PERFORMING ARTS
OPERA DRESS REHEARSAL
On the cool Monday night of Monday 6 May, eleven students and two staff met at McKinnon Station to take the 6pm train to Flinders Street. After walking to the Athenaeum Theatre on Collins Street we sat with some other lucky invitees to watch the opera Lucia di Lammermoor.
For nine students this was their first opera, and for one student it was her first Western style opera. They were enthralled by this very different theatre style and at least one student was moved to tears. Past student Elena Xanthoudakis (yes, sister of our AV Director Nicholas Xanthoudakis and daughter of Lee Xanthoudakis, a past business manager of McKinnon Secondary College for many years) was playing the starring role of Lucia.
The plot was based on the book 'The Bride of Lammermoor' written in 1819 by Walter Scott and is a tormented love story where Lucia ends up going mad and stabs the husband she is forced to marry while still in her wedding dress - hence the interesting red stains in the photo!
Elena sang superbly and our very own staff member Ms Tania Kaev was a part of the chorus and displayed superb vocals during the performance. The orchestra supported the vocalists, not to overpower them. They performed with precision and accuracy capturing the drama, tension and beauty of the music.
We were extremely lucky to be invited to see this opera at no more cost than a MYKI fare.
It was a great night for all invited. Jodie Silberthau (graduating class of 23), a classical voice student at university, attended the event with her sister Jess Silberthau (Year 10). She enjoyed it very much!
Thanks to Dmitry Serebrianik for accompanying us on the excursion.
Ms Blanka West
Music Teacher
THEATRE STUDIES
The Year 11 Theatre Studies class were lucky enough to experience a workshop from the Bell Shakespeare Theatre Company on Thursday 9 May.
Working towards their performance night and looking at the text A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakepseare, the Year 11 class were able to workshop, ask questions and practise their Iambic Pentameter around the professionals.
It was a wonderful experience and we are thankful for the opportunity. A big Thank you to Bell Shakespeare for the wonderful workshop and for also supplying free tickets to see their professional production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
Ellie Adler
Performing Arts Teacher
STRINGFEST
On Thursday 17 May, McKinnon Secondary College hosted the region's Stringfest event. Forty McKinnon string players in Years 7 to 9 gathered with 130 students from 11 schools across Melbourne for this incredible event to create and rehearse beautiful music. Stringfest, a beloved annual event, is something strongly suggested to all string players. It allowed us to actively participate and gain valuable knowledge. We sincerely appreciate the opportunity to learn and grow alongside our colleagues.
Special thanks to our guest conductor for the day, Amberley Bremner. We played and recorded five engaging compositions under her direction, as well as experimented with different techniques to convey various genres. We made new acquaintances and relationships with students from different schools. It turned out to be a valuable experience for learning new approaches and concepts. We began by considering several features of the pieces, as well as the composer's motivations for creating them.
I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the committed string teachers, notably Mrs Bugeja and Mrs Mead, for their persistent support and commitment in coordinating our participation in this wonderful event.
Mansi Kashyap
Year 9 Violin student
UPCOMING PERFORMANCE DATES
- Tuesday 28 May - Vocal Masterclass with Elena Xanthoudakis
- Thursday 30 May - General Assembly (East Campus) Keenan Strings
- Wednesday 26 June - Junior Concert
Ben Browne
Acting Head of Performing Arts