Arts News (Music, Art,Media and Visual Arts)

Beginning Of Term 2 :

Media

The Wizard Of Oz

From Kansas to Oz: The Magic is Building!

The hallways of South Oakleigh College have been buzzing with a particular kind of magic lately as our 2026 production of The Wizard of Oz - Youth edition begins to take shape. With a cast and crew of over 50 dedicated students, the journey down the Yellow Brick Road is well underway, and the energy in the Performing Arts wing is nothing short of electric.

Bringing Munchkinland to Life

Our rehearsals have been a whirlwind of activity. From the iconic characters everyone knows and loves to the whimsical residents of Munchkinland, our performers have been working tirelessly to polish their lines, musical notes and choreography. We’ve seen incredible progress from our Wicked Witch and Toto’s, who are bringing a fantastic level of character and humor to the stage.

The Tech Crew

While the cast shines in the spotlight, a massive effort is now being called for the our technical and "behind the scenes" crew of this production. We are looking for people that can:

Set Design: Constructing and painting the flats that will transform our stage into the Emerald City.

Audio & Lighting: Setting up speakers, managing microphones, and designing the lighting and special effects that provide that Oz-inspired glow.

Stage Management: Coordinating complex scene transitions to ensure the show runs as smoothly as a pair of silver slippers.Please come next Wednesday 13th May lunchtime in the theatre for meeting.

A Community Effort

This production is more than just a musical; it is a collaborative spirit of South Oakleigh College. Our staff are working hard to make sure this is a great production. We are in talks with our local Bunnings store to have a sausage sizzle fundraiser, talking to local suppliers for sets and costumes.

Stay Tuned!

Keep an eye on the college newsletter and social media for upcoming announcements regarding ticket sales and performance dates. You won’t want to miss the chance to see our talented students bring this timeless classic to life!

The 2026 Production Team

Phillip Clark

Theatre Manager

Visual Arts

Seeing like an artist

There is something slightly daunting about staring at a masterpiece and being told, "now, you draw it."

This term, our Year 9 Art students did exactly that, stepping away from their own imaginations for a moment to look, really look, at the work of a famous painter.

The challenge wasn't just to "copy" a picture, but to deconstruct it. They weren't looking for the pretty colours, though it did come up a few times when selecting the right pencil colour, it wasn't about the famous names, students were looking for the "bones" of the image, the proportions, composition and tonal values.

These sketches are just the foundation. As we move into the next phase, students will be using these drawings to inform their own painted responses.

Next time you walk past the POPPI O'CONNOR gallery, take a look at the works on display. You’ll see some truly impressive work, proof that sometimes, to move forward with your own style, you first have to look back at the masters.

Renee Gross

VCE Visual Communications, Media and Design Technology Magazine and Gallery Facilitator - Student Leadership Staff Representative

Music News

Year 12 student Mali Cash has been published internationally! Mali's report on a series of concerts at the Palais Theatre was picked up by one of North America's biggest music sites, Hypebot.com. Mali's writing style was highly commended by the Editor-In-Chief and we're looking forward to seeing more of Mali's writing in the future. Congratulations Mali!

Ethel Cain's 4-Night Run in Melbourne Taught Me About Deep Fan Connection

A lesson on how to keep audiences coming back night after night, from an artist truly at the top of her game.

Apr 3, 2026

Ethel Cain (Hayden Silas Anhedönia) reconnected with Australian audiences this past February for the first time since 2023 with a sold-out four-night run at the Palais Theatre in St. Kilda. The quickly rising 28-year singer old brought her signature intimate atmosphere with her, despite the grand stage.

This tour celebrated Cains latest release, Willoughby Tucker, I’ll Always Love You. This album offers a prequel story to her previous release, Preacher's Daughter, in which the tragedy of her embodied character "Ethel Cain" began. Willoughby Tucker's narrative explores the darkest edges of youth — religious trauma, southern gothic horror, and generational abuse — with devastating depth and beautiful musical execution.

It's a story that connects deeply with her listeners and audiences globally. And that connection was on full display here in Australia.

Let's set the scene.

An on-stage wooden crucifix holds Cain’s microphone and helps to carry the storytelling embedded within Ethel Cain’s journey. Inorganic greenery covers the rest of the stage, creating a storybook feel in juxtaposition to, and yet also which embellishes, the weighty imagery of the macabre crucifix powerline.

The band brought a casual, dressed down look to the show, which sat in stark comparison to the poised, pretty, and occasionally pearlescent crowd fashion, some donning long church dresses or country style overalls, and lots of lace, ribbons, and big boots.

As a fan, dressing to reflect the narrative aesthetics of a specific album or artist has become a large part to going to concerts among the younger generations these days. Just like you’d expect to see lots of sequins and color at a Lady Gaga show, at Ethel Cain, there's a heavy "feminine darkness," contrasted with a "masculine country grit" that cradles the crowd.

Indeed, this was a more toned-down version of her set compared to her American and European tour set lists. It was mesmerizing nonetheless. Across the four shows, her sets features some of the same better-known songs from her discography and a lot of unique songs per evening. Her music is often dreamy and slow, emotionally drenched ballads, yet in a few more pop-oriented moments, Cain requested the crowd stand up and jump and sing; a request very willingly fulfilled.

During slower, melancholic numbers like "Janie," "Nettles," and "Willoughby’s Interlude," the emotional sway of bodies rocked the theatre, eyes teary everywhere. During dramatic indie rock songs like "Dust Bowl," the crowd sparked back into an electric mood. She even delighted the crowd with songs never officially released.

The singer became emotional performing "A House in Nebraska" on night 4, even loosening up some tears near the end of the song as the crowd provided their support, singing her through it.

Each night, Cain wrapped her mesmerizing, high-quality set by saying: "We haven’t been home in a long time. But even so, ya’ll know we gotta get a little country. So, with that being said, this one’s called 'Thoroughfare.'"

Let's talk about the fans.

Fans are central to the growth and arc of any performer’s career. They’re the other half of a performance environment — just as much a part of the show as the performer — only in a less active way. They draw meaning from lyrics and songs, and in turn create their own levels of meaning that can then be leveraged by the artist themselves.

A lesson on keeping fans coming back night after night.

From an audience's perspective, attending multiple concerts by the same artist in either the same city, or along with them on the road, is a way to dive deeper into their world. It can help bring different perspectives and layers into your fandom experience, and provide insights into their creative greatness and enhance appreciation.

Pricing, of course, is factor to consider. Buying tickets to multiple shows in the same city can become cost-prohibitive, but it's also a moral question. Attending multiple sold out shows might feel unfair to others that weren’t lucky enough to get tickets for a show at all. But in those instances when the opportunity arises, it’s worth it.

Support acts, too, play their part in the success of a show. A well-utilized support artist establishes the atmosphere of the event and builds anticipation towards a shared catharsis. Their performance hypes the crowd up before the main act, and in return they get an opportunity to grow their fan base and convert new listeners.

Amid all the noise and hype in today’s music scene, one thing is clear: building a personalized atmosphere and connecting with your community is key to creating a magnetic environment. Find your own way to do that, in your own style, and your audience will want to come back again and again.

More than ever, people around the world are being brought together by music. Why not make it yours?

Instrumental Music Newsletter Term 1

Get ready for an unforgettable night of music as South Oakleigh College proudly presents our Eras of Rock concert on Tuesday May 26. This highly anticipated event will showcase the incredible talent and hard work of our students, bringing together the vibrant sounds of all our outstanding ensembles.

Audiences will be treated to performances from our Concert Bands, Choir, Chamber Choir, Rock Bands, Jazz Band, Contemporary Ensemble, String Ensemble, and Pop Ensemble.

Make sure to book your tickets quickly - we always sell out! The concert is a celebration of our students’ dedication and passion, developed through countless rehearsals and their commitment to excellence.

Whether you’re a parent, friend, past student, or music enthusiast from the wider community, this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy an inspiring night of live performance in a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and join us in supporting the incredible young musicians of South Oakleigh College.

Tickets are available now at https://www.trybooking.com/DLTXB

Aidan Prewett

Head Of Music