Performing Arts 

Important Dates

March

Tue 12: POPA AGM

Wed 13: Voice Soiree

Thu 14: Staff Concert, $10

Tue 19: College Open Night

Wed 20: Piano Soiree

Thu 21: Brass Soiree, Woodwind Soiree

Mon 25: String Soiree

Wed 27: Guitar Soiree, Percussion Soiree

Production

Casting has now finished and we congratulate all students who participated in the audition process. Rehearsals have begun and we simply cannot wait to present Mamma Mia to you in August!

Instruments Wanted

Do you have an instrument lying around that is no longer being played? We are looking to acquire more instruments for our expanding program. Please email me with details.

Lesson Reminders

Lessons have now commenced for all students in our program and we welcome our new Year 7 students. Please remember:

Leaving/Returning to Class

If your Music Lesson is in the first half of a period, you should come straight to your Music lesson and when you go to class afterwards make sure that your classroom teacher marks you Present on the role. If your Music Lesson is in the second half of a period, we recommend reminding your teacher at the start of class that you will be leaving halfway through class.   Students should communicate with classroom teachers to ensure they know what they are missing in class and stay on top of class work.

Instruments

For most instruments, students should bring their instrument to school on the day of their lesson/ensemble and store it in the Instrument Store Room at the start of the day. They can retrieve their instrument for their lesson and return it afterwards.  At the end of the day they can collect their instrument to take home. Note: Instruments should be stored neatly on shelves and not left on the floor.

Performance Blacks

All students are required to wear the 'Performance Black Uniform' for certain performances.  This includes a black, long sleeve shirt (which is available to purchase from the Uniform Shop), black pants OR black skirt, black shoes (school shoes are fine), and black socks/stockings.  Events requiring Performance blacks will state this on Compass under the Dress Code for the event and your Instrumental Music teacher will be able to provide you with further information.

Ensembles

All students learning an Instrument in our program are also required to participate in at least one ensemble.  This helps students develop their performance and preparation skills, their confidence and their team work skills. Ensembles are a great way to apply the skills being developed in lessons.

Instrumental Music Contributions

Our program is heavily subsidised by the State Government and our College Council to help reduce the cost to parents.  Instrumental Music Contributions are compulsory costs for lessons and Instrument Hire.  These will appear as an Event on Compass with full payment, or commencement of payment plan, due on 17 March.  Please contact us if you require a tailored payment plan. 

Communication

Families can contact their Instrumental Music teachers directly via Compass with any questions about our program or lessons. Families are also welcome to contact our Performing Arts Administrator, Nicholetta Rigano, for any questions or issues about our program or assistance with payment plans: 

nri@wantirnacollege.vic.edu.au

Music Office: 9881 7149

Want to Learn an Instrument? Join our Program! Join the Fun!

There are still spots available for students of any year level who would like to begin learning an instrument or return to learning an instrument. Please follow this link to submit an Expression of Interest form HERE. 

We currently have the following spots available for students wishing to enrol:

• Clarinet
• Saxophone
• Trumpet
• French Horn
• Trombone*
• Euphonium
• Tuba*
• Viola

*Scholarship instruments (2yr commitment)

For other instruments students can be placed on a Waiting List. 

Once enrolled, payment will appear on your Compass portal at the end of February and payment must be received (or a payment plan commenced) by Sunday 17 March.

Attached is the Instrumental Music Handbook 2024 including the list of fees/contributions.

Staff Concert

Did you know all our Instrumental Music teachers are not only leaders in education but also actively performing musicians? 

Did you know that we also have many other talented Wantirna College staff who sing or play an instrument?

Our annual Staff Concert returns on Thu 14 March 7:30pm in the College Theatre.  This popular event raises money for our Performing Arts program and tickets are only $10 per person.

Tickets are available HERE from Trybooking. Refreshments provided by POPA will be available from 6:45pm in the Theatre Foyer.

Here are some photos from previous Staff Concerts: 

Parents of Performing Arts 

The parents of Parents of Performing Arts (POPA) Committee advocates, supports and encourages our program. Members are welcome to participate in any, or all, of the following ways:

Monthly meetings with the Leader of Performing Arts - A great way to keep up with what's happening in the program and be able to ask questions or contribute ideas. Meetings take place on Tuesdays at 7:30pm.

Front of House - You may not wish to join committee meetings but be willing to assist with greeting guests and selling refreshments Front of House at Theatre events.

Fundraising Activities - Raffles, Bunnings BBQ, Trivia Night (every 2 years).  

All parents (including dads!) with students in the Performing Arts program are invited to attend the POPA AGM on Tuesday 12 March, 7pm in the main staff room (beside the General Office) and to consider joining our committee or signing up to be on our helpers list. Participate as much or as little as you like.

This is a great way to stay involved in your child's schooling, meet other parents and keep up to date - and it's fun!

Daniel van Bergen

Leader of Performing Arts

dva@wantirnacollege.vic.edu.au