On Monday 29 March we were very privileged to host Mark Walton for music workshops and a concert. Mark teaches twelve Coonabarabran High School students via Skype every week during lunch times and on Monday these students, together with three saxophone students in Years 7 and 8 were able to have face-to-face lessons with him. The students who have lessons with him every week are Monique Bragg, Alexander McWhirter, Sam Bowman, Riley Fleming, Declan Eshman, Caleb Smith, Luke Richards, Bree O’Neill, Clover Hippisley, Megan Hain, Ellah Bowmaker and Claire Butcher. During the lessons, Mark worked on specific repertoire with the students. Ella Atkinson, Hudson Thornhill and Beth Underwood are currently learning saxophone in Class Band and were privileged to have a 25-minute lesson with Mark, working on the basic techniques of saxophone playing.
In the evening, Mark Walton, his students, the Jazz Band and a few other Music students all participated in a Music concert. This concert was held in the Senior Quad, under the beautiful Coonabarabran night sky. The Jazz Band started the concert off and Miss Nicole Lewis, our new Music teacher, performed as soloist on the flute. Students played a wide variety of pieces and Mark Walton performed two brilliant pieces on clarinet and saxophone to finish the evening off. A huge thank you goes to Dr Michael Armstrong for setting up the venue and for organising all things sound-related so beautifully.
We are very grateful for Mark’s willingness to travel all the way from Sydney to work with our students and to stun us with his amazing performances. Our students are very privileged to be able to learn from and be inspired by Mark!
Aimee Rossler
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