Performing Arts

Aitken LIVE - Ensemble Music Concert

On Tuesday 31 May the Performing Arts Department held the first ever Aitken LIVE- Ensemble Music Concert. The concert showcased performances from the College's Instrumental Music Ensembles and featured a variety of different musical pieces and styles of music.

The concert was a success, with the community finally able to enjoy Aitken’s musical ensembles performing to a live audience. As this was a new concert and it had been close to two years since ensembles had performed to a live audience, students were nervous. Despite their nerves, the performance was a success and students performed well with direction from their Ensemble Directors.

For the students, the performance was the culmination of a semester of music lessons, practice and rehearsals. It was also an opportunity for students to put into practice the many skills and techniques they have learnt in their instrumental lessons with their Music Tutors.

For our Music Tutors, the concert was an opportunity to see their hard work and commitment to student learning demonstrated by their students in a live performance setting. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank them for the hard work, passion, energy and dedication they bring to our department and school community.

I’d also like to acknowledge the support from the College’s Head of Performing Arts, Elise Zijai, for this event and the technical and sound production support provided by Rezz Ufacikligil on the night. Music Tutors and the Year 11 and 12 VET students assisted backstage and Performing Arts Captains did a great job hosting.

Finally, congratulations to all students on their performances and continued commitment to their musical learning. 

Aitken LIVE will return again next year, bigger and noisier.

‘See you in the shed’.

Mr Glen Impey

Acting Music Coordinator

VCE PLAY- Chasing the Whale

Students in Year 12 Theatre Studies have completed their major performance assessment for Unit Three with the presentation of their production, Chasing The Whale by Matt Ryan. The ten students in the class commenced this project last November, when they started reading scripts before narrowing it down to this one. They then undertook all work related to getting the performance on stage. Apart from the six who acted on stage, students designed and built set/props, costumes, lighting, audio and make-up. Those not onstage took on technical and backstage roles ensuring the smooth running of the show. Just over 100 people were treated to the surrealist comedy about advertising executive Jerry, whose world is caving in around him. Congratulations to all involved and thank you to those who came along to support the students.

Theatre Studies: Theatre Styles- French Neo-Classical Theatre

The Year 11 Theatre class explore a number of styles across the year. Most recently they have been learning about the conventions relating to theatre of the 15th and 16th Centuries. It was a time of snuff boxes, poking fun at the class system, elaborate costumes and even more elaborate wigs. The five students in the class then prepared an excerpt from Don Juan by Moliere and performed it to a small group of Year 8/9 students.

MUSICAL ASSISTANCE

We are seeking a rather particular piece for the set of this year’s musical, We Will Rock You. We are hoping to find the back piece of a panel van or ute. It doesn’t matter how beaten up or rusted out it is. We may even dirty it up some more, with your permission. We could even just go a ute tray, but with a roof over it would be preferable.

If you have something similar to the pics below, please email mcooper@aitkencollege.edu.au, preferably with a pic of what you have, or if you know of one laying around in a paddock somewhere and I will be in touch.

Michael Cooper

Director of Community Engagement