As part of our 130th Anniversary celebrations, members of our community, including students, parents, and alumnae, were invited to submit compositions for a new song which celebrates the spirit of Melbourne Girls Grammar. We are delighted to announce that talented Year 10 student, Michelle Mah, is the winner of the competition. Michelle’s song, Brighter Than Ever Before is a beautiful piece written from the heart and epitomises the strong sense of belonging for all students and staff at MGGS.
When she first heard of the competition, Michelle and her friends knew she would submit something, and immediately Michelle began working away at lyrics and a tune. She said her experiences at school, the love she has for her friends and the opportunities she has here inspired her song. Michelle has always had an interest in composing music. In fact, she says she has ‘written a song, or at least a melody,’ almost every day this year. She revealed it was not too challenging to write a song about MGGS and remembers ‘coming home from a good day at School after a fun time with friends’ and being inspired to write much of the song that is being sung today. Michelle completed the chord progressions by March and had the accompanying lyrics done by June.
One thing that proved difficult was finding a title for the song. When it was first chosen as the winner, it was untitled, but Director of Music, Elizabeth du Blêt, Ms Barwell and Michelle joined forces and decided on ‘Brighter Than Ever Before’ which, Michelle shares, ‘is a metaphor of the School currently’ and refers to some original lyrics from early on in her writing process.
Michelle’s favourite part of the song is in the third verse, when ‘the lyrics, melody, and chords all work together’ to create an emotional pinnacle in the song.
“If the tide is running high, I’ll be waiting at the shore…”
A change to a B minor chord enhances the sudden mood change of the piece, which is resolved at the end of the verse where the lyrics read:
“Keep you safe within these walls, I will catch you if you fall, I stand with you, you stand with me…“
Michelle is thankful that all her hard work is paying off and is excited to finally share the song with her peers. After many hours alone at the piano, she has eagerly anticipated the moment when the whole School come together to sing it as one. Ms du Blêt and our House Captains have begun to teach students the addition to our musical repertoire as it will be performed by each House as the ‘set song’ at our upcoming House Music competition. Staff have commented on the love and joy the song incites amongst students at lunchtime rehearsals and are very much looking forward to watching each of the House Choirs perform Michelle’s song. Parents and community members will have the full choral experience at Speech Night in December.
As the composer of the winning song, Michelle has won a $1000 prize. Michelle intends to spend her prize money on music production equipment, which she says is ‘an investment in [her] future’. Michelle aspires to be a music producer and composer and hopes to one day write soundtracks for movies or create contemporary music. Learning how to use the relevant software and equipment is ‘an important stepping stone to this’, she says.
Congratulations to Michelle on this fantastic achievement!