Performing Arts

Term 1 Dates

Mon 16 Feb: Lessons start for new students

Wed 11 Mar: Piano Soiree

Tue 17 Mar: POPA AGM & Meeting

Thu 19 Mar: Woodwind Soiree

Tue 24 Mar: String Soiree

Thu 26 Mar: Brass Soiree

Mon 30 Mar: Guitar Soiree (Mooroop)

Tue 31 Mar: Voice Soiree

Wed 1 Apr: Percussion Soiree (MRR)

Staff Concert : moved to Term 2.

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Welcome back to all our returning Performing Arts students. And a big welcome to all our new Year 7 students! We hope you had a fun and restful summer break!

I'm delighted to announce our Performing Arts Captains for 2026:

• Dimitre Gosios

• Chloe Glaister

• Ivy Hale-Moore

• Jaiden Dollery

• Xavier Teo

We are confident they well represent the Wantirna College Performing Arts program very well at events and activities this year.

Matilda

Who else was completely taken by surprise?This year's clues proved to be as confounding as usual and our community was very surprised when the lights came up, to see Mr Lewis standing there in costume!  This year the big reveal of the 2026 Wantirna College Production was also broadcast Live on Facebook.   In case you missed it... 

Auditions are currently under way with students and it's been great seeing students practice to prepare for their dancing, singing and acting auditions.  Casting will be announced next week via Compass.

We can't wait to present Matilda to you in August! 

Instrumental Music

Instrumental Music lessons and ensembles began this week and enrolments for our new Year 7 students are under way, following another successful Instrument Trial Day in Week 1.

The Instrumental Music program is heavily subsidised by the Dept of Education and the College Council with parents required to pay only a small contribution towards the overall cost of participation.  Full payment or commencement of payment plan for this 'Instrumental Music Contribution' is due by 17 March 2025 and will be payable through Compass in coming days. 

Term 1 Soirees

All of our Instrumental Music students participate in our annual Soirees at the end of Term 1.  These are informal first performances, without any fan-fare, often in small groups and in front of a small friendly audience of parents. In almost all cases, students are performing music they have only just been given, with many new students only performing a small part or a few notes. Term 1 Soirees are an opportunity for students to gain confidence in front of an audience and share what they are working on with friends and family, and other students.  It is always astonishing to hear and see our students' confidence and skill level at the end of the year compared to the start of the year. 

Daniel van Bergen

Leader of Performing Arts

SAVE THE DATE - POPA AGM 

Tue 17 March, 7pm - 7:30pm

General Staff Room

Parents of students in the Performing Arts program are cordially invited to attend the Parents of Performing Arts (POPA) committee's annual AGM.  Parents will hear about the program's activities in 2025 and have the opportunity to join the committee for 2026. The AGM is followed by the March meeting from 7:30pm.

Joining POPA is a great way to stay informed and engaged in your child's learning in Performing Arts and parent contribution is always welcome. Keep an eye out for futher information in coming weeks. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

Nicholetta Rigano

Performing Arts Administrator

nri@wantirnacollege.vic.edu.au