PERFORMING ARTS
Year 9 TheatreSports Workshop
St Andrews' Year 9 TheatreSports class spent a wonderful day at Waverley Christian College, Narre Warren, participating in the annual CSEN TheatreSports Workshop day.
There were lots of students from other schools there also, and our students had plenty of opportunities to meet new people, and do different acting activities with them.
TheatreSports is a team competition, and our students tried out many of the games that will be used in the upcoming CSEN event. It was a fun day, and a great preparation for the different TheatreSports events planned for this year.
Karen Elbourne
Theatre Studies and Drama Teacher
Introducing St Andrews' Newest Instrumental Music Teachers
FLUTE TEACHER – Miss Alicia McGorlick
Alicia McGorlick is a Melbourne-based flautist and flute teacher with a passion for contemporary, traditional Japanese and French flute music. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music, Honours in Performance at the University of Melbourne, Alicia moved to Japan and taught English in a Day Care. Currently, Alicia is studying a Master of Teaching in Secondary Education with learning areas in Music and Japanese.
Particularly memorable performances include playing at her friend’s wedding, Sunday worship at her Melbourne-based church, Easter or Christmas services in Japan at church and playing for children at the Day Care as their first experience of live music! When she is not studying, teaching, or playing flute, you may find Alicia eating sushi, co-leading the local youth group, knitting, watching Japanese TV shows or doing yoga.
Throughout this year, Alicia’s goals are to perform as part of a piano flute duo and explore more music on the Shakuhachi, a bamboo Japanese flute. Alicia currently teaches Flute at St Andrews on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and hopes to continue challenging, growing and inspiring St Andrews students in finding their musical passions.
BRASS TEACHER – Mr Jayden Battey
Jayden is a brass specialist who is passionate about seeing students enjoy the gift of music as they create together. Having studied music performance at the James Morrison Academy of Music (Jazz) and Monash University (Western Classical), Jayden has learnt from and performed alongside musicians such as James Morrison, Mike Szabo (Melbourne Symphony Orchestra), Ross Irwin (The Cat Empire), Phil Stack (Thirsty Merc), the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, and the Idea of North. Jayden believes that studying music together provides one of the best opportunities to help students grow in their confidence, and to develop values such as humility, perseverance, resilience, creativity, and fun. Jaden currently teaches Brass at St Andrews on Mondays and Fridays, and when he is not at the College, he works with Servants Community Housing to provide safe, clean, affordable housing to those at risk of homelessness.
CSEN Music Showcase
We are so proud of the selected Training Band students that represented St Andrews at this year’s CSEN Music Showcase. We joined with 7 other Christian schools to rehearse and perform a variety of works that extended our students’ musical skills and gave them valuable experience to perform as part of a mass concert.
Our Training Band students are beginners, and were amongst the youngest students to participate in the Showcase. As our Training Band was unable to rehearse last year due to COVID-19, they had only two rehearsals together before joining with the other schools! An amazing effort by our talented youngsters.
Rachel Ranger
Primary Music Teacher
Year 12 Production
As part of their assessment for Unit 3, the Year 12 Theatre Studies class is presenting 'The 39 Steps: a Live Radio Play' in the first week of Term 2.
This thrilling murder mystery is based on the classic Alfred Hitchcock film about the unsuspecting Richard Hannay who finds himself embroiled in the dangerous world of espionage, desperately seeking to prove himself innocent of a crime he didn’t commit.
Performances will take place in the Drama Space on April 22nd and 23rd, and run for approximately one hour. Tickets are $10 for Adults and $5 for students.
Please be aware that this production features theatrical fog effects, and that some themes may be unsuitable for younger children.
Miss Kathryn Brown
VCE Theatre Studies Teacher
Where are they now?
Following on from the previous newsletter, the Performing Arts Department would like to showcase some past students who have been involved in drama/music at the College, and what they’re up to now. Here’s the next alumni interview with Alexander Visser, St Andrews 2019 Performing Arts Captain.
Name: Alexander Visser
Graduating Year: 2019
Which subjects did you undertake in VCE?
My VCE subjects included Further Mathematics, English, Informatics, Ancient History and Theatre Studies.
What are you up to since graduating from St Andrews?
Since finishing Year 12, I’ve taken up studying a double degree of Arts/Education at Monash University with a major in History. I’m hoping that I’ll be able to teach history to students in future and pass on the same passion I have for it. Other than my studies, I’ve also been spending my days fencing, working my casual job, and running a vocal group outside of school which I have thoroughly enjoyed. With the spare time I have, I’ve spent it making plans for the future, many of which are still “what ifs”, with the biggest plan being a trip to explore Europe with a few friends once the Covid situation settles down globally.
What part did Performing Arts play in your time at school?
During my years at St Andrews, I was initially fairly dismissive of the Performing Arts side of things, not really taking an interest as I never thought I’d be any good at it, as well as being incredibly scared of performing in front of others. However, with the help of some very good friends, I took a leap of faith and jumped straight into Theatre Studies in Year 11, becoming a student in St Andrews first Theatre Studies class. From there, I went on to join the 2018 production of Hot Mikado, absolutely loving being a part of it all. As 2019 drew nearer, I took yet another leap after talking with the previous Performing Arts Captain and my good friend, Jonathan Edwards, and successfully applied for the position of Performing Arts Captain for 2019. Over the space of a single year, I had rapidly fallen in love with theatre and found myself as Performing Arts Captain, encouraging and leading others to come and join what I now loved dearly. Performing Arts definitely became a huge part of my life after taking that first leap. It helped me gradually come out of my shell, to find confidence in myself, taught me to take risks, and gave me something to funnel my creativity into. It also gave me some incredible friendships with a range of people from a variety of classes and year levels that I likely wouldn’t have met had it not been for these opportunities, leading to the creation of bonds forged in the fires of theatrical nerdyness and in the sheer creative madness that came with Performing Arts.
How did you see God at work in the performing arts at SACC?
I could very clearly see God at work in Performing Arts. I could see it in the love shown by students to one another, through the growth of students in their confidence, through the joy and wonder each and every person had when doing something they absolutely adored. And all of this was done with biblical truth as the base, knowing that we are all “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). Just seeing students going out there and using the gifts and talents God had provided them, using that creativity and energy that God has given us was really a wonderful experience and really shone God’s light to those who were able to witness and take part in it.
What advice do you have to any current students who are considering getting involved in performing arts?
For those who are considering jumping into Performing Arts, I have one thing to say… DO. IT. Take that leap! Opportunities like the ones I got to experience in the Performing Arts sector don’t show up every day, and they are well worth your time. It’s a very different kind of experience, but one that I feel every student should try out at least once. It’ll help you grow, mature and become more confident in yourself, and hey, you don’t have to sit at a desk all day. Take a risk and do something different, you won’t regret it.