Performing Arts

Music

Senior Music Night: Beyond the Score

The halls were alive with the sound of music this week as Senior Music Night: Beyond the Score celebrated the creativity, passion and artistry of our Senior Music students. A rich and varied program of live performances represented the culmination of many hours of dedicated practice, rehearsal and musical refinement, inviting the audience to look beyond the notes on the page and appreciate the discipline, interpretation and expressive artistry of our soloists and ensembles. 

Among the many memorable moments of the evening was a beautifully delicate performance by Nancy K, Year 10, who presented Song of Dongting Lake on the guzheng, a traditional Chinese string instrument with a history spanning more than two thousand years. Nancy demonstrated remarkable poise and sensitivity, filling the space with the guzheng’s distinctive, resonant sound and offering the audience a captivating glimpse into its rich musical tradition. We congratulate Nancy on her selection as a support act for the upcoming Catholic Schools’ Music Festival on 23 September.

Music Captain Holly W, Year 12, delivered a compelling performance of Cyrille Aimée’s Nuit Blanche, captivating the audience with her sophisticated jazz characterisation and expressive vocal storytelling. The evening also showcased the considerable talents of our solo pianists, with Elisa F, Year 12, bringing elegance and sensitivity to Chopin’s Waltz in C-sharp Minor, while Faith T effortlessly captured the rhythmic vitality and distinctive character of Ernesto Nazareth’s Odeon.

Instrumental ensemble work was showcased by the Strings Ensemble, directed by Ms Danika Hecht. For several students, Senior Music Night marked their first opportunity to perform publicly on their instrument, and they rose admirably to the occasion. The bold, assertive energy of Neridah Oostenbroek’s Stompin’ gave way to the driving rhythms and dramatic sweep of Kirt Mosier’s Tango Tracionero, demonstrating both the versatility of the ensemble and the growing confidence of its young musicians. Similarly, the Stage Band - which provides a pathway for extension through the concert band program - enthusiastically performed the iconic jazz classic Jazz Police before slowing the tempo with My Funny Valentine. Following their successful performance earlier this term at the ABODA Band and Orchestra Festival, our Senior Concert Band performed the energetic number Blinding Lights followed by It Casts Its Eye Gently Upon Us. These contrasting pieces revealed the band’s versatility and dynamic range. 

Several solo performances on the night also reflected the opportunities available to Loreto students to extend their musicianship through the academic study of Music. Members of the 2026 SACE Music class presented major works from their AT2 Solo Performance assessment, bringing the refinement of the classroom and rehearsal studio to the concert stage. Olivia B delivered a memorable rendition of Autumn by Boston-based band Couch, while Ophelia C brought her own expressive interpretation to Thirsty Merc’s My Completeness. Together, these performances demonstrated the musical independence, technical accomplishment and interpretive understanding developed through Senior Music study.

Vocal performance was celebrated throughout the evening, with the Senior Choir bringing together students from Years 7–12 in a vibrant performance of I Found What I’ve Been Looking For. Under the direction of Vocal Director Ms Stacey Theel and Ms Elicia Baldwin, the members of Senior Vocal Ensembles 1, 2 and 3 demonstrated the richness and assurance that emerge when individual voices unite in ensemble. Quintet 1 delivered a stunning rendition of Desert Song by Saje, and One Step Ahead by Charles Singleton and Eddie Snyder (arr. Kerry Marsh).  The concert culminated in a spectacular finale as the Senior Choir joined the three Senior Vocal Ensembles for Human Nature, arranged by Stacey Theel, filling the performance space with layered harmony and providing a fittingly uplifting conclusion to the program.

Ultimately, Beyond the Score was about far more than the music written on the page. Every performance represented hours of quiet preparation: the repetition of a difficult passage, the refinement of an interpretation, the discipline of ensemble rehearsal and the courage required to step onto a stage and share one’s artistry with an audience. Beyond The Score offered a wonderful opportunity to celebrate not only what our students can perform, but the musicians they are becoming. In moving past the notes on the page, they reminded us that music finds its fullest expression when technical skill is transformed by imagination, confidence and genuine human connection.

Catholic Schools’ Music Festival

Join us on Wednesday, 23 September at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre as Loreto lights up the stage at the Catholic Schools’ Music Festival. Featuring our Year 6 cohort singing in the massed choir, this event is an integral part of the Performing Arts calendar.

Book your tickets here: https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=CSMFEST26

Spotlight on Co-curricular Staff

Our College is fortunate to have a strong network of co-curricular Performing Arts tutors who provide regular tutelage to students in a variety of disciplines. Over the coming months, we will spotlight these wonderful tutors who do so much for our community.

Danika Hecht

Danika Hecht is a dedicated piano and violin educator with a Bachelor of Music and over twelve years of performance and teaching experience. Throughout her career, Danika has taught students of all ages and abilities across private studio and school settings, creating engaging, supportive and inspiring learning environments.

For a number of years, Danika worked as a piano and violin educator with established music providers including Hallmark Music Studio and Piano Generation, whilst successfully running her own private teaching studio. She has guided many students through AMEB examinations and performance opportunities, with students progressing to further music studies, including university pathways.

Danika has also worked within public and private school music environments, providing personalised instrumental instruction. In addition to her individual instrumental teaching, she has extensive experience in ensemble direction and string education. She has conducted both Junior and Senior string ensembles, guiding students in developing ensemble skills. Danika has delivered Year 3 Strings Immersion Programs, introducing students to string instruments and establishing strong foundations in technique, musicianship and a lifelong appreciation for music. 

Passionate about nurturing an intrinsic love of music, Danika’s teaching approach on the violin combines strong technical foundations with creativity, expression and encouragement. She is committed to helping every student develop confidence as a musician and achieve their personal musical goals, whether they are beginning their journey, preparing for examinations or pursuing music at a higher level.

If your daughter is interested in learning the violin or viola, please let Ms Baldwin, Music Ensembles and Instrumental Coordinator, know that you are interested either by speaking with her directly or emailing elicia.baldwin@loreto.sa.edu.au or performingarts@loreto.sa.edu.au. 

Drama

Matilda – The Musical

Rehearsal Progress

Over recent weeks, our Matilda company has made tremendous progress, tackling Tim Minchin’s wonderfully intricate score and developing the precision and energy of the choreography under the expert eye of Miss Bec. They are beginning to discover the wit, heart and glorious eccentricity of Dennis Kelly’s characters.

It is in fact difficult to believe we are at the end of Week 8 of this term. Rehearsals can be an intense period of chrysalis: a time when ideas are tested, characters begin to emerge and individual contributions gradually coalesce into something much greater than the sum of their parts. 

Scenes that existed only on the page at the beginning of the process are now springing vividly to life with samba steps and Cockney accents (and more than a hint of Del Boy). The commitment, courage and growing confidence of our cast are increasingly evident. We have enjoyed chocolate cake amidst the challenges of four-hour calls on Sunday afternoons, and the camaraderie and joy in collaboration amongst this ensemble are palpable. 

There is still much work ahead, but the shape of our production is beginning to emerge from its chrysalis - and the butterfly it is becoming promises to be something rather special! 

Please enjoy these photos of our rehearsal process as it evolves. 

Matilda – The Musical

Cast and Crew Biographies: Amber S and Annie M

I am delighted to introduce two more of our Senior cast members, Amber S as The Escapologist and Annie M as Miss Honey. Both Year 10 students, Amber and Annie have been hard at work developing their characters and contributing strongly to rehearsals. 

Amber is new to musical theatre and is greatly looking forward to taking on her role, saying, 

‘I am thrilled to be taking on the role of the Escapologist, Miss Honey’s father, in Matilda - The Musical. As someone who has never performed in musical theatre before, this role is an exciting opportunity to explore a new form of storytelling. My background as a classically trained ballet dancer has given me a strong foundation in movement, expression and physical storytelling, which I hope to incorporate into my performance. The Escapologist is a fascinating character because of the contrast between his imaginative nature and the significance he holds within Miss Honey’s story. I am looking forward to exploring his larger-than-life personality and using movement and expression to capture the wonder and theatricality of his character. I hope to create a performance that feels both captivating and meaningful, while helping to bridge the Escapologist’s fantastical story with the reality surrounding Miss Honey.’

Annie Munjal is a seasoned young performer with a strong passion for music, dance and musical theatre. She currently trains in Ballet and Jazz at Vivienne Winter School of Ballet and has previously studied at ACPA. Her musical theatre training has also included classes with Theatre Bugs, Pelican Academy and Adelaide Youth Theatre. Annie has been singing for over five years, developing her vocal skills through both performing arts programs. She receives tuition from Stacey Theel at Loreto College. Alongside her vocal training, Annie is an accomplished instrumentalist, having completed Grade 5 AMEB Piano and Grade 3 AMEB Violin.

As a dedicated performer, Annie regularly participates in performance opportunities and competitions, including eisteddfods and Generations in Jazz. Her broad training across singing, dance, acting and music has allowed her to develop strong stage presence, versatility and confidence as a performer. Annie is committed to continuing her growth in the performing arts industry and enjoys every opportunity to learn, perform and share her love of the arts with audiences.

Annie says,

 ‘Playing Miss Honey is an incredible opportunity for me as a performer. I am looking forward to strengthening my bonds with my schoolmates, making new connections outside of the classroom and creating something special together. I am especially excited to bring such a kind and inspiring character to life on stage and be part of this wonderful production.’

Tickets for Matilda – The Musical will go on sale in Week 1 of Term 4. 

The performance season runs from Thursday 26 November - Saturday 28 November, nightly at 7pm in St Anne’s Performing Arts Centre, with a matinee on Saturday 28 November at 1pm. 

Paula Little

Director of Performing Arts