The Arts
CALYSTA MORGAN
Acting Head of Arts
On Tuesday 7th May, the VCD students from Units 1-4 had the delightful opportunity to visit the Top Designs Exhibition at the Melbourne Museum.
On this excursion, VCD students from different schools in Melbourne gathered in a forum where two excellent speakers talked to all the students. The first speaker talked about the different criteria of the folio presentations that the students must complete and how they should create a visual communication focused around their interests, for example, music, fashion, architecture, etc., and the students were required to take notes in the process. The second speaker talked about their love for comics, and showed the students how he uses the design process to create a unique and eye-catching visual communication that satisfies the need in a creative and innovative manner.
After this, the VCD students of Oakleigh Grammar were given an hour to look at all top performing students' folios from the state in 2018. We certainly were amazed at the diversity of ideas on display. It was a revelation to see that students could produce high-quality work in a short time span, and highlighted what can be done with strong determination and dedication. The Year 12 students studied the folios very carefully, gathering notes to inspire their own folio concepts in Unit 4.
We are very grateful to our teacher to have organised this wonderful learning experience, as it truly inspired us to work hard and aim high. You never know, our work could be in the next Top Designs. As our teacher always reminds us, with hard work, “anything is possible”.
By Cristina Giovanis and Eva Zhang, Yishuo
Year 11
ABC Program: Prep Open Day
Date: Monday, June 17th
Free 30 minute lesson for Prep students to experience the ABC program, for enrolments commencing in Semester 2.
ABC is a 16-week program - instruments studied are:
Keyboard
Piano
Clarinet
Recorder
3/4 Guitar
Ukulele
Percussion
Theory
Full reports are given at the end of the 16-week course, with a suggestion for what instrument might be most suitable for your child. All instruments and music are provided.
To take advantage of the free 30-minute trial lesson, please email mwrightsmusic@gmail.com the following details by Monday June 10th:
- Child’s first name, last name, and Prep class
- Parent’s name and mobile number
Marianne Wright
0409125464
Thanks to the generous assistance of the local Carnegie-Oakleigh RSL, on Wednesday 29th May our Year 9 Music students got to experience a taste of what it’s like to set up and perform in an unfamiliar live music venue. The RSL boasts a well-maintained 1920’s ‘dance hall’, with a full sound and light system and acoustics primed for a range of genres, and it regularly hosts tribute shows for bands such as Fleetwood Mac and INXS. Our students had to decide on repertoire, which included solo and group pieces, as well as original electronic compositions. They also had to plan for a huge range of gear to be quickly and safely transported, considering everything from small iPhone adaptors, to giant speakers and the world’s biggest mixing desk, as they had to be prepared to provide their own sound and light. All this was crammed into the school buses in rapid time, with many thanks to our hard-working and ever-helpful bus drivers as well!
Pleasantly impressed with the venue, students set up, sound checked, organised a set list, improvised, delegated, filled in dead air, cued lights, problem-solved and much more, all within a few hours. As well as a heightened sense of maturity showed by all present, it was fantastic to hear students praising their peers for newly discovered talents, such as Ben Wheeler’s impromptu and very professional light show, and Andrew Taplin’s showmanship and eclectic repertoire. Angelos Zois and Niko Vlanes worked tirelessly to set up the bulk of the equipment, and have also been spending lunchtimes developing pieces in our new ‘Music Box’ space. Both Angelos and Jordi Thompson again demonstrated their technical proficiency and ability to pick up music aurally, improvising at various points in addition to their rehearsed repertoire. Aimar Peoples has worked at adding bass guitar to his skill set, working both solo and in groups, and both Ben and the ever-helpful Paul Apos produced original electronic tracks for the event as well. Yixin (Ket) Liang has only been in the class for a matter of weeks, but has already started working on piano and guitar pieces whilst we potentially try and source a Guzheng for her to play.
This test performance was organised partially to prepare for the upcoming ‘LunchLunch’ gig, on Tuesday, 18th June. Both students from this music class, as well as the OG regulars Room 109, will be performing over both lunchtimes on that day, raising money for both Red Nose Day and the Arts @ Oakleigh Grammar (having seen what gear was in the RSL, the students would very much like to be able to use this sort of equipment regularly!). Students from JS upwards will be able to pre-purchase a range of food and drink to enjoy whilst the outdoor concert takes place on the Basketball court. Based on their RSL experience, the students have a better idea of how long it takes to set up for a live music event, and the kinds of planning they need to do to ensure it can be as successful as possible.
