Music

Update | Performing Opportunity | Music Room Etiquette | Meet the Team!

Update from the Music Department

A Resonant Start to the Term

We are thrilled to announce a spectacular start to Term 3! Our music department is buzzing with energy, particularly with the next intake of our talented Year 7 cohort beginning voice lessons. Many of these emerging vocalists have begun their journey in the Voice Program under the expert tutelage of Lisa Maxwell-Cripps.

Lisa brings a wealth of professional experience to our school; beyond being an inspirational educator, she serves as the Director of the Backing Vocal Ensemble at the prestigious Victorian State School Spectacular. Students studying with Lisa are receiving world-class guidance, ensuring they are on the right track to vocal excellence.

Our very own Dominique R has also been slated to perform in this year's Victorian State School Spectacular as a Backing Vocalist! We are so proud of her achievement and are looking forward to a fantastic performance.

Arts Week Highlights

To launch Arts Week with a flourish, Monday featured a vibrant live performance on the landing outside the music office. Under a welcome break of winter sunshine, students Chloe, Axel, Todd, Ziv, Lola, and Ruby delivered captivating performances that transformed the lunchtime period into a celebration of melody and talent.

The festivities culminated on Friday with our Open Mic session. This inclusive event saw students from all year levels take to the stage, performing their favorite songs to a truly rapturous and supportive audience.

Save the Date: Voice Performance Night

As we look toward the conclusion of the term, we invite you to join us for our highly anticipated Voice Performance Night, held in PA 5 and 6 during the final week on Wednesday 16th September at 6pm. This signature event transforms our performance space into an intimate jazz cafe, complete with white linen tablecloths, fresh floral arrangements, and candlelight.

We warmly welcome parents and friends to enjoy an evening of vocal mastery. Guests will be treated to a delightful selection of choc-chip cookies, sweets, and savory snacks, complemented by tea, coffee, and gourmet hot chocolate. The students are working hard on their repertoire and can’t wait to see all of their friends and family enjoying a fun night and sharing a special connection through music and song.

Performing Opportunity

Cheltenham Secondary College students and families are invited to be part of an exciting and growing live music initiative that is creating real pathways from the classroom into the wider community.

Late last year, CSC's instrumental music coordinator and teacher, Adam Coad, received a Maribyrnong Council Love Your West grant, helping him bring to life a series of community-based music events designed to connect local artists, students, and audiences.

A key feature of these events is the Community Hour (5pm–6pm), which provides a relaxed and supportive environment for students, emerging artists, and community members to meet, share ideas, and connect with established musicians.

As part of this broader vision, we are now preparing for a very special event:

Where: Yarraville Social Hall Fundraiser

When: Monday 24 August; 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Where: Sun Theatre – The Grand, Yarraville

This unique concert will feature the Inner West Symphony Orchestra (IWSO) string section performing original works by local songwriters and composers, alongside the artists themselves. The concert is being held in the gorgeous Sun Theatre's 'The Grand'.

We are currently inviting submissions from students, staff, and the wider Cheltenham Secondary College community. Whether you are an experienced songwriter or just starting out, this is an incredible chance to be part of a collaborative, real-world music project.

Submissions are open now, and we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to share your voice, develop your craft, and connect with a wider creative community.

This initiative is about more than just performance, it’s about building confidence, fostering creativity, and creating real connections between school, industry, and community. We would love to see Cheltenham students represented in this exciting project.

*If you're interested in being involved, please email your song, brief description of your song, and short bio to: cod@cheltsec.vic.edu.au

For those interested in attending the event, tickets are $50, with all proceeds going towards a quality PA and sound treatment for the Yarraville Social Hall.

You can purchase tickets here: https://events.humanitix.com/yarraville-social-hall-fundraiser