CDU music students share honours in battle of bands heat

The band Hello Jenny and solo artist Silva Landers have been invited to perform in a schools music competition in Darwin after winning the Central Australian heat of Battle of the School Bands in Alice Springs yesterday.

Three bands and three solo artists gave high standard demonstrations of their skills in a loud and spirited concert in Centralian Senior College’s multi-purpose theatrette.

Charles Darwin University contemporary music lecturer Cain Gilmour said the three-member act Hello Jenny scored well with judges across all criteria.

“Judges gave them a score of 241 points out of a maximum 280,” he said.

“Their stage craft and proficiency with instruments was good, their musicianship was strong and their songs were original and creative.”

The Melbourne Indy-style band comprises OLSH students Michael Lindsay (vocals/guitar), and brothers Levi (bass) and Huon Chapman (drums).

Michael and Levi, who have been studying contemporary music at CDU for the past three years through the Vocational Education and Training in Schools program, are now undertaking units of the Certificate IV program.

Mr Gilmour said Silva Landers, a Centralian Senior College student who also has been studying music at CDU, acquitted herself well with a gutsy performance before an appreciative crowd.

“Silva writes good quality songs and performs with a lot of confidence,” he said.

Hello Jenny and Silva Landers will compete against the winners of three other Battle of the School Bands heats in a final in Darwin on 11 April. The winners of that event will win the opportunity to perform at the BASSINTHEGRASS music festival in May.