Hills musicians take to the square

By Tania Martin
THE best musicians the hills have to offer recently took audiences at Federation Square by storm.
Eighty budding classical, jazz and rock musicians from across the hills and parts of the Yarra Valley entertained the city crowds on 6 September.
The afternoon of music was held at the BMW Edge Stage at Federation Square.
In Schools Music conductor Andrew McAlister said the stage was the perfect setting for the students.
“A magnificent grand piano and professional sound technician made it a real pleasure to perform,” he said. The performance was part of the In School Music senior program.
As part of the program the students from across the Dandenongs including Cockatoo, Ferntree Gully, and Seville presented an afternoon of musical pleasure.
From jazz to big band there was something for everyone including a touch of classical.
Mr McAlister said the opening act was one of the most memorable parts of the day.
“We had a fanfare with a performance of Rocky theme…they learned their music by memory and were positioned around the broad stage and elevated walkway making a wall of sound that had to be heard to be believed.”