Performing Arts Term Two Round-Up

It’s been a massive term for the Performing Arts Domain, with both the Classroom and Instrumental Music teams hard at work hosting a broad range of events, providing opportunities to showcase student work and allow students to take their learning outside of the classroom.  

Six of our senior students were afforded the unique opportunity to go behind-the-scenes during Opera Australia’s recent production of La Traviata at the Regent Theatre. After a private tour the set and backstage, they were able to shadow members of the stage management team for the performance and learn aspects of the craft directly from working professionals. This unique learning experience provided students invaluable knowledge and skill which can be immediately implemented into their work in VCE Performing Arts subjects and the school production. 

The first of our Instrumental Music Soirées was hosted by the String team, to an audience of family and friends. The evening’s program featured a number of solo and small ensemble string performances, showcasing the broad range of talent from the department’s current string students. Many thanks to the String teachers for their organisation and running of the event.

Next to be staged in the Performance Centre, was the VCE Theatre Studies production of Sorry, Wrong Number. Forming a significant part of the VCE Theatre Studies course, the production was entirely student-led, with students acting and directing, as well as designing and creating all of the set, props, costumes, sound and lighting. In addition to an evening performance for family and friends, the class hosted a special matinee for the Year 10 Music and Theatre classes, followed by a Q&A session.

This term also saw the return of the Mid-Year Concert at the Clocktower Centre. The evening showcased the best of what the Instrumental Music program offers, with performances from thirteen of our instrumental ensembles ranging from orchestras and concert bands, to small chamber ensembles and student-directed ensembles. The evening wasn’t just a showcase of the musicians on stage, but also involved a crew of students keeping things running smoothly behind the scenes, and designing the program art, whilst MCs Cami Luu and Jo White lead the evening beautifully. Next term’s End-of-Year Concert will feature even more ensembles, with our Year 7s making their stage debuts. 

As part of their unit on World Music, Year 7 Music students participated in an African Drumming incursion with Asanti Dance Theatre. Here students had the opportunity to hear traditional music from West Africa, as well as learn traditional rhythms while playing the djembe, a traditional drum – skills they would draw on later in the term composing and performing an African-inspired work in small groups for their World Music CAT. 

Term 3 is already shaping up to be even bigger, with the staging of this year’s Musical Production Freaky Friday at Clocktower Centre, the VCE Theatre Studies Unit 4 Monologue evening, End-of-Year Concert, interschool string and voice days, ensemble performances for our local primary schools as well as a number of other soirées.   

Cameron McCormick