Burnside High’s Junior Concert Band is a non-auditioned group of Year 9 and 10s, ranging from the complete beginner to the advanced, who all took Music as an option subject.

Once a week the Concert Band will rehearse for a period. The Concert Band, conducted by Dr Helen Renaud and with the concertmaster of Andrew Wu, is composed of wind, brass and percussion players, and numbers approximately 50 in size. This year, the Concert Band has had fun playing multiple pieces at different concerts, including the North West Festival, the Aurora Festival, winning Silver, and the Junior Showcase recently. Our repertoire this year included The Imperial March from Star Wars, Friend Like Me from Aladdin, and some lesser-known pieces such as The Robert Burns Suite by Jim Mahaffey, Big, Bad and Blue by Michael J. Miller, and Rampage by Todd Salter.

As the leader of the Flute section, I feel proud and accomplished to say that I’ve successfully led the section, and indirectly co-lead the entire ensemble, throughout this year, the first obstacle of which was the uniform change, and being able to perform without COVID restrictions! I’ve always tried to work with my section and anyone else who is willing to try to improve all aspects of their playing, and I really hope I have made a difference.

I’d like to thank Dr Renaud for being the one who would always be there for these things, keeping us moving, conducting with a lightsaber, and being the best conductor that anyone could have. Thank you so much, Dr Renaud, for giving me this opportunity.

I’m also incredibly grateful to the entire band, as a whole, for also slogging through all the rehearsals, and especially my sections, who I might have been tough on at times. Thank you all for doing this.

I remember the first rehearsal we had this year. Me, a scared Year 10 who didn’t think they were worthy enough to lead the Flute section. Not knowing anyone’s name in my section, yet I was supposed to lead them. How I failed at so many notes in our first rehearsal, and thought, “there’s no way I’m doing this.”

Yet… Here we are now. A massively successful year, me being inordinately proud of my section (and knowing all their names too!) and a deep sense of contentment that I did it.

No - we did it. I - we - couldn’t have done it without everyone else. Everyone in the band made a contribution , and I will never forget you all, and this experience.

Thank you, Concert Band, for the wonderful year we have had together as one ensemble.