PERFORMING ARTS

Welcome back to Term 3, an incredibly busy term for the Performing Arts department.

STAFFING CHANGES

Thank you to Bethyn Lewis for all her work in the string department since the start of the year. We will miss her enthusiasm and professionalism but wish her well in her endeavours. Stuart Cook will be returning to McKinnon Secondary College for the second half of 2024 teaching upper strings - East Campus on Mondays, and McKinnon Road Campus on Thursdays.

Thank you to Tania Kaev and Andrew Albanis who took my Years 8 and 9 classes for term 2 when I was on leave. Thank you to Ben Browne who stepped into my shoes as the Learning Area Manager over term 2. I highly appreciate the fact that I have a strong team that works brilliantly together.

We also welcome back Lucy Angell, although not directly involved with the Performing Arts department for semester 2, I know she will be working with us to help build capacity for the future.

FUTURE DATES

Please note that there are a large number of performances this term. Our major performance will be the Winter Concert - and you will receive direct communications from me regarding this in the next few weeks. This concert is a highlight for the Instrumental Music faculty, and we look forward to celebrating our music making with you at the Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University.

Please note these dates for the term:

VSMF (ISB performance) - 31 July 2024
Brass Night - 13 August 2024 (McKinnon Road Theatre)
VSMF (Orchestra performance) - 20 August 2024
VSMF (Keenan Strings performance) - 21 August 2024
Winter Concert - 28 August 2024 (Monash University - Robert Blackwood Hall)
VSMF (Wind Symphony performance) - 3 September 2024
VSMF (Ovenden Band performance) - 5 September 2024
Years 11 and 12 Music Night - 10 September 2024 (McKinnon Road Theatre)

Megan Papworth

Learning Area Manager - Performing Arts

BOROONDARA EISTEDDFOD

On Monday 17 June, Year 10 student Daniela Tapia Leal performed in the Boroondara Eisteddfod at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. 'Eisteddfod' is a Welsh word relating to festivals with ranked competitions which have dated back to the 12th century. Daniela competed singing the song 'Gorgeous' from the musical The Apple Tree written by Jerome Coopersmith, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick (the last two wrote the famous musical Fiddler On The Roof). The song has a Cinderella type of theme where the character is suddenly dressed up and made up into a beautiful looking woman. She catches her reflection and sings this song.

The section was Musical Theatre Solo 15-18 years and most students seemed to be closer to the 18 year age group, so it was great that Daniela received an Honourable Mention from the adjudicator. Congratulations Daniela!

Blanka West

Music Teacher

BRASS AND PERCUSSION WORKSHOP

Last Friday (19 July), McKinnon brass and percussion students enjoyed a visit from students and staff from the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music, University of Melbourne.

Both brass and percussion groups participated in workshops with the university students, discovering tips and tricks for improving performance, various practice strategies, and different ways to be involved in music into the future. Lunchtime concerts provided settings for all the musicians to share their music with highly appreciative audiences. For many McKinnon students, the opportunity to perform

amongst the university students was a highlight. It really demonstrated how quickly and beautifully music connects people of different age groups and backgrounds.

Thanks to Don Immel and the MCM brass students, Brent Miller and MYRIAD (MCM percussion ensemble), and all the McKinnon staff who facilitated the event.

Tracy Videon

Music Teacher

It was a memorable day filled with exciting performances and percussion ensemble workshops. McKinnon students played alongside MCM students; at times, it was hard to tell the difference; some of our students are accomplished musicians performing at a high standard. They displayed excellent stage presence and looked very professional. At the end of the day, MCM students delivered solid performances of all their repertoire, which was very inspiring. The event concluded with younger students asking questions.

Sergei Golovko

Music Teacher

VOCAL NIGHT

On Tuesday 23 July Vocal Night was held and was a tremendous success where McKinnon's voices were on vocal display.

With performances by our East Choir, Year 7 Singers', students from Year 8 through to Year 12 followed with solos, trios and an entertaining duet by Anthony Kostelac (Year 12) (dressed in grey as Horton the Elephant) and Dhaanvi Sharma (Year 10) (as Gertrude the blue bird, with a big blue feather tail courtesy of Ellie Adler). Effy Huang (Year 11) and Sophie Yu (Year 10) self-accompanied on guitar while Tilly Ashton-Rafferty (Year 10) played piano for her song.

There was a lot of expressive movement by some performers such as Lia Erlich (Year 9), Ji Ahn Lee (Year 11), Pie Zhou (Year 12) and Lucy Green (Year 10). Elvis Leung (Year 10) accompanied the McKinnon Choir well with Sasha Finn (Year 12) who played flute for the McKinnon Choir's rendition of a recently composed song: ‘Return To Me'.

The Senior Singers as usual did an amazing job with an a cappella four-part arrangement of 'Over the Rainbow' and the 'Found/Tonight' duet from Dear Evan Hansen/Hamilton (in 5-part harmony).

Thank you to our Audio-visual team, Itay Volnerman (Year 8), Ms Leah Humphrey, Ellie Adler, Lucy Angell, Tania Kaev, Clare Bugeja and Dmitry Serebrianik for their work.

Blanka West

Music Teacher

MSO WINTER GALA

I’m proud to sing with the Young Voices of Melbourne (YVM) and would like to share some recent exciting experiences. I’ve had so many brilliant opportunities with this choir since Year One, but this year has been a standout. So far this year we have performed for the Prime Minister and the 13 nation leaders of Southeast Asia at the ASEAN Summit and two concerts with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO). A most recent highlight has been performing Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and yidaki virtuoso, William Barton, performing Peter Sculthorpe’s Earth Cry to sold out audiences at Hamer Hall (4-6 July).

Rehearsing and performing with the MSO has given me insight into the world of elite musicianship that is so inspiring to me as a musician. Most people would recognise Orff’s ‘O Fortuna’ finale, which was thrilling to experience as a performer with the other 17 YVM singers, including Adele Finn (Year 11). Being amongst such powerful and beautiful sounds is something I will remember forever. I’m looking forward to another program with the MSO later this year, a special Holocaust memorial concert, and I’m beyond excited to think about our tour to Italy and Austria this time next year.

Zoe Kalanis

Year 8 Student

VICTORIAN SCHOOLS INSTRUMENTAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Victorian Schools Instrumental Championships (VSIC) is a solo performance event for instrumental music students from prep to Year 12. Across two weekends in October, 400 of Victoria's best young musicians will come together to showcase their talents, and compete for a state championship title in piano, strings, drums and guitar!

The goal is to provide an opportunity for students to gain performance experience, expert feedback, and inspiration in their music studies!

Please see the attached flyer for a few more links. If interested, please contact Ben Browne (brb@mckinnonsc.vic.edu.au)

Ben Browne

Music Teacher