Visual Arts News

The Casey Creative Youth’s competition allowed students to submit an original artwork into one of three categories: visual arts, photography, or young people with disability visual arts/photography, in junior, intermediate, or senior divisions, allowing participants to express their passion for art. For each category there were four awards to be won. The encouragement award, two merit awards, and a first-place award. There were 200 entries submitted and 27 applicants received an award. The piece that I submitted was called ‘Sunset Pier’ which was a photo I took at the Dromana pier during golden hour. I was out on the pier taking photos and looked down at the pier and saw the perfect opportunity to take a photo that’s not usually captured by camera. I am very grateful to have received the encouragement award and for being recognised for my work. 😊

by Olivia Vizard, Year 12

Performing Arts News

Looking Ahead / Key Dates & Events

MDP – Year 12 Farewell Performance Evening | Term 4

T4Wk11 | Monday 11th December – 5:30pm |

Final farewell performances from MDP’s year 12s of 2023.

Production Week 2024

T3Wk6 | Monday 21st – 24th of August 2024 |

PERFORMING ARTS NEWS (MDP)

What a great way to round out the year in MDP!

There’s been so much happening in and out of the college with Music and it’s been so heart-warming to see the students flourish and thrive on and off stage.

EVENING OF EXCELLENCE

Our annal Evening of Excellence showcases the very top performers/artists in Music, Dance, Drama, Media and Visual Arts. The MDP students chosen for this even did us proud, showing their incredible skill and musicality to a full theatre. It was amazing to witness these students doing what they do best including some renditions of recently performed recital/exam works. The evening was, as always, very well received. Congratulations to the following MDP students who performed – Hannah Smith, Bella Marshall, Noah Cerrros, Gauri Singh, Paru Iyer, Nate Hughan, Jodicee Tenisio, Leihlajnee Pierre, Baran Kojesteh, Nidhi Rajesh, Nikita Anand and Charmie Ragu Charya.

ENSEMBLE CONCERT / MDP MVP AWARD

Our final Ensemble Concert for the year was a truly wonderful experience. The biggest event that MDP has hosted, the event took place at the Berwick Church of Christ and showcased all our brilliant college ensembles/bands. Top performing students

received awards for their excellence in ensembles and there was even a raffle full of amazing donations from generous parents and friends.

In a first for MDP, we awarded a student a Most Valuable Performer (MVP). Students were nominated by staff but ultimately voted on by the students in MDP. The MDP was required to have demonstrated outstanding effort in the following areas:

Impeccable attendance at rehearsals and ensemble/other performances.
Commitment to striving to be better at their instrument/craft.
Professionalism and positive behaviour during rehearsals/performances/excursions.
A positive and mature attitude towards their MDP commitments, practice and preparation.
A willingness to perform in multiple ensembles if, where required throughout the year.
A commitment to the performing arts overall, of which may include other forms of performance - community, production etc.
Offering mentoring/help for other music students without being asked or prompted and dropping everything to help out.
Demonstrating enthusiasm by being a constant, positive influence/role model when around other students and possessing the willingness to do tasks above and beyond for MDP or a staff member.

The MDP MVP award for 2023 went to Saskia Kirby (Year 11).

MASTERCLASS

In a bonus masterclass for the MDP cohort, the students were invited to come and watch Liz Violi and Amber Ferraro front a band of other staff and session musicians. The band performed a set of music that featured repertoire similar to that of being on a real gig – chilled and laid back listening at the start of the gig moving to party tunes. A particular focus was medleying songs together on the fly. This masterclass was very well received by the students and gave them a chance to see their teachers on instruments practicing what they preach!

STUDIO CONCERT SERIES / PRESENTATION NIGHT

Studio concerts are always very well attended and well received. It’s a chance for students to showcase the solo/group repertoire they’ve worked on in lessons and an in many cases, it’s an opportunity to demonstrate a new skill, throw it all out there and wear your heart on

your sleeve. The MDP students in 2023 have done just this and whilst the studio concert series might just seem like a ‘little performance’, they’re so much more. Students have demonstrated incredible growth – both musically and in their self-esteem – between these concerts taking place. Our Term 4 concert had some wonderful moments, and some students really went for it and tried newer, harder, and more challenging concepts/works. It was truly fantastic to see and I’m looking forward to more of these moments in 2024.

Coming up to round off the year is a Year 12 only celebration Studio Concert – a final chance for the graduating year 12 Music students to perform for each other in the theatre. So many students opted in for this performance opportunity – a telling sign that what we do here in MDP matters to the students and they love to perform! Finally, our Stage Band will perform at the Presentation Night – always a great evening and will also showcase the highest achievements of music students in the classroom.

2023 was amazing for MDP and we’re all looking forward to 2024. With over 76 new applications for MDP already – what a year it will be. A massive thanks to all the MDP staff, students and of course, parents.

Wishing everyone regards and a safe and happy new year / holiday break.

by Adrian Violi

Director of Music / MDP Coordinator

Community News

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