PERFORMING ARTS

Term 2 brings a busy and exciting season for our Performing Arts program, with community events, ensemble concerts, festivals, and theatre productions creating a vibrant atmosphere across the College. We are proud to showcase the skill and creativity of our students as they take to the stage throughout the term.

We are also pleased to share several staffing updates in the Music Department. We warmly welcome back Megan Papworth to classroom music at the East Campus after an extended absence; her wisdom, experience, and musical presence have been greatly missed. Ms Grace James will now be teaching percussion two days per week, as Mr Golovko reduces his teaching load, and we thank him for his continued contribution. We are delighted that Mr Nick Roney will also remain at McKinnon, conducting Senior Winds and teaching single reed at the East Campus for the remainder of the year.

PERFORMANCE HIGHLIGHTS AND ACTIVITIES

ANZAC DAY AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

On Saturday 25 April, McKinnon’s Senior Singers and Senior Brass attended the Bentleigh ANZAC Day service. Earlier, at the 23 April General Assembly, Malachy Carney (Year 12) performed a moving rendition of the Last Post on trumpet, setting a reflective tone for the commemorations. 

At the service, the choir presented an a cappella “We Are Australian,” featuring soloists Spencer Wu (Year 12), Jessica Sweeney (Year 12), Josh Golembo (Year 12), and Jane Wang (Year 10). The ensemble also performed “God Defend New Zealand,” with Sophie Yu (Year 12) singing in Māori. We thank Ms West, Ms Todd, and Mr Serebrianik for their guidance and organisation.

Lucy Green

Year 12 Student 

VICTORIAN STATE SCHOOLS SPECTACULAR REHEARSAL #1

On the first Tuesday of Term 2, our VSSS Mass Choir students travelled to Oakleigh South Primary School for a rehearsal day as part of the Victorian State Schools Spectacular. This large-scale event showcases the talents of government school students across Victoria, featuring dance, music, and vocal performances.

McKinnon's Year 7 choir students joined others from across the region to rehearse a lively and varied repertoire, including songs like The Greatest Show and Walk the Dinosaur. The day was both exciting and rewarding, giving students the opportunity to collaborate, build confidence, and experience the energy of a mass ensemble. For me, it was especially meaningful to return to my former primary school, reconnect with familiar faces, and see how much had changed. 

We want to thank Ms Laura Main and Ms Zoe Bartholomeusz for organising this amazing opportunity for us.

Saar Tadmore

Year 7 Student

GENERATIONS IN JAZZ: 1-3 MAY

McKinnon’s Senior Stage Band proudly returned to Generations in Jazz 2026, marking the College’s first appearance at the festival since 2017. Held on the first weekend of May, the event brought together 25 students representing McKinnon, performing a vibrant and challenging program that showcased their hard work, musical growth, and developing ensemble skills. 

Throughout the weekend, students were inspired by outstanding performances from leading groups, including the Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra and international funk legends Tower of Power. It was also a special highlight to see Ms Yael Marks performing in the Ensemble Directors Band. We sincerely thank Ms Main, Mr Rex, Ms Marks, and Mr Serebrianik for organising the trip and supporting us throughout the entire weekend.

SCI-FI STRING NIGHT - MONDAY 4 MAY

On Monday 4 May (be with you), the annual String Night was held in the East Gym, showcasing the outstanding talent of McKinnon’s string students. The evening featured performances from large string ensembles, extension groups, chamber ensembles, and VCE soloists. A highlight was the debut of McKinnon’s first Double Bass Quartet, an exciting addition to the program. With a sci-fi theme, the repertoire spanned iconic film scores such as Star Wars and ET, alongside imaginative musical journeys through space. 

Congratulations to all performers, and many thanks to Georgina Mead for her astonishing organisation of the event, the string staff for their preparation, and Josh Golembo for his piano accompaniment.

GIGS ON THE GREEN

Our first Gigs on the Green for the year was a fantastic showcase of the talented vocalists we have at the McKinnon Road campus, including our VCE music singers. Well done to Daniela Tapia Leal (Year 12), Shane Kravietz (Year 11), Siya Sahu (Year 7), Aria Daya (Year 12), Vivienne Bernstein (Year 11) and Sophie Yu (Year 12) for their lunchtime performance on the A1 stage on Wednesday 29 April. 

Students who are interested in performing for Gigs on the Green can contact Mr Lee or Mr Albanis. 

Mr Paschal Lee

Music Teacher

YEAR 12 THEATRE STUDIES - THE UNRAVELLING

Congratulations to the Year 12 Theatre Studies class on their production of The Unravelling by Fin Kennedy. Set in an east London fabric shop, the play follows the daughters challenged by their dying mother to weave the greatest story from scraps of cloth, competing for both the shop and the power to shape their own futures. 

The performance showcased impressive collaboration and was immersive from start to finish, reflecting the students’ creativity and dedication. We especially acknowledge their teacher, Ellie Adler, whose guidance, vision, and tireless commitment have been central to bringing this ambitious production to life.

We also thank Michael Birkett, Caleb Goldwaser, Andrew Krause, Nick Xanthoudakis, and Jacob Hollingsworth for their support.

INTO THE WOODS REHEARSALS COMMENCE

An exciting (and excited!) cast of 30 students from Years 7-10 have begun rehearsals for our first ‘mini musical’, Into The Woods Jr. 

Bringing together Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Cinderella and more, Sondheim’s wonderful musical offers lyrical challenges and complex characters, and our talented cast are already diving in with skill and diligence. 

Stay tuned for tickets going on sale later this term, with performances in Week 2 of Term 3. 

Ms Lucy Angell

Drama Teacher

UPCOMING EVENTS

Claremont Terrace Community Performance – VCE Music Students

VCE Music students will once again be heading to Claremont Terrace for a community performance on Monday 18 May. Students will present a varied program for residents, showcasing solo and small ensemble work they have been preparing in class.

This visit continues McKinnon’s long-standing relationship with Claremont Terrace and provides a real performance opportunity for our senior music students, while also giving back to the local community. 

We thank Ms Georgina Mead and the VCE Music teachers for organising this event and supporting our musicians in their preparation.

Stonnington Symphony presents Order, Elegance, Obsession, conducted by Lindsay Ryan in her debut with the orchestra. This thoughtfully curated program traces a journey from classical clarity to romantic intensity.

Bach’s Concerto for Oboe and Violin opens with graceful interplay and balance, followed by Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1, full of warmth, charm, and virtuosic flair. The concert culminates in Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, a powerful and imaginative work that pushes the boundaries of orchestral storytelling.

This promises to be an engaging and dynamic performance for all music lovers.

Tickets available here

Campus Concerts commence this term, showcasing the work students have been developing in rehearsals as they continue to hone their craft. With over 750 students involved in the Instrumental Music program, we are proud to present these performances across three major events.

The Senior Concert will take place on Tuesday 26 May, followed by the East Campus Concert on Thursday 11 June, featuring special guest performers from Willoughby Girls High School. The series concludes with the Junior Concert on Wednesday 24 June, highlighting the achievements of our younger musicians.

In addition, our VCE students will further refine their performance programs through the upcoming VCE Music Nights, an important opportunity to prepare for assessment and build confidence in a recital setting.

We warmly encourage families to attend these events and support our students. Please check Compass and the school calendar for further details.

Important notice about cheap instruments - ALDI etc

Please avoid buying band and orchestra instruments from supermarket specials such as ALDI’s current offers.

These instruments are often very low quality, can be hard to play in tune, and may stop working properly quite quickly. Many repair shops will not service them because they cannot guarantee the repair or source reliable spare parts. This can leave families stuck with an instrument that cannot be fixed and may discourage students when they do not sound as good as they should.

If you are interested in buying or renting an instrument, please contact your music teacher first so we can recommend suitable brands, shops, or hire options for your budget.

Dmitry Serebrianik

Learning Area Manager - Performing Arts