When Kathryn George, OAM, arrived at Mackay North State High School (SHS) in 1979 to teach music, she had only 3 broken xylophones and an out-of-tune piano to work with.
Fast-forward 48 years, and Kathryn is now head of the school's Music Department, oversees $200,000 worth of musical equipment, and leads one of Australia’s largest single-school marching bands.
In 2019, Kathryn received an Order of Australia Medal for her services to school music ensembles.
'When I first arrived at Mackay North SHS all those years ago, I looked around at the little I had to work with and decided to turn it into a top-class music facility' Kathryn says.
'The school started to raise money for equipment while I set about writing all the musical arrangements for the various band sections because we didn’t have any.'
Marching band development leads to success
These days, the Mackay North State High School Marching Band is recognised as one of the best school marching bands in the world and is in demand nationally and internationally.
'In 1991, we had 35 students in the band, and this year we have 130' Kathryn says.
'Our band’s reputation blossomed in 1995 when we were the only state school band in Queensland invited to take part in the Brisbane Anzac Parade.'
'Back then, our marching band students wore a red hat, a blue blouse and long white pants or skirts. Needless to say, of course, a black cloud overhead decided to rain. Not on the whole parade—just on our students.'
'The spectators’ jaws dropped when the red dye from the hats started to run in rivulets down the students' uniforms, all the way to the white fabric. But our students continued marching and playing beautifully as if nothing had happened. I was so proud.'
'This is our 31st year of being invited to participate in the parade. Ninety-two band members will take the 16-hour bus ride to Brisbane for the event. It's a real highlight and an honour for our students.'
Onlookers will be able to identify the school marching band by its current uniform, which consists of a black shirt and trousers, an electric blue vest, a small gold tie, and a matching blue Akubra hat with a gold band—all worn with the same sense of pride displayed 31 years ago.
Global recognition
Kathryn said the band has built on its Anzac Parade success, going from strength to strength and in the year 2000, was invited to represent Queensland at the Sydney Olympics, playing in the opening ceremony alongside bands from all over the world.
This was followed by representing Australia in the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and then being invited to participate in the 2011 Shanghai Tourism Festival.
'The 2-hour march was watched by eight million people live and by millions on television' Kathryn says.
'Then in 2015 we we were invited to represent Australia in the American Independence Day Parade in Los Angeles, and while there, we also made a guest appearance at the Disneyland afternoon parade at Anaheim.'
The benefits of learning music
Nothing makes Kathryn happier at school than watching her music students develop new skills and confidence through music.
As well as the marching band, the school has 2 concert bands and a strings ensemble.
'It does wonders for their self-esteem, discipline and focus' she says.
'Even if my students do not go into music professionally, studying music enhances the learning process. Marching precisely as a team and playing an instrument at the same time gets both sides of the brain working together, and I am firmly convinced it helps students learn.'
'We always start students off marching and only add the instruments after they are a proficient marching group. I have taught students who have been struggling with their academics in class but then achieve better results after they started learning an instrument or music. Students with special needs also benefit from listening to or taking part in music, with their mood, confidence and attitude changing for the better—and along with it—their wellbeing.'
The joy of teaching
Kathryn, who will be 70 this year, says she can't see herself retiring from music anytime soon.
In addition to her work at Mackay North SHS, Kathryn is a lead endorser of select group of confirmers for music education in Queensland schools, ensuring that music is taught consistently and to a high standard.
'There is always more that I can achieve' Kathryn says.
'I love teaching music. It’s not just what I do. It's who I am. To start the year with a fresh group of students who don’t know how to march in unison and see them grow into a finely tuned team is wonderful. I’ve had students come up to me and say 'Wow! You taught my mum, and now you are teaching me.'
'I love hearing that. I firmly believe teachers can help shape someone’s life. It doesn’t matter what they teach. I mean, we are just a school band from a regional Queensland town and look what these students have achieved.'
'All teachers have the ability to contribute something positive and inspiring and to help guide a new generation in the right direction.'