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House of Assembly - Fifty-Third Parliament, Second Session (53-2)
2015-05-06 Daily Xml
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Generations In Jazz

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:17): There is mounting and continuing evidence to confirm the notion that learning music has a positive impact on student performance, especially on literacy and numeracy. We also know how important music can be in managing difficult behaviours, leading in turn to better learning outcomes. There is now an almost fully implemented national music curriculum and schools in Florey are actively pursuing this musical edge to learning, supported by the annual Florey Music Award which I present to each school every year.

Some schools are lucky enough to already have specialist music teachers or visits from music branch specialist teachers, while classroom teachers are often responsible for the first exposure to music, which can be group choral work, or percussion ensembles, or even music appreciation (that is listening to and discussing a piece of music) which is how my lifelong love of music began. These days, of course, we are all familiar with music in programs such as Play School and entertainers from The Wiggles to pioneers in this genre such as Peter Combe and Patsy Biscoe, both South Australian icons.

It is from this background that I report the results from last weekend's Generations in Jazz in Mount Gambier. I was able to attend the competition performance of Modbury High School's stage band under the direction of Ms Rosie Carr, assisted by Ms Joan Baker, and Doug Clark, a gentleman who supports the school, was also present.

Modbury High has a fine musical traditional and, although it is not a specialist music school, they have always maintained a strong interest in music and many others areas, providing a great educational opportunity to local students now currently under the leadership of principal Mr Martin Rumsby, who also travelled to Mount Gambier to encourage and congratulate students after their very credible performance. Last year, they were promoted from division 3 to division 2. There are actually five divisions over several sections now, and division 2 is a much more difficult challenge. I can report that they finished 18th in this section, providing a good yardstick for their current level and an impetus for improvement.

Generations in Jazz is about fun and personal bests. It is a collaborative weekend for teachers and students alike. Many friendships and professional relationships have been forged in the South-East by those with a shared passion for jazz and big bands. Vocal performances have and continue to take a greater part in the weekend, and this will open up for a whole new group of students the opportunity to take part in what is now arguably the premier music event in Australia.

This is of course because of the growing—if it could get any bigger, that is—involvement of James Morrison and his generous commitment to the event, which now sees him and his family living in Mount Gambier and overseeing the academy, run in conjunction with the University of South Australia, which bears his name. As mentioned in question time by the Premier earlier today, Generations in Jazz is now well known to musicians all over the world because of James Morrison and his involvement.

There is always a great opening concert on the Friday evening featuring previous winners and headline solo performances. This year we had Take 6 and the Hot Horn Happening, as well as soloists like Rickey Woodard and Jeff Clayton from the US, and Mark Nightingale and Brian Kellock from the United Kingdom. We also hear headline acts such as The Idea of North—an a cappella group not to be missed. Saturday is the competition day, and a monster school presentation and concert follows in the evening. Sunday is for workshops and superbands getting together, and it is also where results are announced during another showcase concert.

Thanks must go to all the sponsors involved, all the organisers and adjudicators, the Generations in Jazz board and committee, and of course, the mass of volunteers who are involved in everything from traffic direction to food preparation. Every single person does their very best to make the weekend memorable for all the right reasons. Each 20-member band has spent a year preparing the set piece and two others, so thanks go to all the teaching staff, all the school governing councils, parents and school communities who support these students to get to Mount Gambier ready for competition.

The outright winner this year in division 1 was Marryatville High School. They are, of course, a specialist music branch of the public schools here in South Australia, and it continues a legendary rivalry with Victoria's Wesley College. The winner of the Wenger Band Director's Award was Rob Chenoweth, who is also from Marryatville High School. They had bands in division 2 as well, and Marryatville actually won division 2.

We also see, in division 3, Prince Alfred College and St John's Grammar School from South Australia being placed. In division 4, we see Immanuel College, Pedare College and Wilderness School placed. In the vocal ensemble section, Wilderness School actually won over Marryatville High School, with St Mary's College (also from South Australia) in third place. Division 2 vocal saw Marryatville High School again successful, with Immanuel and Concordia (who are also from South Australia) place second and third. Vocal division 3 saw Pembroke from South Australia win, with Temple Christian College third. The James Morrison Jazz Scholarship recipient this year was Nicholas Pennington.

Congratulations to everybody involved. I do hope members will come down to the mount next year and witness what will be an even bigger and better event.

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