By KATRINA BRANDON and CHRIS GRETTON
A WHIRLWIND of sound filled the Federation University, Churchill campus earlier this month.
Projecting to an audience of around 200, people were transported into a magical environment created through music.
The show, Music for the Valley, brought together many different pieces.
Kurnai College Jazz Band was proud to collaborate with Monash University’s Medical Jazz Band and the Monash Medical Orchestra.
Director of Monash Rural Health, Churchill, Associate Professor Marianne Tare, opened the event.
“Every year, Monash Rural Health trains over 200 medical students in the region,” Prof Tare told attendees.
“This is our ninth annual concert and the bands and orchestra are always excited about it. It is a wonderful collaboration and gives us a stunning musical program year after year.
“The first performances were (performed) by the Monash Medical Orchestra, and then over the years, they were joined by the Monash Medical Jazz Band, and then more recently by the fabulous staff and students of Kurnai College.”
Prof Tare said the event had something for everyone.
First on stage was the jazz ensembles, under the musical direction of Joshua Choong and Kevin Nimalraj.
As the program progressed, the bands delivered an outstanding set, featuring music ranging from jazz legend Freddie Hubbard to the timeless music of Etta James. Songs such as Red Clay, At Last, Just the Two of Us, and A Change Is Gonna Come flowed throughout the auditorium.
Between songs, Mr Choong shared information that brought the audience closer to the music, including some band participation.
Highlighting musical talent, Mr Choong mentioned a piece called Moanin’ by Bobby Timmons. Timmons composed Moanin’ when he was just 22. It has become a jazz classic most musicians learn throughout their careers.
Mr Choong asked band members to raise their hand if they were around that age, and most did.
After finishing the first part of the night with A Change Is Gonna Come, the band and orchestra took the interval to prepare for the grand collaboration, mingling throughout the crowd.
The Monash Medical Jazz Band stayed for one piece alongside the medical orchestra and the Kurnai Jazz Band, playing My Way by Paul Anka, Jacques Revausx, Claude Frcois and ARR.
On a mission to keep the audience engaged, the Monash Medical Orchestra and Kurnai Jazz Band went on to play 007: Throughout the Years, a selection from Enigma Variations, highlights from Wicked, and finally Polovtsian Dances.
Kurnai College Music Coordinator, Chris Gretton, said the event was a great success.
“It was a truly memorable evening and another fantastic celebration of music, collaboration and community,” he said.
“We would like to sincerely thank Monash University, Monash Rural Health, Kurnai College and Bendigo Bank for their generous support in helping make this wonderful community event possible.
“We look forward to continuing this valued collaboration and bringing Music for the Valley back to our community again next year.”
Kurnai musicians highlighted the costs involved with putting on performances such as Voices of the Valley. Students pay for their own accommodation and fuel to perform.
In previous years, donations have helped ease costs for students.
The Monash Medical Orchestra was established in 2011 and has played a large role in the lives of numerous medical students, providing an outlet for their musical creativity.
Leading the orchestra, acclaimed both nationally and internationally for his work with orchestras, soloists and choirs, Robert Dora continues to uphold the long-lasting reputation the orchestra has in the Gippsland area.
The Monash Medical Jazz Band was formed in 2021 by a group of medical students.
