A trip to Canberra to compete at the Australian National Eisteddfod left 55 Lavalla Catholic College students a “bit starry-eyed”.
Lavalla Catholic College director of music and conductor of the choir and jazz ensemble Shane Reid said the eisteddfod gave students an opportunity to see a national standard of music.
“It was a great experience for the students to hear the great work of other schools and also be competitive,” he said.
The students competed in choir, jazz ensemble and concert band with many competing in multiple sections throughout the eisteddfod.
The Lavalla senior choir won a gold shield for its performance, the senior jazz ensemble entered in two sections and won a gold and silver shield, and the senior concert band also entered two sections to take home a silver and a bronze shield.
Mr Reid said most students rehearsed at least one morning before school every week with some rehearsing up to four mornings a week in the lead up to the national eisteddfod.
“We’re very proud,” he said.
“It is a very high-level competition and the students were able to see a really high standard of music education.
“We’ve been buzzing all week.”
The students performed at the prestigious Llewellyn Hall at Australian National University which Mr Reid said left them all a bit “starry-eyed” and students described as a “great experience” because the space was designed with acoustics in mind.
Competitor and student Caitlin said the trip had been a great opportunity for the group to see what they were capable of.
“It was really good to see where we are at and how we can grow into the future,” she said.
While in Canberra the group took a tour of Parliament House, Lake Burley Griffin, the NASA Deep Space Centre and were met by Member for Gippsland Darren Chester, which Mr Reid described as a “real highlight”.
