Scotch College

- Scotch's very musical Hill

Scotch's very musical Hill

Pass by the Scotch Boarding House any day after school and you’re likely to hear the melodious warble of a saxophone, the tinkle of piano keys, the metallic twang of an electric guitar or the clatter and boom of a drum kit getting a serious workout. The boarders are right into music of every kind.

Literally dozens of Scotch boarders learn instruments or sing in choirs. Many of them play more than one instrument, and perform with virtuosity. And lately there has been a marked increase in boys tickling the ivories up on the Hill, with the acquisition of three new Kawai pianos – one in each boarding house. There’s a boarders’ band which rocks the Chapel’s rafters on Sunday evenings, backing enthusiastic renditions of contemporary hymns and songs.

There are a number of boarders in the Symphony Orchestra and in the Showband, and many others in the various school choirs and the Pipe Band. Three boarders – percussionist and pianist John Au and violinists and pianists Alex and Julian Hua – participated in the Symphony Orchestra’s triumphant tour of Europe and the UK in January. Stephen Chow, Adam Kastoras and Alan Tang are in the Senior Choir which also toured Europe.

David Dower (Year 9) is a great example of a boarder who has thrived in a Scotch environment which encourages excellence in music, as in all pursuits. David comes from a musical family living at Foster in Victoria’s south-east – his mother, father, three brothers and one sister all play at least one instrument, making up what may well be known locally as the Dower Family Minstrels. (David’s mother plays five instruments!)

David is a fine all-round musician who is already an accomplished jazz pianist, as well as a percussionist and organist. He has played the organ at boarders’ Chapel services, and punches out rhythms on the glockenspiel (a kind of small portable piano) in the military band. He also plays in the Monday Big Band and the Dreyfuss Band, in all spending a minimum of 10 hours a week on lessons, playing and practice.

David believes being a musician in the boarding house certainly has its advantages. ‘We can use the Forbes Academy much more than day boys, and there’s always the chance to discuss music with other boarders and to play together,’ David told Great Scot. He appreciates the encouraging attitude to music at Scotch, and his music has taken on wider horizons as a result.

Alistair Ingram (electic guitar) & Karl Buchorn (drums)

But all music and no play could make David a dull boy, so he is an enthusiastic cricketer for the 9Bs, and captained the 8B2 football team last winter. And at this stage he isn’t interested in a career in music. ‘I’ll keep playing when I leave school, but I haven’t really decided what I want to do yet.’

From budding Year 7 clarinettists, of which there are several, right through to the giants of the Symphony Orchestra, music plays an important part in the lives of Scotch’s very musical boarders. Listen to that Hill rock!

DAVID ASHTON