2008 Annual Report - Royal South Street Society

left Kate Saunders – Woodwind Solo.Photograph courtesy of The Courier.right Tyson Morrissy – Brass Solo.opposite left Lucy McDermott andLaura Quinan.opposite right Waiting in the wingsto perform. Photograph courtesy ofThe Courier.eleven o’clock finishes at night with choirs havingto return to Melbourne, Bendigo and Geelongand kids having to go to school next morning.For the first time since I have been involvedwith the Choral section the committee nowconsists of more than Barb and me. We haverecruited two new and keen members Judyand Frank Vagg. We also have the possibilityof another young person joining the committee.The first task for this committee is to putin place and revise checking systems thathopefully will overcome the minor problemsexperienced this year. I am also delighted thathaving a keen committee means that we areon the way to developing a succession plan forthe Choral discipline.Michael StewartChairmanInstrumental (Solos andEnsembles, WoodwindPercussion and Orchestras)The Diocesan Centre was an excellentvenue for instrumental, a fact on which theadjudicator, teachers and competitors madecomment. Our adjudicator for Strings, WendyGalloway was splendid and her comments,advice and common sense enhanced theexperience for all. At my request she gave verydetailed consideration to the VCE sectionswhich was most appreciated by both thestudents and teachers.It was disappointing that the Ballarat schoolswere lightly represented in the instrumentalsection. Perhaps some follow up would beprudent for next year. Given that two schoolsfrom out of Ballarat supported the Brass,Guitar, Woodwind and Strings so strongly, andin some cases exclusively, some of morningstarting times were too early.All our adjudicators, Major Graham Lloyd,Brenton Broadstock, William Broughton, MarkFord and Ben Smart were all that we could askfor. Again, extra time was given to comments atthe VCE level, a learning experience for us all.Special mention must be made of Ben Smartwho filled in within a day’s notice to adjudicatethe percussion section.I would suggest that next year more days beset aside for Instrumental. This would allow forreasonable meal breaks for the professionalswho work so hard to give helpful and criticalfeedback to our competitors.My personal thanks to all who assisted meduring the absence of Brian McInnis andin particular Michael Jongebloed and thetechnical staff at Her Majesty’s Theatre.Barb DunlopActing ChairmanUnfortunately through family commitments Iwas not able to preside over the first days ofthe Instrumental section, but did get in thelast four days of the ensembles. My personalthanks to Barb and Ric Dunlop who on top oftheir own disciplines stepped in and lookedafter the first six days and I congratulate themboth on a sterling job.The change to the Peter Martin Memorial rulesagain resulted in a pleasing and very highstandard of competition enjoyed by players andaudience alike. VCE student ensembles hadtwo vocal groups this year and I expect thatmore will enter in the years to come. Having allof the Stage Bands on the one day proved lesswork for side stage volunteers and should becontinued in next years programming.Again an extremely high standard of ensembleperformances competed this year and it isvery important that we again attract the bestadjudicators for our competition.As always thanks to all of the South Streetboard, staff and volunteers who put manyhours of dedicated work in ensuring that wepresent the very best in competition.Brian McInnisChairman