Performing Arts News

VSSS24

It has been an exciting couple of weeks in Performing Arts! 

Last Tuesday was our Spec Dance team’s second regional rehearsal, where they met with students from seven local schools to prepare six full dance routines for this year’s Victorian State Schools Spectacular. Despite the physical demands of four hours of concentration and active dancing, our students were wonderfully positive, respectful ambassadors for WPS. They even had the energy to celebrate a couple of student birthdays – and share cupcakes with our neighbouring schools. Many thanks to Deanna and Millie for being volunteer drivers.

The eighteen Year 5 & 6 students will continue to rehearse their routines both at home and at school before learning two more routines at the next regional at Mont Albert PS on Tuesday, June 4. 

Don’t forget to save the date for the two Spectacular performances at John Cain Arena on Saturday, September 14!

The Little Mermaid Jr

There was a happy buzz throughout our year 6 grades last week, as scene rehearsals for our whole school production, ‘The Little Mermaid Jr’ began. Sunday was the second of our weekend workshops, with a focus on songs involving solo singing. Thank you to Hayley for taking time away from her Bachelor of Music studies to volunteer her time to share her music performance skills with our lead cast. They learnt lots of fabulous tips and techniques to improve their singing, while having fun and gaining confidence along the way.

Harps a Breeze & Kaboom Percussion Incursions

Students from 3/4J, 4/5N, 5/6G and 5/6S recently enjoyed participating in an interactive harmonica incursion led by Chris Maunders from 'Harps a Breeze'. Chris, a "Tamworth Golden Harmonica" award winner and the first person in Australia to complete a Bachelor of Music on the harmonica (VCA, Melb Uni), shared his knowledge and passion for the harmonica, teaching skills in technique and reading music. Not only were the students able to play several simple tunes together by the end of the hour, but it was also lovely hearing them create music together outside at recess and lunchtime.Each student was given a Blues harmonica and a booklet to keep. The students have been encouraged to work through the melody booklet at home to further develop their skills before we re-visit playing the instrument during Performing Arts classes in Term 4. I’m hoping that some students will catch the Blues/Jazz bug, and you will get to hear them showcasing their harmonica-playing talents on stage at this year’s production!

Last Thursday, students in Prep, 1/2C, 1/2L and 2/3R further developed their understanding of tuned and untuned percussion by participating in the engaging “Kaboom Percussion” incursion. They were entertained and inspired by the dynamic demonstrations of music made using found objects, such as cups, rubbish bins, tins and pipes. After the incursion, we set up our own cup playing tables in Performing Arts class, and learnt how to read musical notation for both cup rhythms and body percussion. It was great fun!