Young musos deserve to blow their own trumpets

By Ed Merrison
SIX young local musicians had the honour of playing alongside prodigious peers from all over the State at a Victorian College of the Arts summer school.
The talented youngsters played in four separate ensembles at the Melbourne Youth Music Council Summer School from Monday, 23, to Saturday, 28 January.
Trumpet players Stewart, from Wandin Yallock, and Lauren, from The Patch, joined flautist Jessica, also from the Patch, in a band called Arney Road for the week-long course.
Horn player Brice, from Tecoma, was part of an orchestra, Tecoma tuba player Adam played in a symphonic band and trumpeter Jacob, from Silvan, was a big-band member.
A total of 900 musicians from all over Victoria descended upon the VCA on St Kilda Road for the summer school, where they were placed in graded ensembles to rehearse under the guidance of top contemporary music instructors ahead of a concert at Melbourne Town Hall on Saturday, 28 January.
Music teacher Andrew McAlister, from The Patch, teaches the students and supported their applications to attend the school.
Mr McAlister said the children received a first-class music experience at one of Melbourne’s best tertiary music institutions.
“Knowing they are mixing with the best and knowing they can cut it is just fantastic,” he said.