Performing Arts

Classrooms at Home

Thank you to all the Performing Arts staff for their efforts in continuing with student learning and engagement. In practical subjects like Media, Drama, Music, Theatre and Primary Performing Arts, keeping that engagement can be difficult. Staff are meeting weekly to support each other and the students in these unusual times.

Private Instrumental Lessons

Music lessons have continued via Zoom for Term 2 and although a different platform, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Thank you to our Music Tutors for the manner in which they have engaged with students.

 

Applications are now available to start private lessons in Term 3. Lessons may actually provide a nice distraction from classroom work and I know of many students who look forward to their lessons and seeing a different tutor for some one-on-one attention. Application forms need to be completed and submitted before Friday 5 June. Details and enrolment forms are available at:

https://myaitken.fireflycloud.net.au/music-lessons/enrolment-information

Please email music@aitkencollege.edu.au if you have further questions.

Ensembles

From Week 2 this term, we saw our various College Music Ensembles begin their usual weekly rehearsals. Although the format may have changed, the students are still able to engage with the repertoire and continue to build both their collaborative and musical skills. A huge thank you to our Music Tutors for all the effort and time they are putting in to ensure rehearsals are running successfully.

Virtual Play Reading

A small group of senior students have gathered together to present a semi-rehearsed reading of a play for the enjoyment of the College Community.

 

'Exit the King' is an absurdist comedy about the decline and death of King Berenger and the descent of his court and Kingdom, and indeed the world, into chaos. Sound familiar?

 

The heaters are not working, the sun will not rise, the throne room is filthy and there is a huge crack opening up in the wall. Queen Margueritte is preparing for the inevitable but Queen Marie refuses to accept that the time has come. The signs that the King is dying are unmistakeable, the kingdom is collapsing but Berenger refuses to acknowledge this.

 

The reading will take place on Zoom and all are welcome. There are a few adult themes so viewer discretion is advised, but it is certainly suitable for any Secondary school students and parents will enjoy it as well.

 

Please join us at 7.00pm on Monday 18 May by clicking on the link. We ask that audience members keep their camera and audio switched off until the end of the play when we will invite you back to have a chat with the cast. All welcome.

 

Anyone interested in being involved in future readings is invited to get in touch with Mr Cooper.

House Lip Sync Battle

The Performing Arts Captains’ will be hosting a 'House Lip Sync Battle' competition for students/families during lockdown on the evening of Monday 1 June from 7.00pm. You may have seen some of the videos on social media of families choreographing their own lip sync performance in their living room, kitchen, backyard or taking out their bins.

 

Over the next two weeks, individuals or families are invited to plan and film a 45 second clip of them singing/dancing/acting out a song and then submit it by Thursday 28 May. Hopefully there will be enough time to show them all but if needed, we may need to cut it down to some finalists.

 

Any student who arranges a video would be awarded 10 house points for participating, whether the video is shown or not. Extra points will be awarded for additional family members as well as bonus points for creativity (including duets with yourself, grandma who lives in Italy, costumes, props, telling a story, etc). Performing Arts Captains, Performing Arts Staff and the Head Of School team will then decide on a first/second/third place who would each receive additional house points.

 

To enter, complete the application form found here, save your completed video to OneDrive and share it to Mr Cooper.

 

Mr Michael Cooper

Director of Performing Arts