Musician spotlight

Hannah Vardy, Performing Arts Prefect

1. When did you commence at Radford and which music activities have you taken part in since?

I started at Radford in 2016 and joined the Beginner Instrumental Program. I had always wanted to play the flute, so I was looking forward to starting it in Year 7. Since then, I have enjoyed playing in various Radford concerts and events, such as the Year 10 Celebration, art shows, fetes, college tours, ANZAC Day services, recitals and in The Addams Family musical and Year 12 Revue this year, which were certainly two of the highlights of my senior years! I also had the opportunity to play with local Indigenous musician Johnny Huckle in Year 10, which was something I enjoyed.

2. What is involved in your leadership position as Performing Arts Prefect? And what have been the highlights and challenges of your role this year?

As Performing Arts Prefect, I have worked with the Music Department staff at various concerts and recitals to help set up, manage rehearsal areas, and help out younger musicians. I have also helped organise other initiatives within the Performing Arts space, including the music and instrumentation for events like the Revue, RadPAC and Year 12 Graduation, as well as planning fun activities for events like Music Camp.

More generally, being a Prefect involves being part of a great leadership team that creates events and activities to support the school community, including mufti days, assembly presentations and other extra-curricular activities, including House carnivals. It also includes going on Year 7 Camp and supporting the first few weeks of their high school journey, which was an opportunity I found rewarding and one I consider a highlight of my role. I also enjoy seeing and helping foster the enjoyment of music in the younger musicians, as, for me, music has been a much-needed outlet throughout high school.

A major challenge has definitely been the lockdown, with many music events cancelled or modified in some way, but we have found good ways to adapt so we should be able to hold some events next term!

3. How are you managing with the lockdown and how does your music play a part in your lockdown life?

I’m managing ok in lockdown. Year 12 keeps you busy but it’s nice to have some more time to invest in music – I have enjoyed finding more ways to enjoy my playing, rather than just getting through pieces week by week. As Mr Marston has mentioned in his new podcast (read: everyone in concert bands, go listen to the podcast!), finding music that challenges you and working hard on it over lockdown is a great way to accelerate the improvement of your playing. I have enjoyed finding different styles of pieces to what I’m used to and working on the more technical and ‘sound-based’ areas of my playing.