Performing Arts Showcase - Semester 2

The second iteration of the University High School Performing Arts Showcase took place on the evening of Thursday, the 19th of October. As one of the organisers of the event alongside Kate O’Callaghan, Cameron McCormick, Melissa Goodger, Maddie Brown, Lena-Jean Lamshed, Ashleigh Robertson, & Ed Boyle from Performing Arts, it was thrilling to witness the creative development and artistic scope of the event transformed. The inclusion of clever and immersive set designs and props as well as engaging artistic work all resulted in significant “buy-in” from the wonderful student performers when it came time to shine on the stage.  

The Performing Arts Showcase is one of the many important artistic events on the UHS school calendar. Students in Year 9 & 10 Drama, Dance and Music work towards the showcase over the semester, creating, workshopping and rehearsing short pieces for a professional performance outcome in the Performance Centre. On the day, students are taken from class to participate in technical dress rehearsals and are excited to rehearse with stage lighting plots. The event is made possible by the Performing Arts domain ably assisted by the infamous UHS student crew. Below, Amy Li from Year 10 Music shares her thoughts on the experience of composing her own original jazz composition and the process from arranging it with other students and performing it at the showcase!

Throughout the entire preparation process, I was very enthusiastic because I’d waited for this moment the whole year – playing jazz on PAS! Composing and arranging was straightforward and fun since I already had experience of composing jazz music and I could be as creative as I liked. I enjoyed rehearsing with my group as we constantly tried out different ideas to improve our performance. When I was actually on stage, I didn’t feel as nervous as before and I fully enjoyed playing my own music. The 2023 Semester 2 Performing Arts Showcase was definitely my most fulfilling performance ever!

Thank you, Kate O’Callaghan, Cameron McCormick, Melissa Goodger, Matt Roche, Maddie Brown, Lena-Jean Lamshed, Ashleigh Robertson, Ed Boyle for all your hard work!

Matt Roche - Teacher of Music