Performing Arts
Communicating with the Specialist Team
We look forward to partnering with you in 2023, and welcome your input:
Penelope Lang (Performing Arts) penelope.lang@education.vic.gov.au
Wominjeka!
First Call Funding
As part of our First Call Fund Partnership, 26 lucky students from Year one attended an exciting performance in the City of 'The Grumpiest Boy in the World'. This was a wonderful opportunity for students to listen to a live orchestra and experience Opera in a child friendly format. I look forward to offering more shows to our whole school next Semester.
Victorian State Schools Spectacular
If your child is in the VSSS (singer or dancer) can you please encourage them to continue rehearsing over the holidays using our Google classroom pages. I have noticed that some participants still have not joined their VSSS google classroom. It is an expectation that students are rehearsing at home as well as at school. Tickets have now gone on sale and I have attached booking details below. Please ensure these important dates are in your diary if they are not already:
VSSS Choir - Melbourne Town Hall rehearsal 1 - 19th July (9am to 3pm)
VSSS Choir - Melbourne Town Hall rehearsal 2 - 16th August (9am to 3pm)
VSSS Dance - Hub rehearsal Heathmont - 4th August (9.30am to 3.00pm)
Whole Cast technical rehearsal 1- John Cain Arena - 7th September (8.30am to 7.00pm)
Whole Cast technical rehearsal 2 - John Cain Arena - 8th September (8.00am to 6.00pm)
Performance Day/Night - 9th September (11.00am to 9.30pm with a short break between shows).
Please note that we will be attending the Melbourne Town Hall choir rehearsals on the train and each student will need to provide their own myki card. We will be using a bus for the other rehearsals. On the performance day (9th September) you will need to make your own way into John Cain Arena and your child will need to stay at the venue until the show ends at 9.30pm. We will arrange a small dinner break between the matinee and the evening show. More information will be provided in Term 3.
In the Performing Arts room:
Foundation:
The Foundation students finished off some of their end of term assessment tasks and were given the opportunity to play percussion instruments and consolidate their beat keeping skills. It has been great to watch their musicality and pitch matching skills steadily develop. We spent some time differentiating between high and low (pitch) and loud and soft (dynamics) and categorised different animals sounds based on these two elements. We played a game of 'facial expression charades' and had lots of fun guessing people's emotions. We are now working on changing the tone of our voice when we are 'acting' and incorporating small gestures that add extra meaning to our dramatic storytelling. They have continued to enjoy the improvised dance game 'Rock Star'.
Year 1/2:
The students in Year 1 have been learning about the instruments who live in the brass family. They went on 'An Orchestra Adventure' and learnt about how different brass instruments are made and played. We looked at the synopsis for 'The Grumpiest Boy in the World' and discussed some of the theatrical components of the show including lighting, staging and costume design. The Year 2 students played the glockenspiels and worked on keeping a steady beat whilst playing in a small ensemble. They incorporated a variety of rhythms including a musical rest and used their listening skills during a game of 'Rhythm Detective' and 'Rock Star'.
Year 3/4:
The students have been busy finishing off some end of term assessment tasks using unpitched percussion instruments and glockenspiels. It has been great to watch them use their listening skills and collaborate respectfully when working in small groups. We revisited the African welcome song 'Funge Alafia' and played along to the song in a five part percussion ensemble. This challenged the students to not only play in time to a steady beat but also to maintain their groups rhythmic pattern especially when sitting close to another instrument group playing a completely different rhythm. We listened to the Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody song, 'From Little Things Big Things Grow' and discussed the bravery of Indigenous man Vincent Lingiari and how he was a 'voice for generations'.
Year 5/6:
The students in Year 5/6 have spent the last couple of weeks presenting their 'Performing Arts Poster Projects'. We have seen some fabulous presentations on a variety of artists including Kate Miller-Heidke, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, Johnny Depp, Beyonce, Billie Eilish, Eminem, Maddie Ziegler and Dave Groll to name a few. Some students had clearly spent many hours working on their posters. It was great to see students speak confidently and clearly and use a variety of strategies to engage the audience such as dressing up, using props, quizzes and even some 'watermelon sugar'. You should feel very proud of your efforts. Students who have not completed their project will be expected to present in week one next term. Make sure you pop past the Performing Arts room to see them all on display.
Wishing you all a safe and special Winter holiday. I look forward to seeing you all very soon.
VSSS Ticketing FAQs
When is the 2023 Victorian State Schools Spectacular?
The 2023 Victorian State Schools Spectacular will be held on Saturday 9 September. The performance times are 1:00pm and 6:30pm.
Where is it held? John Cain Arena, Melbourne Park
How long is the performance?
The show is approximately 2hrs 45min (including a 30-minute interval).
Do I need a ticket? You need a ticket to attend. The performance is fully reserved, allocated seating. We recommend purchasing tickets as soon as possible to choose your seats.
When do tickets go on sale?
Tickets are on sale from 11am on Wednesday 7th June.
How much are tickets?
Adult: $40 Concession: $30 Child (U15): $20
(a $6.30 service fee per transaction applies on all purchases)
There is no ‘pre-sale’, and there is no codeword or special link required. Ticket prices have not increased in the past 10 years.
Where can I buy tickets?
Tickets are available through Ticketek: www.ticketek.com.au/spectacular or 132 849.
Ticketek is the ONLY genuine sales outlet.
Who is the show suitable for?
It is an all-ages event. However, the music can be loud for infants and toddlers.
Will there be a lockout? There will not be a lockout this year (but don’t be late!)
Where’s the best seat in the house?
As an arena performance, all seats offer full view of all the action. However, if you would like to be close to your loved one on stage, the following information (below) might be useful. USPS is Quadrant 4 for dance and Part 2 for choir.
What if I am deaf or hard of hearing?
Both VSSS performances are live Auslan interpreted. You need to use a particular LINK to book seats in the section where you'll be able to see the interpreters. (coming soon)
Mass Dance Seating Recommendations
It is suggested that the most suitable view of the respective quadrants will be from the following seating sections. These sections should be visible on the Ticketek seating map when patrons are making an online purchase.
Quadrant One (North West)
Sections 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 47, 48, 49, 50
Quadrant Two (South West)
Sections 18, 19, 17, 45, 46, 66, 67, 68
Quadrant Three (South East)
Sections 8, 9, 10, 31, 32, 56, 57, 58
Quadrant Four (North East)***THIS IS USPS***
Sections 7, 8, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 52, 53
Mass Choir Seating Recommendations
It is suggested that the most suitable view of the respective sections will be from the following seating sections. These sections should be visible on the Ticketek seating map when patrons are making an online purchase.
Part One
Section 9, 10, 31, 32, 33, 56, 57, 58
Part Two ***THIS IS USPS***
Section 17, 18, 44, 45, 46, 66, 67, 68
