Performing Arts and Music

'All that Jazz'

Ringwood Secondary College is a truly unique community that fosters the talent and passion of the exceptional students and staff. This unique group of diverse individuals have been drawn together by a shared passion for musical theatre and performing arts education. It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to you our 2017 season of Chicago.

This production has been a real challenge for this year’s cast. Early in Term 1 we held auditions for Chicago and began learning the music/singing with our wonderful vocal coach and ex-student Stephen Amos. For the rest of the term, once a week for 3 hours after school the harmonies and lyrics were executed with precision. At a first glance the music may seem like a simple Broadway score, but this show has cleverly woven in some difficult time signatures and complex harmonies that have challenged the students to work beyond ability and achieve great results.

Term 2 saw the show come to life with scenes being blocked at lunch times and complex choreography being memorised.

During rehearsals, the cast have worked solidly and efficiently, breaking the ensemble into many smaller teams. The cast have worked together, made friendships across ages and have combined to form a strong and hardworking ensemble that has spent much time laughing and learning. The cast have approached rehearsals with enthusiasm and positively interacting with each other every step of the way. I congratulate each and every member of the cast on their enthusiasm and commitment to this iconic musical. I myself have learnt a great deal during the rehearsal process and I am most certainly proud of each and every cast member.

The 'Chicago' team has been a fantastic machine, I’m truly amazed at the amount of support we have here at RSC for this mammoth event!

As with any show teamwork is essential. This year Denise Rash, Karen Carden and their team of busy bees have had a mammoth task of costuming over 80 students and creating over 200 individual costumes, the Extra pArts team is such an essential and integral aspect of every production. The end result is spectacular and I congratulate all involved in the costume team and also Kayla Whitfield and the magical make-up team than bring our show to life.

Our three (yes three) talented ‘dancing dames’ have once again outdone themselves in the role of Choreographer. Their organisational skills are second to none. Gaynor, Kate and Jess have contributed so much of their time and effort making this production polished and highly efficient. This may just be the most choreography EVER in a RSC production!

An extra special thank you goes to an extra special person Corey Lucas-Evans, he has trained and organised the amazing Tech Crew who have completed tasks both big and small. They are the glue of this production and I thank each and every one of them.

Annmarie Stelfox has also been an integral part of Chicago, as Production Manager she has completed tasks both big and small and without her assistance and commitment I guarantee you would not be seeing a production tonight.

Another staple of the production family is Kevin Lewis, has been the work horse of this production. Together with Samantha Asbury and our dedicated Stage Crew they have built the incredibly safe monolith you see before you tonight.

I sincerely thank them for the literal blood sweat and tears that have gone into this set.

Last but not nearly least I would like to commend a staff members who is not new to the school but moving into a new role in the production this year. Kevin Bonnett has taken on the mammoth task of Musical Director, including assembling and conducting the Chicago orchestra, tonight you will be treated to the skill of many of our talented musicians. Kevin, along with the entire production team have worked tirelessly to achieve the most out of each and every rehearsal and I thank all involved for persevering and becoming very economical in the limited rehearsals that we had.

Our rehearsals have always been punctuated by laughter, a little bit of panic and much enjoyment. I thank all other students who have given up their free time and helped in any manner whether on stage or behind the scenes. I also offer thanks our RSC Staff and parents for their support in the lead-up and during production – many people have assisted us in numerous ways and it has been much appreciated.

Our Photographers:

A very special thanks to our team of parent photographers that assist each year.

John Nichol has taken shots of the cast for approx. 8 years and this year marks the end of the family connection with the College with their last student finishing Yr 12.

Peter King from Burst Creative, 

Karen Carden, Fiona Cooke, and 

Gary Smith from Tr8photography have 

produced another amazing collection for the students to keep as a memory.

We hope you all enjoyed CHICAGO!

Karl McNamara

Director of Performing Arts

Music 

Congratulations to the following ensembles on their performances at the Victorian Schools Music Festival over the past week. The results to date are:

Symphonic Band, Gold Shield

Intermediate Concert Band, Silver Shield

Senior Choir, Silver Shield

Junior Choir, Bronze Shield

Best wishes to all four Stage Bands and Junior Concert Band for their performances over the next two weeks at the Victorian Schools Music Festival.

After much deliberation, we have decided to cancel the Almost Spring Concert and replace it with a series of lunchtime concerts, depending on hall availability in the week leading up to the ensembles’ performances at Ballarat. More information regarding these concerts will be available during this coming week.

Next week, Band Tour auditions will be held in the PAC. Those who have registered for the auditions please ensure you have placed your name on audition sheets in PAC. As mentioned in the event letter and email you have received, the following will be considered in the audition process: music to be prepared for audition, attendance of lessons, rehearsals and performances, as well as overall behaviour, plus intention to continue in 2018.

To celebrate all our achievements for 2017, don’t miss our Gala Concert at George Woods Performing Arts Centre at Yarra Valley Grammar, Thursday 21 September, 7.30pm.

Tickets will be available on Trybooking. Ticket costs are $19 Adult, $11 Concession and $42 family of four. Details regarding the event will be published soon.

Thank you to everyone for their wonderful work during this busy term.

Ms Janine Pero

Director of Music

RSC MUSIC ASSOCIATION FUND RAISER 

For a limited time, when you purchase an Entertainment Membership from us, you’ll receive a BONUS $10 Woolworths WISH eGift Card!

What a win!

The Ringwood Secondary College Music Association would love your help!!!

Hurry, stocks are limited.

PS. Just in case you're after a gift for Dad this Father's Day, there is also FREE DELIVERY for a limited time!