Performing Arts
It is with a great deal of excitement that we began 2022 with onsite learning and Performing Arts students were once again able to participate fully in practical work and ‘performing’.
Students of all levels have begun working collaboratively on group and solo tasks in Dance, Drama and Music classes. Bands and Choirs are now in full swing preparing for upcoming events.
Theatre is back and our VCE Drama and Theatre Studies students will be able to experience the magic of live theatre productions throughout the year.
Congratulations to all our 2021, VCE Performing Arts students who achieved wonderful results despite the challenges presented over the last two years. Due to an excellent result in her Music Performance exam, Ellie Carter was invited to audition for Top Class Music, which was a great honour.
I am delighted to introduce our Performing Arts leaders, Jaz, Bliss and Isabelle who have many plans, goals and dreams for Performing Arts in 2022.
Keryn Holden
Learning Leader:
Performing Arts
Performing Arts Leaders
Jaz Brown
During my time at Kilbreda, I have participated in all College musicals, was a leader in KDC last year, participated in Peer Support and have involved myself in many school activities. I have been committed to all rehearsals after school for productions and classwork.
I try my best to give everything a go and will lead by example, encouraging my peers to do the same. I have built wonderful connections with people at school by being involved in Performing Arts programs.
Last year I completed Units 3 & 4 Drama and this year my subjects include Music, Dance and Theatre Studies. I absolutely love performing and would love to share my experience and enthusiasm with all students to help them be the best performers they can be.
I am excited to see what this year has to offer and alongside Bliss and Issy, will strive to make Performing Arts at Kilbreda an enjoyable experience and a safe space for all students to express themselves.
Isabelle La Prade
I have been involved in Performing Arts at Kilbreda since Year 7, participating in every College musical and playing lead roles in some of them. I have also contributed to many Performing Arts co-curricular activities including the Lip-Sync Battle in 2017, the Choir and more. Currently I am studying VCE Theatre Studies, having completed VCE Drama last year.
My goal for Performing Arts this year is to encourage students to express themselves and not feel shy to do so. I would also like to encourage students to continue in their studies of Performing Arts, whether that be Music, Dance or Drama.
This year we have many plans, including to bring back the Lip-Sync Battle as well as continuing the pop-up concerts from last year. We would also like to show students that you don’t have to perform on a stage with lighting and sound to be a performer. We also plan to start a club for people who would like to sing and express themselves without having to perform in front of people, this is going to be known as the 'Glee Club'!
I can’t wait for all the plans that we have for Performing Arts to commence and see what the future holds for Performing Arts at Kilbreda!
Bliss Pengilly
This year I am so excited to be one of the Performing Arts Leaders alongside Jaz and Issy. We have so much planned for the school year and can't wait to show everyone. One of our goals this year is to put on some pop-up performances around the College to showcase the amazing talent we have at Kilbreda!
I have been a part of the Performing Arts program since 2017, when I joined the Training Band playing the flute in Year 7. In 2020, I joined the St Bede’s Wind Symphonic Orchestra, but this was unfortunately cut short due to Covid. Now in 2022, I'm in Kilbreda’s Senior Orchestra playing the flute and guitar. I have not looked back since joining the Training Band and have made some lifelong friends along the way. This journey so far has been such an experience that I am now completing Unit 3/4 Music, in guitar.
Recently I have been offered the role of Stage Manager intern for our College Production, 'High School Musical Jr' with St Bede’s and I am thrilled to help bring this production to you in July. This will be my second production at Kilbreda that I have been involved in, as I was a dedicated backstage crew member of the incredible 'Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical' in 2021. That opportunity gave me an experience like no other, to build positive relationships with not only other students from the College and St Bede’s but also with teachers.
I highly recommend getting involved in Performing Arts wherever and whenever you can as you don't know what life will bring you. As for this year, I can't wait to see what 2022 brings us.
Unit 3 Theatre Studies - 'Fun Home'
On Tuesday 22 February, the Unit 3/4 Theatre Studies class ventured into the CBD to watch Melbourne Theatre Company's production of the musical 'Fun Home’ to prepare for the upcoming SAC. After making our way into the city, we made our way towards the Melbourne Arts Centre where the performance was held.
Once we arrived, we gathered in the foyer with other theatre students and performing arts lovers, with high energy and excitement we awaited the doors opening to find our seats. We were then welcomed into the audience space with a view of the incredible set which acted as the family home of the main character Alison - also known as the ‘Fun Home’.
As the performance progressed, we were amazed to see how the revolving set was used to create multiple different sides of the stage which represented different rooms and places, and even eras. We were transported back to the 70s as Alison looked back on her memories; seen through three different Alisons, small Alison, medium Alison and Alison.
Props and lighting were used effectively, and we were able to walk out at the end with plenty of things to discuss in our upcoming classes back at the College, from what may have been symbolic to how the actors helped in transforming the set rather than having the backstage team visible on stage.
The performance had many moments of both laughter and sadness but was an excellent choice of play to see for Theatre Studies and the night overall was a great experience.
Shannen Carty
Year 12
Year 10 and 11 Music
Our Music class is comprised of both Year 10 and Year 11 students, which allows us to have a more diverse band with instruments such as saxophone, guitar, keyboard, flute, percussion, and voice. Like any great band, our ensemble plays songs from different genres, whether it be pop or jazz classics.
Currently our class is rehearsing ‘Fly Me To The Moon’, ‘Havana’, and ‘Save Your Tears’. The various songs allow us all to be in the spotlight, no matter what instrument we play. Our range of songs also ensures that our vocalists have the chance to experiment with different singing techniques.
‘Fly Me To The Moon’ utilises all of our instruments and gives us the chance to experiment with a well-known song. Similarly, ‘Havana’ and ‘Save Your Tears’ are both very popular songs and our knowledge of these songs, means that we get to alternate between different melodies and versions of the songs.
While we rehearse together, our other lessons are split between music theory and private practice. In comparison to playing as a band, music theory sounds much less enticing, however, don’t be fooled! Music theory has allowed me to play different instruments and helped develop skills such as sight-singing and note reading, which I would never have explored otherwise.
We make excellent use of the private music rooms, which allows us to independently practice without disturbing one another. This private practice time is used primarily to rehearse our assessed solos, which we will perform later in the semester.
So, whether you’re into the theory aspect of music or the performance aspect, you always have the chance to shine in VCE Music!
Angelique Vargheese
Year 11
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