Performing Art Update

APRA Workshop

On the 17th March, fourteen Ballarat High School Music students participated in a 2-day songwriting workshop with Producers & Mentors from APRA AMCOS. Over the two days they worked in four small groups to workshop & co-write an original song. 

The second day was spent recording and producing the song in our Recording Studios. This was a valuable experience for the students to see how professional artists and producers work and to develop their own songwriting and collaboration skills.

You can hear the finished songs on the link below:

https://soundcloud.com/user-75402374-1864898/sets/songmakers-2025

Piano/Woodwind Concert

On Wednesday 26th March our BHS Woodwind and Piano students took to the stage to present our Term One 2025 Recital. We had some students perform solos whilst others teamed up with mates to perform duets / trios / Quartets and we even put together a few massed woodwind pieces to finish off the concert. 

Thank you to Georgie and Favor for being the master of ceremonies for the night. It was lovely to see so many students coming off stage saying we want to do that again. Well done to all those students that took to the stage this Term. 

Eltham High School Visit: 

On Tuesday 25th March Eltham High School’s concert band joined forces with Ballarat High School’s Senior Concert Band to rehearse and workshop music. Eltham performed for our band and the appreciative period 4 audience before both bands combined and performed their joint pieces. 

Collaboration is the keystone of music and performance and it is always a joy to be part of it and witness the positive effect it has upon our students. 

Whiz Bang graces Clunes Booktown with their tunes:

On Sunday 22nd March, Whiz Bang closed the Clunes Booktown Festival mainstage with the final performance of the festival. 

It was a pearler of a day with the perfect weather for an outdoor gig. Being the final hours of the festival, many a booklover were happy to have a rest with their new book haul in hand. It was great to see many parents and friends of the band, as well as many Ballarat High Staff among the crowd tuning in and supporting. 

Kherington Ayken’s becomes our MTC Ambassador:

Congratulations to Kherington Ayken’s who has successfully gained a place in the 2025 Melbourne Theatre Company Youth Ambassadors program. This is a yearlong extension program that offers insight into the world of professional theatre. Once a month the Youth Ambassadors meet with Melbourne Theatre Company staff and artists to share their experiences of theatre with like-minded peers.

In 2025, Youth Ambassadors will attend eleven Melbourne Theatre Company productions at Southbank Theatre and Arts Centre Melbourne and meet a range of staff and artists for exclusive Q&A opportunities. Dinner is provided before each performance. Youth Ambassadors also take a leadership role which has two functions: to act as youth representatives within the Company, and to act as advocates for Melbourne Theatre Company within their school and social communities.

Here is what Kherington has to say after her first session: 

“If you had asked me this time last year what I’d be up to now, I certainly wouldn’t be saying taking longs drives and train rides down to Melbourne Theatre Company once a month. The people I’ve met through just one session I had on March 18th are some of the most amazing people as they are so diverse from what I see in Ballarat. Not only is being able to connect with people from all around the state an incredible experience, but being able to learn further about something I am so passionate about is very fulfilling. On March 18th, the Youth Ambassadors I am now part of, went to see the performance of Robot Dog, a touching performance based about being able to handle grief whilst diving into the world of Cantonese and Aboriginal culture. 

I’d definitely highly recommend reading the program of the show if you want to get into theatre, as the Youth Ambassadors were one of the last groups to get to see it live on stage. Being able to experience the world of theatre and drama outside the classroom as a Youth Ambassador has ticked a box off my bucket list, and I can’t wait to attend more sessions for the rest of the year! (Even if it means missing English every so often, sorry Ms. Rainsford!)”

Robot Dog Program:

https://www.mtc.com.au/discover-more/backstage/the-robot-dog-programme/

Performing Arts Staff