pre-show performance at the foyer of Hamer Hall.
A highlight of the night was Chamber Voices, who performed a majestic rendition of By Night by Elaine Hagenberg which enchanted the audience, and then finished with a fun and captivating performance of Oklahoma! by Richard Rodgers.
Winter Concert has always been an anticipated event for most music students at MacRob; aside from giving us a big stage to showcase the fruits of our practicing, we are also presented with many opportunities to collaborate with and learn from our peers in Melbourne High School. From sharing a desk with a MHS student to hearing the magic of a full SATB score in vocal ensembles, many precious experiences and friendships are formed thanks to the concert.
Our combined orchestra ended the night with a powerful performance of Dvorak’s Slavonic Dance, concluding a memorable and educational experience for us all. It was truly an eye-opening experience to perform at Hamer Hall, and the concert will certainly become a precious memory for many music students.
Isis H | Sutherland Strings Ensemble Leader
Gia P | Chamber Voices Ensemble Leader
Strum Fest.
In Week 4 of Term 3, the Mac.Rob Guitar Ensemble hosted the first-ever Strum Fest. Similar to the Big Sing and String Fest, it was a day of performances and workshops hosted in our very own hall, with numerous schools from all over Melbourne involved in the event. Strum Fest was a unique opportunity for us to meet other guitarists and to work on our songs for the upcoming Spring Concert. The two pieces we practised together were Common Language by Madison Cunningham and Cantaloupe Island by Herbie Hancock, with Mr Hoyne running and organising the entire rehearsal. All the performances from the other schools were very impressive, and it was just as exciting to display our own songs that we had been working on for most of the year. Strum Fest was a great way to celebrate the guitarists from both Mac.Rob and the visiting schools, and we were lucky enough to enjoy a whole day dedicated to listening to and playing our instruments. Everyone involved had a great time and would love for the experience to continue as a yearly tradition.
Emmy W | Guitar Ensemble Leader
Victorian School Music Festival.
In August, the Vivaldi Strings ensemble had the opportunity to perform at the Victorian School Music Festival (VSMF) in the Intermediate String Orchestra section. We played two pieces that we had especially enjoyed rehearsing throughout the year: Erica Donahoe’s Moroccan Nights, and Robert Longfield’s The Magical World of Pixar.
Playing in front of an adjudicator was definitely a bit nerve-wracking, but we received invaluable feedback and tips on how to improve our performance. We also had the opportunity to watch other ensembles in our section perform, and it was very enlightening to see how differently each school interpreted and approached the music. Overall, the VSMF was a very enriching experience which challenged and inspired us, and brought us closer as an ensemble!
Olivia T | Vivaldi Strings Ensemble Leader
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Recently, Concert Band had the honour of participating in the Victorian School Music Festival along with other schools across the state where multiple concert band ensembles from each school had shown their performances. The range of pieces that each school had presented was extraordinary and was truly an experience – especially from the workshop, where professionals gave our ensemble tips on how to improve. I felt grateful to be able to gain such insight with our level of experience as it helps build our foundation towards working together as an ensemble and can be helpful as we progress to the other ensembles as we continue to improve and grow.
Amritha T | Concert Band Ensemble Leader
Spring Concert.
The Spring Concert, held in Week 8, Term 3, was Mac.Rob’s final seasonal concert of the year. It was a wonderful opportunity to showcase our skills and growth since the Premier Concert in June. From the rich textures of string ensembles to the energy of wind and percussion groups, the night highlighted the diversity and depth of Mac.Rob's music program. All of our performances are the fruit of our hard work, practice, and diligence, and it wouldn’t be possible without the guidance and support of our amazing directors and conductors.
All in all, it was an entertaining showcase of over 16 school ensembles, including two new performing groups: Sutherland Strings and a Year 12 Ensemble.
The Year 12 Ensemble was brought back this year, allowing all Year 12 students in the music program to perform together for the last time. It was amazing to see the effort they put into this united student-led effort, which resulted in a beautiful performance of Pirates of the Caribbean. Despite the demanding schedules of Year 12s, they were able to come together and celebrate the years they’ve spent growing as musicians and friends, with the performance serving as a touching tribute to the valuable bonds formed through music.
We hope to see you at Presentation Night to enjoy some of these ensembles for the last time this year!
Amba P | Percussion Ensemble Leader
Heidi U | Paganini Strings Ensemble Leader
As yet another successful year of music slowly comes to a close, we reflect on the achievements and dedication of our wonderful music staff, students, and Student Music Committee. We hope you enjoyed the diverse and captivating performances that have made 2025 so memorable. We thank you all for being part of this musical journey and look forward to all the exciting years of music ahead!
Naomi K & Katie W | Music Co-Captains