Performing Arts - Music & Theatre
Head of Performing Arts & Instrumental Music - Carolyn Hernandez
Performing Arts in 2026
The College is planning another year of excellence in the Performing Arts. Students will have the opportunity to audition for musicals, learn an instrument/voice and join a band or orchestra. There will be multiple entries in the renown Generations in Jazz andthe Victorian Schools Music Festival. In the classroom, students from Prep to Year 12 will develop their skills in Dance, Drama and Music.
The Big Band started the year with a rehearsal morning on 30 January. Other ensembles commence this week and next week. Preparations for Music Camp, which runs from Thursday 12th – Saturday 14th February, are well underway. There are 115 campers looking forward to our time at Belgrave Heights.
2026 will be a year of performance at Overnewton Anglican Community College!
Important Announcement!
This morning there was a public announcement regarding this year’s musicals:
- The College Musical (Year 7- 12) is Oliver!
- The Year 5/6 Musical is Seussical.
There is an information session on Monday 9th February from 3:30 – 4:30pm in M18 for students interested in auditioning for Oliver!
Seussical rehearsals are held during the Year 5/6 Sport periods on Friday mornings.
Instrumental/Vocal lessons
It is not too late to enrol students in instrumental/vocal lessons.
Instruments taught:
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For families interested in having their child learn an instrument, please reach out via email or directly via the form below.
Parents are encouraged to view the below clip for enlightening information on the “brain benefits” of instrumental learning.
Instrumental Ensembles
For students who are learning an instrument there are many ensembles from which to choose. These music groups provide students with an opportunity to transfer and stretch skills as they meet the challenges of performing in a band or orchestra. If you are interested in inquiring about any of the ensembles below, contact the staff leader listed to check for vacancies and student suitability.
Ensemble | Rehearsal Day | Time | Room | Participants | Additional Information | Staff Leader |
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| Symphonic Band | Monday | 3:30-5:00 | S201 | Established brass, woodwind and percussion players | Auditioned ensemble | Jenny Going
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String Orchestra
| Friday | 7:30-8:55 | S201 | Established string students | Prue Jury
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Gravity Band
| Wednesday | 3:30-4:30 | S201 | Intermediate brass, woodwind and percussion players | Jenny Going
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| Big Band | Tuesday | 3:30 – 5:00 | S201 | Band instruments | Auditioned ensemble | George Katsikas |
Burrito Band - Year 6 students | Wednesday
| Lunchtime | S201 | Year 6 band instrumentalists
| Commences later in the term once basic skills have been developed | Jenny Going
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Thursday
| 8:15-8:55 | S201 | ||||
| String Fusion | Monday | 7:30-8:30 | S201 | Intermediate string students | Ally Broddle
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| Rock Band MS to SS | Monday
| 3:30-4:30 | YC Music rooms | Guitar, drums, bass, vocalists (Preference given to students learning at the College) | Numbers capped due to room availability | Greg Stone
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| Thursday | 3:30-4:30 | |||||
Jazz Band (Year 9) | Tuesday | Lunchtime | MU1 | Guitar, drums, bass, piano, vocalists | A new ensemble for 2026 | Stephen Hornby |
| Jazz Bands (SS) | Tuesday | 3:30-5:00 | S201 | Mainly Guitar, drums, bass and vocalists | Auditioned group | Stephen Hornby |
| Little Big Band (MS) | Wednesday | 8:00-8:50 | S208 | Jazz combo – wind, piano, bass students | Paul van Ross
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| Junior School Specific Ensembles | |||||
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Suzuki Strings | Wednesday | 8:00 – 8:40 | MU1 | String lessons for Preps and Year 1 | Students must be registered and start next week | Prue Jury |
Stringlings | Thursday | 8:00 – 8:40 | MU1 | Beginner JS violin, viola, cello and double bass players | For students learning a string instrument – students allocated according to skill level | Ally Broddle
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Junior Strings | Wednesday | 3:30-4:30 | MU1 | JS violin, viola, cello and double bass players | Prue Jury
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Orffestra | Tuesday | 8:00-8:40 | MU1 | Year 3-4s who learn an instrument and read music | Prue Jury
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