PERFORMING ARTS
All State Jazz Festival
Recently, I have felt so encouraged and inspired by our flourishing Music Department. On the 14th of May, the Jazz Band and the Small Vocal Ensemble participated in the All State Jazz Festival in St Leonard’s College. Although none of us placed in any of our divisions, both performances were absolutely amazing and exceeded our expectations. Special mention to Caleb Ng, who won an All-Star Band award, as well as Caleb Elbourne who won an All-Star Band award and an Honorary Soloist award! Watching the A level jazz bands also acted as huge inspiration for our Jazz Band to motivate them in continuing to improve and grow in their skills.
I am also super excited to see all the music ensembles record for the Ensembles Concert. I am so proud of how hard the ensembles have all worked to learn their songs and further develop their musical skills.
Despite all the challenges of COVID during the past term and the past couple of years, our music ensembles have managed to persevere and rebuild successfully, which can be seen through the astounding talent of all the students involved in our Music Department. I know that our music ensembles are extremely excited to get started on new and harder repertoire after the Ensembles Concert.
Roselyn Kho
2022 Music Captain
Calling All Parents!
We would like to invite all parents be part of the team that is helping behind the scenes for this year's production of "Singin' In The Rain"!
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated as so much of what we do is only possible because of help from parents.
The way in which parents assist with school events speaks volumes to the students, and we really value parents being part of this community.
Please note that any time spent assisting us with the Production is also counted towards Parent Participation Hours.
To find out about the ways in which to help, please follow this link: Parent Involvement - 2022 Production
Performing Arts Team
Year 6 Drama - STAGE COMBAT
During Semester One, our year six Drama students have been busy learning Stage Combat skills, and choreographing their own sword fighting routines. The students have had a wonderful time practising hits, falls and reactions. They have learnt about physicality, awareness of space, and how to put together a realistic looking routine without putting anyone in danger of getting actually hurt.
Once their routines were finalised, we staged them in a Pirate themed set, using real prop swords, and adding sound and lighting effects. The result looks fantastic! As is St Andrews tradition, the unit of work culminates in “The BIG FIGHT”, which involved all year six students performing their choreographed routines at the same time, staging a large battle scene. We’ve had great fun during this unit!
Karen Elbourne
Theatre Studies and Drama Teacher
Introducing Our New Music Tutors
Hamish Maudlin – GUITAR / BASS / UKULELE & Primary Worship Band
Hamish has been playing guitar for over 8 years, amassing heaps of performance experience. A St Andrews alumnus, Hamish was heavily involved in the school’s music department, playing in the jazz band, worship band and vocal ensembles. He is currently studying music at The University of Melbourne under the jazz and improvisation stream, there he has had the privilege to meet and learn from Herbie Hancock, James Morrison and Stephen Magnusson. Hamish is excited to be back at St Andrews and be a part of the school’s music department as the guitar teacher.
Terence Teow – FLUTE
Terence graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Bachelor of Music (Honours) and furthered his studies in the US at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music with a Master of Music. A native of Singapore, he was the principal flutist at the Singapore Armed Forces Central Band and has performed with many different ensembles which includes the Singapore Symphony Orchestra, Victorian Opera and Metropolitan Festival Orchestra. After relocating to Australia for his family, Terence has been a guest performer at various orchestras, bands and operas. He has maintained a successful teaching studio with students winning awards in several eisteddfods and competitions.
Terence has 2 kids and his wife also teaches violin at SACC. He enjoys baking in his free time.
Isaac Williams – BRASS
Isaac Williams is a trombonist who comes from a family of brass musicians connected to The Salvation Army. Originally taught trombone by his uncle at age 10, he went on to Camberwell High School where, with a keen interest, he learnt percussion/drums and euphonium as well.
Isaac is currently about to complete his final semester studying a Bachelor of Music, Classical Trombone at The University of Melbourne's Melbourne Conservatorium of Music in Southbank.
Isaac has experience performing in and leading a wide range of ensembles from large orchestras and wind bands to jazz and rock bands, as well as contemporary worship bands and chamber groups, such as brass quintets and trombone quartets. He is passionate about seeing young people enjoy the process of collaborating to make music.
Ensembles Virtual Concert
This semester, the St Andrews Music Ensembles Concert will be a pre-recorded, online event. This concert video will feature each of our music ensembles performing the songs that they have been working on this semester. Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions over the past few years, our Ensembles Concerts have had to be cancelled, which has been most disappointing for everyone. Performance experience is invaluable to the students, and we want to ensure that they will have the opportunity to showcase their skills for our college community.
Stay tuned for details on how and when to watch the Ensembles Virtual Concert in the coming weeks!
Michelle Perera
Performing Arts Administrator