Music program hitting right beat
Surf Coast Secondary College students have the opportunity to partake in a variety of extra-curricular and co-curricular activities, including a music program that fuels year 12 student Callum Watson’s passion.
It was at the age of five, maybe six, that Callum Watson realised he wanted to be a musician. A few years later he came across a local music teacher that, as he puts it, got him completely obsessed about jazz.
A decade later the year 12 Surf Coast Secondary School student, who can play almost every instrument but favours jazz, now finds himself juggling his extensive musical commitments with other VCE subjects. Callum cites influential American jazz pianist and composer Bill Evans as his idol, with Herbie Hancock another he looks up to.
It was at the age of five, maybe six, that Callum Watson realised he wanted to be a musician. A few years later he came across a local music teacher that, as he puts it, got him completely obsessed about jazz.
A decade later the year 12 Surf Coast Secondary School student, who can play almost every instrument but favours jazz, now finds himself juggling his extensive musical commitments with other VCE subjects. Callum cites influential American jazz pianist and composer Bill Evans as his idol, with Herbie Hancock another he looks up to.
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Last year he studied two musical subjects and in 2015 he is again embarking on two – these consist of both VCE and VET units.
The Surf Coast Secondary music program is overseen by coordinator Evan Jones, and in addition to theoretical components, participating students are provided with opportunities to enhance their experiences outside the classroom. “Last year I went to New York Jazz Symposium, which was held in Melbourne, and it was awesome. Previously I’ve also been to Juilliard Music School in New York,” Callum said. This year his studies revolve around styles and composition, and music investigations. “I have to write a thesis on an area of music and I’ve chosen the evolution of jazz piano. There’s also a performance I need to do at the end,” Callum said. “There’s a lot of expertise at the school that helps to develop my skills on a daily basis.” At the end of his secondary studies, Callum is looking at apply for a jazz related Monash University degree. “I want to see how far music can take me,” he said. |
Year 12 student Callum Watson thrives on the school’s music program.
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