Performing Arts 

Important Dates

April

Tue 16: POPA Meeting 7:30pm

May

Sat 4: TRIVA NIGHT

Tue 7: POPA Meeting 7:30pm

Thu 9: NEVR Rehearsal 1

Mon 13: Showcase #1 Dance

Tue 14: Showcase #2 Ensemble

Wed 15: Showcase #3 Solo

Thu 16: Showcase #4 Contemporary

Wed 22: Wicked Excursion

Fri 24: NEVR Rehearsal 2

Mon 27-Tue 28: Unit 1 Theatre Production

Wed 29: NEVR Concert

Staff Concert

Our annual Staff Concert on Thu 14 March was another great success, with 15 performances by Wantirna College Staff, including Mark Orwin and surprise guest, Assistant Principal Natalie Manser.

Thank you to Principal Carrie Wallis for her wonderful introduction and to our Performing Arts Captains for MC-ing - they did a great job! Special thank you to Mr Andrew Lewis and the tech crew for sound and lighting - this was their first official event of the year and they did an admirable job, sometimes having to solve problems quickly on the fly.

This popular event raises money for our Performing Arts program each year and we wish to thank the Wantirna Community for their continued support and for attending.

Term 1 Soirees

With such a short term, there have been quite a few nerves amongst our students in the lead up to our Soirees - and not just from our new Year 7's, many of whom only had a few lessons before their first appearance in front of a live audience!

As a wholistic program that aims to develop performance skills and confidence along with instrument playing skills, the Term 1 Soirees are a great way for students to practice getting up in front of an audience. It helps to build confidence and give students the tools they need to overcome nerves.  Our Term 1 Soirees are informal events with friendly audiences so students can have a crack at showing what they are learning - even the Senior students are learning new pieces!  It's always fantastic to see the improved levels of polish and confidence by the end of the year.

Teachers and audiences have had very positive feedback about the performances.

Performing Arts Captains

Congratulations to Charlotte Antonopoulos, Jeremy Coath, Logan Papenfuss & Kesiah Rawlings on their appointment as the 2024 Performing Arts Captains.  Earlier this month, they attended the POPA AGM to introduce themselves to our Committee and have already proven their mettle by MC-ing our Staff Concert and being great role models.

POPA Easter Raffle

Congratulations to the following lucky winners who have won prizes in this year's POPA Easter Raffle!  

1. Gorgeous Golden Easter Hamper – value $145: Barbara James
2. Bouncing Bunny Easter Hamper – value $100: Georgiana Papenfuss
3. Decadent Hot Drink Hamper – value $80: Donna Antonopoulos
4. Tea & Treats Hamper – value $60: Clare Fernandez
5. Cadbury Hamper – value $52: Marie Metherell
6. Chocolate Egg Bucket – value $45: Max Graham
7. Chocolate Egg Jar - $35: Maxine Delahunty

All winners are selected by Google random number generator. Thank you to everyone who participated in this fundraiser to support our Performing Arts department. Together, we raised over $1200!

We hope to see you at our TRIVIA NIGHT on 4th May - see next page to book your table!

The Parents of Performing Arts wish you a wonderful Easter holidays.

As we wrap up Term 1, I'd like to wish all our students a happy holidays. Please continue to practice, but also make sure you have a rest.  We look forward to seeing you all in Term.  

Daniel van Bergen

Leader of Performing Arts

dva@wantirnacollege.vic.edu.au

Australian National Bands Championships

This weekend, bands from all over Australia are participating in the National Bands Championships which, this year, are taking place in Adelaide.  We have several current and ex students and staff participating in the following bands, conducted by Danny van Bergen: Boorondara Brass Band, Booroondara Harmony Band, and Knox Wind Symphony. 

You can live stream the performances and the final results announcement here: www.brassbanned.com

This is a wonderful example of ways that you can continue to play and enjoy music within the community outside of school.