By Bridget Cook
STUDENTS and staff at St Peter’s College in Cranbourne have been celebrating recently to the smooth sound of jazz.
The soundtrack for Gatsby, the college’s 2008 musical, was recently recognised by the Victorian Jazz Archives and will soon be inducted into its elite ranks.
This is a special announcement for all those involved with the production, particularly for music co-ordinator Frank Carter.
Mr Carter composed the original score, based on The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and wrote the lyrics for the soundtrack which features the vocals of many talented students.
“I’m very proud of the quality of all the performers on the CD and the range of music presented,” said Mr Carter.
“It’s great that my work is gaining some recognition in the wider community.”
The announcement is a historic moment for both the college and jazz in Victoria, and is a great accomplishment for what has been an exciting and memorable journey for all those involved.
Tony Lambides of the Victorian Jazz Archive said the cast’s stage presence, the unique musical score and the talent of so many students left the greatest impression on him.
“The professionalism displayed in this production, by this gifted cast of singers, actors and musicians with their interpretation of Gatsby, through jazz, blues and swing, showed all in attendance that the future of music and jazz is in very good hands,” Mr Lambides said.
More than 250 people attended the public launch of the CD at Baxter Tavern, the largest crowd the venue had hosted.
Students Catherine Martin, Stacy Blackburn, Lossie Lotele, Taylor Piggott and Mani Risal performed numbers from the soundtrack, bringing the sounds of the roaring ’20s back to life.
