FDMC Music Department

May is Music Month

2007-05-10T17:31:00.000+12:00

We have a few days in April to start off the term but we will be spending those days looking ahead to New Zealand Music Month and preparing to celebrate all the music beingmade in New Zealand. Watch this space for further details...

TERM 2

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We're musicians and so can be forgiven for running a little behind schedule but we hope to be back in full swing, reporting on all the many hapenings in the FDMC Music department.

Its a very busy place and the boys are doing and sounding excellent. Thank you for all your support and comments - keep them coming.

Barbershop 2007

2007-04-03T13:20:00.000+12:00

The 2007 Barbershop boys are keen to develop a smart new image. They're working on it!

Being Musical

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Jamie Woller and Michael Hardy have recently been working in the keyboard room on "something musical" with their guitars.

I'm fiarly confident of a performance in Dean's Assembly early in term 2 and NCEA Group performance credits being earned in the process.

Gala 2007: Trent plays bass

2007-04-03T13:05:00.000+12:00

The multi talented Trent Davies made a second appearance at the 2007 Gala (and he wasn't the only one, many of our musicians performed more than once, they are truely a talented bunch).

In the final band of the day Trent plays bass guitar with Chas on drums, Paul Dodunski on electric guitar and who's this?

So popular is the stage at the FDMC Gala, a fantastic guitarist, by the name of Jackson from Stratford High too kto the stage and the crowd went wild. What an excellent set to end the day with...the audience just wanted to stay on and listen to more.

Gala 2007: Contemporary Combo

2007-04-03T12:46:00.000+12:00

Who is this musical bunch?

Simon, Nick, Tim, Jarrod and Isaac are the FDMC Contemporary Combo.

Led by Robin Wellaway they have started to make fantastic progress and are sounding very good indeed.
Gala 2007 was their first performance on their own as sadly Robin was performing in Ohakune on Saturday evening.

We are hoping to take the Contemporary Combo to the Manawatu Jazz Festival later on in term 2.

Gala 2007: Sound Engineer

2007-04-03T12:39:00.000+12:00

Along with scenes from backstage the digital zoom was able catch Ben Bull, Sound Engineer in action.

Its a massive job to set up the sound system for any live performance, with metres and metres of cabling, 8 microphones, 3 amplifiers, 2 keyboards, 1 piano, numberous percussion instruments and a hugely varied set list of performers it was Ben's job to make sure all the musicians were set up properly, balance their sound, cope with the wind blowing sound waves back into the PA speakers and add "sparkle" to the sound whenever required.

The music at teh FDMC Gala could not have run so smoothly without such a competent and relaxed sound engineer.

Gala 2007: Trent's Band

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Taking the crowd through to the end of the morning and helping them grow a big appetite for the plentiful food stalls below the stage, Trent's Band performed a cool set of blues and jazz.

With Scott Murphy on keys, Chas Carrol on bass, Daniel Sarten on drums, Tim Lloyd on lead electric guitar and Trent Davies himself taking charge on rhythm guitar the crowd had a spring in their step and were often captivated by the improvised melodies and phenominal techniques they were hearing.

Our electric guitar teacher Mr Brian Hatcher looked on from below, looking quietly impressed with his star pupil.

Gala 2007: Back stage

2007-04-03T12:24:00.000+12:00

Its often a mystery for the public, what goes on back stage!

Of course, some things have to remain a secret but our digital zoom was able to spy into Room 22 and see the boys from "trent's band" preparing for their sets!

Gala 2007: Ashley & Wicus

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Never did we think we'd see the day when Wicus and Ashely would turn their backs on Metal and perform an entire Techno set!

However, great things happen at the FDMC Gala - with the crowd dancing below, and more than a few toes tapping to their techno beats Wicus & Ashley proved themselves to be our own Chemical Brothers.

Making use of 2 Yamaha keyboards, electric guitar and live drums their rhythms were a fusion of styles from around the world.

Gala 2007: Soup Kitchen

2007-04-03T12:10:00.000+12:00

Kicking off the hugely successful FDMC Gala 2007

Soup Kitchen wowed the crowd with their set of anthemic, loud and high octane songs.
Currently in rehearsals for Rockquest 2007, Soup Kitchen are one of FDMC's most promising young bands.

Three Little Birds

2007-04-03T12:05:00.001+12:00

Inspired by the great sounds of the Senior Choir...

Year 9 Core Music classes have been putting their new found guitar skills to great use and have been playing Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds".

As you can see, they "don't worry about a thing"

Lunchtime activities on Monday

2007-03-27T12:40:00.000+12:00

Yesterday was a busy lunchtime in the music room.

All our rooms were full, we even had to turn a few young musicians away as there was no more more for them to work in.

In the main music room Guitar Club were working, in the rheearsal space Mr Harding was teaching the Junior Guitarists, in the piano room Mrs Riddle was teaching strings and voice, in the drum room Mr Stevens was teaching bass guitar, in the instruments room Mr Hatcher was teaching electric guitar, the computer room was full of Year 11 and Year 12 boys completing composition assignments, the keyobard room had Trent Davies and Scott Murphy working on a performance for Gala day and their entry for Rockquest!

Here are some photos of the boys working hard.

Its always great to see the boys making full use of our fantastic facilities, musicians are always welcome in the department - so long as they treat it with respect.

Guitar Club

2007-03-27T12:26:00.000+12:00

Every Monday lunchtime Kale Joines (camera shy) and Nick Coulton (far from camera shy) lead our Guitar Club which is open to the school's advanced guitarists.

Playing acoustic guitars the boys learn new tunes, compose parts for each other and are working towards a performance later in Term 2.

We would have loved to have the guitar club perform at Gala this year but Nick, Kale and Scott are being athletic this weekend!

Dormitabo

2007-03-23T15:38:00.000+12:00

Meet Dormitabo...
Mark on vocals,
Wicus on guitar,
Daryl on bass and
Ashley on drums.

Making lots of noise as I write this but its a great sound, full of energy, excitement, creativity and exceptional musical ability.

This is their first in-school rehearsal of 2007 but its clear they have been rehearsing out of school a couple of times each week.

This afternoon's rehearsal is in preparation for a private gig on Saturday night at an undisclosed location in New Plymouth!!!

In 2006 Dormitabo made it to the Taranaki Finals of Rockquest and put on a fantastic performance.
Now their gigs are in the public domain, with gigs at the Basement bar on 30th March - supporting Agent, and 13th April - supporting Magnum Opus the boys of Dormitabo have deservingly gained quite a following.

Core Music class playing guitar

2007-03-23T15:30:00.000+12:00

As a music department we are so lucky to have a class set of acoustic/classical guitars. For a young musician to learn how to play a few chords on the guitar, read guitar tab and construct thir own chord sequence they are equipped for life to be able to jam with friends, recreate music heard on the radio or on CDs and to make their own music.

Here are a few of the photos taken this morning as a Year 9 Core Music class developed their skills and techniques, seamlessly stringing together a few chords and learning to strum. By the end of the lesson there were a few sore fingers but a lot of eagerness to learn to play Wild Thing next lesson.

Year 9 perform "In C" by Terry Reily

2007-03-21T16:46:00.000+12:00

As part of Year 9 Option music boys study the Twentieth Century movement of Minimalism. Through performance boys are learning how the music is constructed so they may compose their own Minimalist music.

After three lessons of rehearsal some of the boys performed today. Their performance lasted almost 10 minutes though was cut short by the end of lesson bell. In professional performances this piece may last anywhere from 20 minutes to 52 weeks!!!

Performing in Dean's Assembly

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Mrs Meyer has now made it a tradition for Year 10 boys to perform in her fortnightly Dean's assemblies. It is a great opportunity for boys to share with their friends, peers and teachers the music they enjoy making. Performing in front of a large audience can be a daunting experience but Mrs Meyer fills her Year 10 boys with confidence. Today Sandi played the piano and Charlie performed on the drums.

Boys in all year groups are invited and encouraged to perform at their Dean's assemblies. If you have something you would like to perform then please see either Miss Suren or your Dean about performing.

Trombone practice

2007-03-21T16:08:00.000+12:00

Practice makes perfect as new boy and boarder Lewis blows out some tunes in the rehearsal space after school yesterday. Its fantastic for Lewis to have his own trombone section in Fusion. (check out www.trombone.org)

Contemporary Combo rehearsing for Gala 2007

2007-03-20T13:42:00.000+12:00

Our "sound resistant" windows are working to the max this lunchtime. Led by our Saxophone and Clarinet tutor Robin Wellaway the Contemporary Combo are sounding quite brilliant today. With Isaac on keys, Simon on drums and Nick on bass guitar the rhythm section is complete.

This year Tim Wood has a saxophone companion with new boy Jarrod Bakker. (I'm working on getting Jarrod a baritone sax which would be fantastic for Combo's sound). Thomas and Tane are fast attaining the standard required of Combo memebers and we can't wait for them to join the group.

Robin has done, and continues, to do a great job helping these boys sound so great. Well done to you all.

Barbershop singing at lunchtime

2007-03-20T13:30:00.000+12:00

As I sit here creating the FDMC Music Department Blog the barbershop boys, led by Scott Murphy, are sounding great, learning "Barbera Ann" and perfecting "I Feel Good".

They're a talented group of boys: Scott Murphy, Scott Corboy, Nick Coulton, Shehan Gunatunga, Thomas Langrigan and our newest member, Stephen Kibby.

New Plymouth Brass Band Workshop

2007-03-20T12:28:00.000+12:00

Back at the beginning of March members of the New Plymouth Brass Band, including FDMC student Zac Milner, visited our year 7 music lesson and gave us the opportunity to hear them perform, learn a bit about their instruments and even have a go playing the cornet and tuba. Some of the boys enjoyed playing the brass instruments so much that they have signed up for lessons.

Learning to play an instrument at Francis Douglas is an opportunity we aim to offer to all boys. If you are inspired to learn an instrument then please see Miss Suren for more information.

FDMC Music Department Blog

2007-03-20T11:46:00.001+12:00

Welcome to the Francis Douglas Memorial College Music Department Blog. A page that will undoubtedly serve as the source of great information, creativity and ideas.

If you have any suggestions of ideas about what could be added to the blog then let me know.