We met with Emilio Ghosh-Novero (Head Arts Prefect) and David Song (Deputy Arts Prefect) to talk about what led them to becoming a prefect and hear their plans for 2024.
What's your arts background?
Emilio: "Music is my main art - I've played drums since year 7, currently learning from Carl Woodward (regular drummer for the Dunedin Jazz Club) and previously Marcel Rodeka (Oxo Cubans). I've been playing with the John McGlashan big band and other small combos like our band Marmalade throughout school, and I really enjoy being a part of the great atmosphere and strengthening the relationships in our school arts community"
David: "I've played Saxophone since year 7 at Tahuna. When I started out, it was because Dad wanted me to play jazz - I gave the Trombone a try but it wasn't for me and then I found my niche on the sax and really started to enjoy the music for myself. My first band was in year 8, called 'Amped Up' and I've been playing with the John McGlashan big band throughout my time at school. I've naturally become a bit of a leader on woodwind!
I've also been sketching and watercolour painting since I was 6 years old, and my sketches have been displayed in the John McGlashan office! This year I'm taking photography and I'm excited to try out a new artistic skill."
Both David and Emilio have also started John McGlashan's small jazz combo, which will be the college's first entry in the Dunedin Youth Jazz Festival later this year!
What are the main things you want to achieve as an arts prefect at John McGlashan?
"Promoting the arts as much as possible and shining a light on all the awesome things happening at the school. We think that there are loads of incredible artists at the school but sometimes we don't know just how talented they are until after they leave - there's a real opportunity here to start supporting our young artists earlier while they're at school and before they move into the 'real world'.
We came up through jazz band and saw the older students as great role models who inspired us to play music like they did, so we're keen to be those role models for all the new artists coming through school."
What events do you have coming up?
"This week, we've been practicing hard for Rockquest! Its coming up this Saturday May 18th, 1:30pm at Taieri College. We've written an original jazz number for our band Marmalade, and we're really looking forward to performing it.
To get warmed up, we've organised a music showcase this Friday afternoon for all our fellow students entering from both John McGlashan and our sister school Columba."
Follow the @mcglashan_arts Instragram to keep up to date with photos & footage from Rockquest and all things artistic around John McGlashan and out in our community.
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