Marryatville High has developed a proud history with Generations in Jazz, first taking part during the event's early years in the 1990s.
At the 2023 competition, it was the nation's best performing public high school, placing first in the National Stage Band Division 1, and third in Division 2 Band, Division 1 large vocal and Division 3 vocal.
Last year, the school placed first in four different categories.
Marryatville's Head of Music Jasmin Feneley said the students consistently demonstrated outstanding musical skills and exemplary behaviour at the event, held each May in Mount Gambier.
“We are like a big, crazy, giant music family,” Ms Feneley said of the school’s music program, which has over 300 students from year 7 to year 12.
But Ms Feneley said attending Generations in Jazz - which brings together young jazz musicians from all over Australia - wasn't all about winning for the school.
"Coming first is the icing on the cake, but what really is the success for me is when the students are supporting other people, they’re clapping at other events and paying attention," she said.
"I can come back and say they were ambassadors for our school.”
Marryatville's music students are immersed in the world of music from composition to performance.
Year 12 student and music captain Amelia said it was the school's culture that made its specialist music program special.
“The culture of Marryatville music has made my experience as a student really valuable,” said Amelia, who hopes to study at the Elder Conservatorium of Music at the University of Adelaide next year.
“All the different year groups and social groups in music are connected through their shared love of music.
"That connection and sense of belonging helps me with my other subjects as well, because I know I always have music to come back to.”
Ms Feneley said the benefits of learning music went far beyond learning to play an instrument or sing.
"It’s teamwork, learning how to communicate with others," she said.
"They do goal setting and time management, and a big one is they learn to achieve their own personal best, whatever that happens to be."
Marryatville High is one of four special interest music schools around Adelaide, the others being Playford International College, Woodville High School and Brighton Secondary School.
The specialist music program curriculum, which was established in 1976, includes the development of choral, concert band, jazz, contemporary, orchestral, solo and small ensemble skills within the classroom program as well as part of extra curricular offerings, like competing at Generations in Jazz.
An impressive array of professional musicians and performing artists once graced the hallways of Marryatville High as students.
Many alumni have gone on to senior positions in orchestras and musical organisations around the globe, from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, to being cast in West End musicals. Take a look at the alumni list below:
Toby Lea – Principal Viola in Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Ben Lea - Violin in Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Daniel Handsworth - Principal Bassoon Swedish Radio Orchestra
Naomi Crellin - Composer and arranger, member of internationally renowned Acapella group The Idea Of North
Pei-Sian Ng – Principal Cello Singapore Symphony Orchestra
Joel Prime – London-based drummer
Ben Todd – Professional drummer, currently touring with Cirque Du Soleil
Sidney Millar – Audio design and composition
Chloe Bruer-Jones – Singer, actor, dancer and musician
Rachel Bruerville - Australian composer, arranger, cellist, singer and writer
Baylie Carson – Australian actor, singer, dancer. Currently playing Anne Boleyn in the 2022-23 West End Production of Six the Musical
Robert Macfarlane – Professional Tenor Opera singer
Jack Schiller - Principal Bassoon Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Matt Gilbertson - 'Hans' cabaret performer
Sally Cameron – Multi-ARIA award-winning singer, former member of The Idea Of North
Marty Holoubek – Tokyo-based bassist and composer
