Scotch College

Spectacular Foundation Day

In a year that has seen one spectacular event after another to celebrate the school's sesqicentenary, it is difficult, and perhaps 'courageous' to single out one event which, more than any other, captures the true spirit of Scotch College. While the Torch Relay was an opportunity for both informal and formal celebrations which involved a picnic-like atmosphere, and the various dinners and launches have been aimed more at Old Boys and the adult part of the Scotch Family, it was the Foundation Day Concert which brought everyone together in the most remarkable celebrationary fashion.

To an audience of some six thousand people, the entire population of the school proudly and loudly showcased their musical talents in the remarkable venue of the Rod Laver Arena. Years in the planning, and a logistical nightmare, this concert had something for everyone, and was in all ways a genuine highlight in a year of highlights.

The entire evening's presentation was the brainchild of Director of Music, Mr John Ferguson, whose belief in the ability of the music department, the boys and the school as a whole to match his vision was well-placed.

The construction of the THREE stages in the Arena allowed for swift and slick changes of mood and musical presentations without ever tiring the eye. Clever use of closed circuit television and huge screen projections gave every member of the audience, and even the participants, the opportunity to watch the performances and experience the tremor of excitement which permeated the entire evening.

If all the audience could have seen the extraordinary sight of the buses and trainloads of students from the entire school making their way to the Arena for the rehearsals, they would have begun to appreciate the sheer scale of this enterprise which passed off on the night without a hitch. It was a most remarkable occasion and owed much to the organisational expertise of Vice Principal Mr Ian Savage and Dean of Students Mr Stephen Kong.

Scotch was fortunate to have the pleasure of ABC FM presenter, former member of staff, Colin Fox to compere the evening in a seamless manner. His wit and knowledge glossed over the little moments between items and kept everyone involved throughout the night. But it was the music and the spectacle which everyone who was present will really take away as a memory of a night that will be hard to forget.

Assisted by a magnificent lighting set-up which provided atmospherics for such items as the Symphonic Wind's Ghost Train or the haunting Loch Lomond, sung by the entire Senior School, as well as carefully placed spots and roving lights, the technical crew excelled themselves. When the cannons/fireworks erupted (indoors!) at the end of the wonderfully rousing 1812 Overture the evening came to a tumultuous end - a fitting way to end the musical and visual spectacular which had been the Foundation Day Concert.

During the evening there were twenty different sections and each one of them provided a clear insight into the achievements and musical achievements of the school.

In some ways, the most popular performances came from the extraordinary Drum Corps, led by students Stephen Liew and Mark Kwong, who performed their captivating Massed Drum Salute. So stunning was this that they gave a reprise to the school in Assembly the following week!

Similarly impressive were The Cardinals, who have delighted and enchanted audiences throughout the year with their barbershop renditions of popular numbers, and who opened this special evening with the first verse of Advance Australia Fair. Nor should we forget Captain of Music Jeremy Chin playing the 4th movement of Bruch's Scottish Fantasy with a flair and sensitivity, which mastered the difficult acoustic of the Arena.

The String Orchestra, under conductor Robert Wakely, gave a spellbinding performance of the tricky Capriol Suite by Peter Warlock, and the College Choir, under the directorship of Andrew Hunter showed how much they have matured as a strong and engaging group with their bracket of Australian Folksongs.

It would be remiss not to mention all of the performers, but there simply is not the space. Still, the Junior School Choir and the Years 4 to 6 ensemble entranced the audience with their clear singing and sense of occasion.

The Senior Choir demonstrated fine control and articulation through their Scottish Songs, while the Military Band and Pipe Band provided the stirring qualities and marching magnificence which gripped the entire Arena.

The Show Band certainly got the audience 'In the Mood', while the Symphonic Wind's Finale to Riverdance had feet tapping all over the floor!

No record of this terrific evening would be complete without reference to the Symphony Orchestra, led by Jeremy Chin and conducted by Maestro John Ferguson, who played in nine of the twenty musical items.

They were quite simply the backbone of the evening and played tirelessly and with enormous musicality and composure through their range of numbers.

Finally, the celebrations of the evening would not have been complete without the massed singing of the senior and junior schools, who lent their power to the magnificent Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves and Carl Orff's Carmina Burana, and were joined by the audience in the various College songs with gusto fit to lift the roof from the stadium.

'Old men forget', said Henry to his troops before Agincourt.

'…Yet all shall be forgot

But he'll remember with advantages

What feats he did that day.'

And so will all who took part in, and were privileged to be a part of the Foundation Day Concert, 2001.

 

Mr Alan Watkinson