Performing Arts News
Fame Jr update
Set during the last years of New York City's celebrated High School for the Performing Arts in the early 1980s, Fame JR. is the bittersweet, but ultimately inspiring, story of a diverse group of student musicians, actors and dancers who commit to four years of gruelling artistic and academic work. With honesty, humour and insight, the show explores the issues that confront many young people today. With its topical subject manner and a cast that includes plenty of singers, dancers and instrumentalists, Fame JR. features high energy, contemporary 80s pop music (including the hit title song) and a moving coming of age story.
It’s nearly that time - GEC’s production of Fame Jr opens in just a few short weeks! After the success of our 2 day rehearsal camp in term 2, as well as previews at both the Semester 1 Gala Night and the Mid-Year Awards assemblies, things are really gearing up towards opening night of the show.
There are a large number of students and staff involved in all aspects of putting on this successful production. Tickets are on sale now online, so get in quick!
Instrumental Music Program update
Voice and piano
As some of you might already know, at the end of semester 1 our vocal and piano teacher Lachlan Mack made the decision to depart Glen Eira College, understandably for work a little closer to his home. Lachlan’s contributions to both the instrumental music programs and school productions over his 4 years at GEC have been acknowledged and greatly appreciated, including his work in setting up the college Acapella ensemble, and with his vocal and stage direction of the school production of Legally Blonde in 2015.
We welcome two new teachers in the instrumental music program this term;
- Ms Charlene Wijaya - piano
- Ms Victoria Wood - voice
Guitar lessons
There are a limited number of places for students interested in receiving guitar lessons as part of the GEC instrumental music program. For more information, or an enrolment form, please contact the General Office.
Radio Club
On Thursday 20th July, our GEC Radio Club members Izzy McFarland, Georgia Wood-Freeman and Ash Szmerling presented their morning breakfast radio show on 88.3 Southern FM radio station. We were also able to send an additional group of students along for a training session with our own Boris Pribil and Karl Bianco the station manager. Thank you to Mr Daniel Mulligan for accompanying and mentoring the students involved.
Radio Club gives a group of students from the college the opportunity to prepare, organise and then present their own hour-long radio show. A few times per term (usually once a month), the students meet early on a Thursday morning and make their way to North Brighton to present a morning breakfast radio show.
The radio show can include conversations and music, but it is up to the group to decide what they would like to present during their hour on air. After the radio show there is a debriefing at Cafe Whyte to discuss what went well and what could be improved for the next show.
If you are interested in participating in one of our next shows, contact Ms Baker-Goldsmith or come along to our weekly meetings on Tuesdays in the Room 1 (the new Music room). We will have 2-3 shows to present in term 4, so listen out between 8am and 9am to 88.3 Southern FM on Thursdays.
Semester 1 Gala Night
In the final week of term 2 on the 26th June, GEC instrumental music and performing arts programs showcased instrumental music students from Years 7-12 at our Semester 1 Gala Night.
There was a huge variety of performances from solo flute and small groups of beginning students, to large-scale guitar, strings, woodwind, vocal and percussion ensembles. The evening truly was a celebration of a busy semester of music.
During the evening there was also a presentation of certificates and music badges to the first students to complete the 20 Hour Practice Challenge, which is open to all instrumental music students. Well done to Emma Laird on the saxophone and Anika Dixit on the violin - keep up the good work!
Thank you to all of the Instrumental Music teachers who work tirelessly throughout the semester to help prepare students for this performance evening, and many other formal and informal performance opportunities throughout the year. We look forward to our semester 2 performance.
- Mr Lachlan Mack - voice and piano
- Mr Robert Westlake - guitar and bass
- Mr Mark Voogd - drums and percussion
- Mr Mark Dipnall - woodwind
- Ms Zamarah Morley - strings
Thank you also to all of the college staff who assisted with or otherwise attended the evening, particularly Mrs Sarah Mortimer for managing the stage and technical crews. Thank you also to our school councillors, parents and friends convenors, and family and friends for their attendance and support of the Performing Arts at GEC.
Victorian State Schools Spectacular
On Wednesday 19th July, an excited group of students and staff attended the Choir rehearsal at Melbourne Town Hall in the City - 16 in the Mass Choir with Ms Baker-Goldsmith and Mrs Mortimer, and 2 students (Estelle Lipovetsky and Sophie Rowsell) in the Performing Arts Unit auditioned choir.
We will be attending another rehearsal this month along with Mikki Clemans in the State Schools Orchestra. These major rehearsals (along with the many hours of additional rehearsals and practice sessions that all groups involved have undertaken) are preparing us for the 2 performances at Hisense Arena on Saturday 16th September, first at 1pm and then later at 6.30pm.
One in five state government schools is participating in this year’s State Schools Spectacular, including over 1200 school students in the Mass Choir.
General Admission tickets are still available if you would like to attend:
Adult – $40
Child under 15 – $20
Concession – $30
To purchase tickets, visit www.ticketek.com.au/spectacular or phone Ticketek on 132 849.
Laura Baker-Goldsmith
Head of Performing Arts
