From the Music Department

Generations in Jazz 2025

Last weekend, our talented music students in Catch 22, the Stage Band and the Small Jazz Combo had the incredible opportunity to participate in Generations in Jazz 2025 — an iconic annual event held in Mount Gambier that brings together thousands of young musicians from across Australia to celebrate jazz, creativity, and collaboration.

This year’s festival featured concerts with world-class performances from jazz legends including Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, the soulful Michelle Nicolle, and the charismatic Darren Percival. These concerts left a lasting impression on our students, offering a glimpse into the heights of musical artistry and performance.

Each ensemble worked incredibly hard in the lead up to the event, and this was demonstrated in the performances presented by every one of them.

On the final day of the festival, students immersed themselves in instrumental and vocal workshops, gaining valuable insights from industry professionals and refining their musical skills. These sessions were not only educational but also deeply motivating, with students expressing how much they learned and how inspired they felt by the experience.

We are thrilled to share some outstanding achievements from the weekend:

• The Stage Band, led by Ms Steph Neale, secured 1st place in Division 4.2 – a phenomenal result that reflects their hard work and dedication.
• Catch 22, our vocal ensemble under the direction of Ms Jo Tropeano, earned 2nd place in Division 2 Large – a fantastic accomplishment in a highly competitive field.
• Special congratulations to Daisy L (Tenor Saxophone 1), Gianna D (Trumpet 1), and Emilee D (Drums) for being selected to the prestigious Division 4 Superband.
• An extra round of applause for Emilee, who was named Most Outstanding Drummer (Division 4) – an exceptional individual honour!

Beyond the awards, the festival was a chance for students to connect with peers from other schools, watch and learn from other ensembles, and build friendships across year levels within our own school. The sense of community, shared passion, and musical excellence made this an unforgettable experience for all involved. A massive thank you must also go to our music staff and leadership team, supportive families, and the organisers of GIJ for making this opportunity possible.

We are incredibly proud of all our students for their dedication, teamwork, and talent – congratulations to all!

“We were empowered by the abundance of passionate jazz musicians and astounded by the levels and differences of musicianship we were able to witness. This experience has enhanced our love for jazz music and will remain a cherished memory for years to come.” Gislene, Daisy, Isabel and Imogen (Year 11)

Ms Fiona Turner
Music Coordinator

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