Performing Arts

Songsters Do Christmas At Craigieburn

Our Primary Choir travelled to Craigieburn Central this week to entertain the shoppers with some Christmas Carols. Students also got to meet Santa and ride the Christmas Carousel. Thank you to Mr Scandrett, Ms Leonard, Ms Thomson and the students for the way they represented the College.

2020 Performance Season

With only a few days remaining this year, we have locked down the choices for major shows for next year.

Many will already be aware that the College Musical will be 'The Addams Family' which opens on Friday 24 July. The stage musical depicts the ghoulish American family with an affinity for all things macabre. Although numerous film and television adaptations of Addams' cartoons exist, this musical is the first stage show based on the characters. The story revolves around the daughter, Wednesday, who has fallen for the less-macabre Lucas, and the time comes for the two families to meet. An information session for those interested in auditioning will be held on Thursday 6 February, with auditions following a week later. Addams Family will be directed by Mr Michael Cooper, assisted by Mr Jevon Scandrett, with choreography from Ms Jacquelyne Armstrong and Musical Direction from Ms Robyn Cole.

On 14 and 15 May, we will open the Middle School Play. In 2020, Ms Jacquelyne Armstrong, will be directing a stage adaption of Rudyard Kipling’s, 'The Jungle Book'. The play tells the story of Mowgli, an orphaned human boy who, guided by his animal guardians, sets out on a journey of self-discovery while evading the threatening Shere Kahn, the Bengal Tiger. Students from Years 7-9 can join in the information session on Monday 10 February.

Two weeks later, our VCE Theatre Studies class will present an enchanting modern take on characters from Greek Mythology. Written in 2003, 'Eurydice' retells the myth of Orpheus from the perspective of Eurydice, his wife. The story focuses on Eurydice's choice to return to earth with Orpheus or to stay in the underworld perhaps in part because of her fear of re-entering the world of the living and perhaps as a result of her desire to remain in the land of the dead with her father.

Our College Play to be presented in October will be a stage adaptation of Joan Lindsay’s novel, 'Picnic At Hanging Rock'. Set in 1900, it is about a group of female students at an Australian girls' boarding school who vanish at Hanging Rock while on a Valentine's Day picnic, and the effects the disappearances have on the school and local community. First published in 1967, it is widely considered by critics to be one of the best Australian novels. Although the events depicted in the novel are entirely fictional, it is framed as though it is a true story. Its irresolute conclusion has sparked significant public, critical, and scholarly analysis, and the narrative has become a part of Australia's national folklore as a result. It will be directed by Ms Jacqueline Flood, and auditions will take place early in Term 3.

Apart from these four major shows, the Performing Arts Captains’ Concert will be held on 25 March, Winter Music Soiree on 10 June, followed by the inaugural Battle of the Bands on 11 June and the Emerging Performers Showcase on 17 June. Cumberland and Fairview Concerts will be staged in Term 3 and Term 4 respectively. While The Twilight Outdoor and Director’s Choice Gala Concerts will be held at the end of October.

Instrumental Music Enrolments

Many students have not returned their Music Enrolment forms for 2020, and so we are unable to engage the tutors for days next year. Please drop these into Reception as soon as possible, so we can negotiate availability with the tutors. If you leave it until next year, we cannot guarantee a place as many of the tutors also work at other schools. If you have not received a form or are interested in signing your child up for lessons for the first time, additional forms are available from the school office or online through My Aitken.

Mr Michael Cooper

Director of Performing Arts