By Tyler Wright
Parents and staff at Monbulk College have come together to create a new music festival set to become an annual event for the Hills community.
The first-ever Hilltop Music Festival, set to be held at Olinda Community House on Sunday 10 September, is the result of a partnership between the Monbulk College Parents and Friends Club and music teachers Roz Wilson and Lisa Baird.
Funds raised on the day will go towards funding the school’s music department; including professional standard instruments and microphones, as well as a built-in PA system in the main music room and touring band set up.
Ms Wilson said both her and Ms Baird wanted to make an “amazing event” for students, but also provide past students an avenue to perform on stage.
“Then the students themselves can see that this could be an event that goes on more than just once and have something to aspire to,” Ms Wilson said.
“And also have an event where they have the opportunity to see professionals and share the stage with them.”
Special guests Lily & King and Al McInnes are also set to perform at the event, with a stall with vintage clothing, festival merchandise and second hand clothing on hand.
Ms Wilson said while the school population is not “overly huge,” with around 580 students enrolled, the music department has a “nice percentage” of 60 to 80 students involved in the music department.
“We’ve got a strong concert band program; lots of brass and woodwind kids, but then we are branching out to the more contemporary ensembles and we have music in year 11 and 12,” she said.
“The idea our school is very much about finding a safe space for everybody and we generally find each kid finds their tribe; whether that’s in the music department or in sport, or wherever.
“We want to give them opportunities that are authentic and meaningful and not just a tokenistic play at an assembly.”
Ms Wilson said the Hilltop Music Festival will hopefully turn into a more student-driven event in coming years.
“We’re trying to make it as realistic to a normal festival that you might come across anywhere else,” she said.
Tickets for the Hilltop Music Festival are priced at $5 for students and $10 for adults, and can be purchased on Humantix via https://events.humanitix.com/hilltop-music-festival/tickets.
The event will run from 12 noon to 7.30pm.
Olinda Community House is located at 79-81 Olinda-Monbulk Road in Olinda.
