THE Bendigo Instrumental Music Program launched its 10-year anniversary with 150 students involved in the music program this year.
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The students are from schools across the Bendigo region including Crusoe College, Bendigo South East College, Eaglehawk Secondary College and Weeroona College.
They attended the camp for four days and during school hours, with the event taking place in the newly-refurbished extension at the Bendigo Baptist Church for the first time this year.
“We are so lucky to have this venue...we are the first group to use it,” co-ordinator, Gavin Moncrieff said.
“In previous years we had material to divide the room into its sections. This is a lot easier."
The students received four sessions during the day with conductors and tutors, which included intensive rehearsals in wood wind, brass, strings and percussion.
Musician Jon Madin ran the workshop.
Students experimented with colourful home-made percussion instruments which included the marimba and the echo cellos.
Students were able to take a break from their rehearsals to participate in the workshop while still learning about music and its different aspects, Mr Moncrieff said.
The program started on Monday and finished on Thursday and the closing item was a concert that involved not only the students but the staff as well.
The concert took place on Thursday afternoon with the students displaying an extended range of musical talents and new skills.
The program's three concert bands - the Copeland Band, Granger Band and Host Band - performed as well as the two string ensembles.
Beaming smiles were emanated from the students throughout the entire program and Ms Geddes said, “We have had excellent feedback from the conductors”.
“The kids are amazed,” Mr Moncrieff said.
Each year the number of students in the program have increased.
"Each year we look forward to coming back,” Ms Geddes said.
The kids are amazed.
- Gavin Moncrieff