Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield has brought the sound of music to a small town in Northern Italy via a video performance.
The idea came about after School Bands Australia’s executive manager, Laura Demicelli, heard of a competition to sing or play Albizzate’s town song,Gente di Albizzate.
Mrs Demicelli had attended a school in Albizzate, a town in Northern Italy, and wanted to send the message to her childhood neighbours that “Music is more contagious than the virus” and “Together (even far away) we will make it.”
She thought it would help raise their spirits during the COVID-19 crisis.
So she approached Patrician Brothers, a school with which School Bands Australia already had an affiliation, and a band was formed from students in the school’s music program who performed the song.
WATCH THE PERFORMANCE
THE COLLEGE CONCERT BAND
Patrician Brothers’ College’s music program provides Year 7 boys with an instrument each for a term to help encourage their participation in the College’s Beginners, Intermediate and Concert bands.
“To see boys taking an instrument home and to fall in love with it, gives me great satisfaction,” Principal Peter Wade said.
“In just two short years we have developed a culture where it is ‘cool’ to be a member of the College Concert Band” – Peter Wade
The music program is coordinated by the high school’s director of Music, Adam Lockwood, and supported by School Bands Australia’s executive director, Martin Davison, and a number of roving musicians who provide in-class tuition to the more advanced students.
“The concert band program has breathed new life into our college,” Mr Wade said.
“The opportunity for boys to find their passion in all sorts of curricular and extracurricular activities excites me as principal.”
By: JUDE THOMAS
