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 and the 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:

Acoustic guitar
Cello
Clarinet
Double Bass
Drumkit

Electric Bass
Electric Guitar
Euphonium
Flute
French Horn

Piano
Saxophone
Trumpet
Tuba
Viola

Violin
Voice
Theory

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
Symphonic Band	Monday	3:30-5:00	S201	Established brass, woodwind and percussion players	Auditioned ensemble	Jenny Going
String Orchestra	Friday	7:30-8:55	S201	Established string students		Prue Jury
Gravity Band	Wednesday	3:30-4:30	S201	Intermediate brass, woodwind and percussion players		Jenny Going
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
Burrito Band - Year 6 students	Thursday	8:15-8:55	S201	Year 6 band instrumentalists		Jenny Going
String Fusion	Monday	7:30-8:30	S201	Intermediate string students		Ally Broddle
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
Rock Band MS to SS	Thursday	3:30-4:30	YC Music rooms		Numbers capped due to room availability	Greg Stone
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

	Junior School Specific Ensembles
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
Junior Strings	Wednesday	3:30-4:30	MU1	JS violin, viola, cello and double bass players		Prue Jury
Orffestra	Tuesday	8:00-8:40	MU1	Year 3-4s who learn an instrument and read music		Prue Jury

From the Principal's Desk

College Principal - Emily FitzSimons

Welcome to 2026!