The spirituality of place | Scotch College Perth

For many students at Scotch, music is more than just a hobby or a pastime. It is a powerful tool for learning, creativity, and wellbeing.

Studies have shown that music education can enhance academic performance, cognitive skills, social-emotional development, and cultural awareness, but engagement in learning and playing a musical instrument can also help students cope with stress, express themselves, and connect with others.

Music is not only a part of our curriculum, but also a part of our culture and identity. Music brings us together as a school community, fostering a sense of belonging, pride, and joy.

Often, musical performance is not the focus of a particular event, but it forms a critical part of the success of the event by underpinning the tone, guiding the mood, highlighting key moments, fulfilling a ceremonial role, and creating lasting impressions or memories associated with the event.

Consider our weekly assemblies at Scotch, whether it's in the Senior, Middle or Junior Schools; or our chapel services each day; or our fortnightly Saturday evening Kirk @ Scotch services. Or perhaps some of the other significant occasions in our calendar such as ANZAC day, or March Out, or Valedictory, maybe even some of our parent social functions.

Whilst we celebrate our musical achievements and talents through concerts, festivals, competitions, and showcases, we need to remember the importance of the role of music in our everyday school lives and activities and benefit for every person in this. It's in these spaces that the sense of purpose for the music community is firmly established.

Rising stars

Recently, our Head of Performing Arts caught up with some of our next generation musicians to give an insight into their musical journeys.

Year group & age: Year 11, 16 years old
Instruments played: violin, flute
Ensemble involvement: Scotch Concert Band, Chamber Strings, Vocal Collective, Senior Flute Ensemble, Kirk @ Scotch consort
Representations: West Australian Youth Orchestra (Philharmonic Orchestra).

I started playing the piano when I was five years old, then I started violin as part of the Year 3 string fellowship pathway at Scotch. One of the best teachers I've ever had was Mrs Sarina Davies (nee Li), whose nurturing and caring inspired me. I also started learning the flute in Year 6 as part of the Year 6 band pathway and I'm still playing both.

My most memorable moment to date was a concert performance with the PLC-Scotch Symphony Orchestra, conducted and directed by Dr Daniel Masmanian. I was a very young musician and found it fascinating that after we played the first chord of the piece (the Overture from Die Zauberflute), he stopped the orchestra and directed us to re-start!

I always want to keep music as a central part of my life, even after leaving school. It's a great creative outlet and I have always enjoyed it. I hear a lot of people say they regret stopping their musical journey and I don't want to be in that position. I am auditioning for the West Australian Youth Orchestra and hope to achieve a placement in the Symphony Orchestra for 2025.

Year group & age: Year 10, 15 years old
Instruments played: piano, percussion
Ensemble involvement: Scotch Concert Band, Scotch Jazz Orchestra, The Piano Gang, Highland Thunder Drumline

I started my musical journey in pre-primary at my previous school, Carey Baptist College. I began on piano with Mrs Deborah McGuiness and did my early AMEB grades during this time. In year six I began percussion as part of the year six band pathway. Even though piano is technically a percussion instrument, now I get to play all sorts of different instruments every week, which keeps things interesting.

One of my most memorable musical experiences was only recently, when I was selected to play Keyboard Two as part of the professional band in the Scotch-PLC production of School of Rock, The Musical. It was an extremely fulfilling educational experience playing with professional musicians and collaborating with other passionate arts students involved in the show. The social aspect was fun too. In the short term, I'm taking the IB Diploma HL music course and want to continue performing with the various ensembles I'm part of.

I'm hoping to be selected for the Australian Combined Schools Music Festival in Adelaide during June 2025 and will continue with collaborative opportunities, such as accompanying younger soloists for performances.

Year group & age: Year 7, 12 years old
Instruments played: violin
Ensemble involvement: Chamber Strings

I started my musical journey the day after my 5th birthday when I had my first lesson on violin, with Mr Chee Yong. I have been his student ever since. I have a great relationship with him and he is quite inspiring as a teacher.

My most memorable musical moment to date is probably my first Eisteddfod, when I was six years old. I had only been learning violin for a year, and I was awarded first place for my performance of Theme from Witches' Dance (Paganini). I was so happy because the other people in my section of the Eisteddfod were all older than me and I thought I didn't have a chance.

I am currently working toward my 8th grade AMEB violin examination. I certainly want to complete my AMus and potentially my LMus one day. In the short term, I am auditioning for the West Australian Youth Orchestra and am hoping to be successful in obtaining a place in the Symphony Orchestra for 2025.

Year group & age: Year 5, 9 years old
Instruments played: Piano, Cello, Voice (singing)
Ensemble involvement: Youth Strings, Youth Voices

I started my musical journey when I was 5 years old. I started playing cello, then a year later I started learning piano. Last year, I started formal singing lessons with Robert Hoffmann.

My most memorable musical moment was only very recently. I was selected to perform a vocal solo at the Scotch Winter Soirée. I think it really helped me to prepare for the Western Suburbs Music Eisteddfod, which I performed at in September.

I'm only in Year 5 at the moment, so I plan to keep going with all of my instruments next year in Middle School. One day, I hope to play for big concerts, maybe with an orchestra like the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

Music education: more than just a hobby

Rising stars

Heath Arbuckle (Music fellowship holder)

Seth Loveday (Music scholarship holder)

Lucas Huang (Music scholarship holder)

Leo Hao (Music student)

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