By
Graham Davis
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Some
of the 30 students from years seven and eight at Balmain
High School watch the Navy band in rehearsal
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Photo:
LSPH Damian Pawlenko
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The
RAN tuned into Navy Week 2003 with music celebrating 90 years
since the commencement of the first permanent RAN Band in 1913.
During rehearsals for the celebrations the RAN Band Sydney was
visited by some 30 music students from years 7-8 at Balmain High
School.
They were entertained with extracts from Lord of the Rings, such
as the piece Gollum, where the Navy tubas and bassoons imitated
the drones of the didgeridoo. “Circular breathing would be ideal
in this piece,” said Music Director of the Sydney detachment of
the band, LEUT Paul Cottier.
“It’s cool,” said 14 year old Hanna Chang, a student of the violin.
The Sydney Band was assisted by 14 musicians from the RAN Band-Melbourne,
and led by its musical director and double bass player, LEUT Steven
Stanke.
“He’s great,” said 13 year old student Toby Solomon, who also
plays the double bass. Other pieces included Gandalf the Wizard,
Lothlorien the Elvenwood, Journey into the Dark, and Hobbits.
“It’s quite powerful music and takes practice and skill to mix
the sound to make it an uplifting experience for the audience,”
said the Director of Music-Navy, LCDR Phillip Anderson, who conducted
the rehearsals. “Some pieces need to be played so quiet that I
have to really have to put a sock in it,” said bassoon player
LSMUSN Cassie Mohapp of Penrith.
During a rehearsal break the students tried out their skills out
using the RAN’s instruments. Sarah Butler, who created the Balmain
School Concert Band project in 2002, thanked the efforts of ex
ABMUSN Todd Wynyard and his wife Angelique, also a former ABMUSN,
who organised the visit.
The RAN Band then highlighted its anniversary by participating
in Navy Week 2003, starting with performances at the Naval Chapel
at Garden Island on October 2.
They followed this with MC’s Beat to Quarters and Ceremonial Sunset
aboard HMAS Success, a Flagship recital and recordings at the
ABC Studio Ultimo and the commissioning ceremony for HMAS Parramatta.
The Band finished with Navy Open Day at GI-Sydney and Parramatta’s
ship’s ball on October 5.
