Performing Arts News
Victorian State School Spectacular
Thousands of Victorian students are perfecting their dance moves, memorising their words and tuning their instruments as part of this year’s Victorian State Schools Spectacular, including the following GEC students:
PAU CHOIR
Yvette Lipovetsky 8C
Benjamin Matthews 10C
MASS CHOIR
Odelia Ashkar 7A
Nina Gibbs 7B
Alma-Mia Marret 7C
Ananaya Sreejith Chandroth 7D
Ola Aftanas 7G
Patrick Cruden 7G
Lihee Ashkar 8A
Orleanna Murray de Brossard 8B
Harriet Rowsell 8B
Rudi Hudson 8C
Diksha Padmakumar 8G
Alannah De Jesus 10
Gauri Gupta 10
Lottie Hudson 10
We had the first of our four Mass Choir rehearsals at Melbourne Town Hall on Wednesday 24th July. It was a great day out going through all of our repertoire in preparation for September.
The 2019 Victorian State Schools Spectacular: 'Made of Stars' will be staged at Melbourne Arena on Saturday 14 September 2019 (1.00 pm and 6.30 pm) – and filmed by Channel 7 for broadcast at a later date. Tickets are already on sale via Ticketek.
'Made of Stars' will present a galaxy of out-of-this-world performances by daredevil BMX riders and skaters, acrobats, circus artists, musicians, haka and hip-hop dancers. The three-hour show will feature the arrival of a spaceship with a visitor from another planet, a crew of sassy blue street urchins, and a tongue-in-cheek look at fashion and fame with a plethora of Anna Wintours and a sea of paparazzi.
While many talented Victorian students will be in the spotlight on-stage, other students will work behind the scenes, gaining unique, on-the-job experience in running a professional event.
Production Orchestra
If you arrived early to take your seat for one (or more!) of The Wizard of Oz performances you were lucky enough to be serenaded by the GEC Production Orchestra made up of students, staff and even a very talented parent. We played a number of film selections including music from Toy Story, Harry Potter, Star Wars and of course The Wizard of Oz. We also performed a feature length piece called “The Wizard of Oz meets The Wiz” medley.
We also continued a GEC music tradition with the Best In Band “BIB” award, which is like the Best On Ground or the Brownlow (only much more prestigious). Dominik Duszniak on the drum-kit was this year’s winner, and got to wear his incredible grey bib for our final performance on Thursday night (sorry Domi!).
Thanks to all of the students who were invited to be a part of this advanced ensemble along with our dedicated Instrumental Music staff - you all did a brilliant job, not only for giving your time to rehearse and perform, but also for putting in a tremendous amount of effort every single time you played. To acknowledge this fantastic contribution all band members were presented with a GEC Music badge that we hope they wear with pride.
Production Orchestra
Musical Directors – Mr Mark Dipnall / Ms Zamarah Morley / Ms Laura Baker-Goldsmith
Flute - Crystal Cao
Clarinet - Terry Sun and Mr Mark Dipnall
Violin - Jacinta Ide, Erin McNaughton, Natalie Peverell and Ms Zamarah Morley
Viola - Elly Berhang
Alto Sax - Harry Chen
Tenor Sax - Daniel Mijares Mendez
Bari Sax - Ms Laura Baker-Goldsmith
Trumpet - Oskar de Bruin, Leon de Bruin (parent) and Mr George Hronakis
Keyboard - Richard Shao
Piano - Ms Charlene Wijaya
Guitar - Yuda Ardianto
Bass Guitar - George de Bono
Drum Kit - Domi Duszniak
Percussion - So Kitamura and Mr Mark Voogd
Interested in learning a musical instrument?
There are a limited number of additional spaces in the College Instrumental Music program for Semester 2 for the following instruments:
- Brass - trumpet and trombone
- Drums
- Woodwind - flute, clarinet and saxophone
- Strings - violin, viola and cello
Instrumental Music lessons occur on a rotating timetable during class time. This minimises the chance of students missing the same class more than once a month. All students are expected to participate in at least one ensemble, with rehearsals occurring during lunchtime or after school. The semester levy is $200, which covers the costs of delivering the program including purchasing/maintaining instruments and equipment, photocopying and the like. There are also limited numbers of instruments available for hire from the college for $100 per semester.
For further information or to request a place in the Instrumental Music program, please contact Ms Laura Baker-Goldsmith (Head of Performing Arts) on 9571 7838 or lbg@gec.vic.edu.au
Upcoming Dates
Week 6: 21/8 VSSS Mass Choir Rehearsal 2
Week 7: 29/8 Gala Concert 6.30pm
Week 8: 4/9 Year 7 2020 Information Afternoon
Week 9: 12-13/9 VSSS rehearsals
14/9 VSSS performances at Melbourne Arena 1pm and 6.30pm