PERFORMING ARTS

WINTER CONCERT

All ensembles are rehearsing intensely to ensure that they are at an incredible standard for the upcoming Winter Concert on Wednesday 24 August. Students are reminded to keep an eye on the Newsfeed on Compass and on their schedule to ensure that they attend all rehearsals to make the night an absolute success.

This concert is a showcase of the work that the students in the core ensembles have been undertaking over the past eight months. Tickets are on sale directly through this link or through Monash University booking office. Students who are performing do not require a ticket.

Prices: 

• Adults $20
• Concession $15
• Family (2 Adults/2 Children) $60
• Group of 6 $81

PAST EVENTS

Vocal Night

Congratulations to the vocal students from the Main Campus who performed at the Vocal night on Tuesday 19 July in the Lecture Theatre. The standard of performance was exceptionally high throughout the night. Thank you to Blanka West for her work in preparing these students for their performances, as well as working with the Main Campus Choir and the Senior Singers. Thank you to the amazing Audio Visual team, led by Nick Xanthoudakis for allowing the kids to shine brilliantly.

General Assembly

Thank you to the amazing Senior Stage Band who performed at the first General Assembly for term 3 on Friday 26 July. It was wonderful to see and hear their outstanding work.  Congratulations to Jodie Silberthau (Year 11) for singing the National Anthem at the start of the assembly. Thank you to Dmitry Serebrianik for his ongoing work with this group.

VSMF

The Orchestra performed at the VSMF (Victorian State Music Festival) on the evening of Friday 26 July at the Hawthorn Town Hall. The standard of playing was very impressive across the section that the Orchestra were in, and we are delighted that the ensemble achieved a Silver placing for this event! Congratulations to Tracy Videon for her direction of this group, and for organising the excursion with Clare Bugeja.

Theatre Studies excursions

The Theatre Studies curriculum places strong emphasis on learning the skills of analysing and evaluating live theatre performance. It has been wonderful to be able to see all our scheduled performances this year! 

On Thursday 28 July, both the Year 11 and 12 classes went to the Malthouse Theatre to see the new adaptation of Looking for Alibrandi. 

Although the students don't have quite the same nostalgic connection to this text as their teachers do (and so didn't react as strongly to the 90s classics being played!), it was a beautiful sunny outing to a show that gave us lots to talk about. 

We were lucky enough to attend a Q&A with the cast and directors afterwards, which provided many insights into the development of the symbolic set design - many crates of tomatoes! - and the development of these iconic characters. 

In addition, the Year 12 students attended a day-long workshop run by Drama Victoria to assist them with preparing their Monologue Performance examinations. This vibrant workshop featured VCAA examiners providing top tips and running practical activities to help the students deeply understand both the requirements of the task and the details of their play. A valuable experience as we enter the pointy end of the year!

Lucy Angell

Theatre Studies teacher 

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES - TERM 3

• Wednesday 24 August - Winter Concert (performed at Monash University)
• Friday 9 September - Big Band Bash

LESSONS AND ENSEMBLES

A reminder that instrumental music lessons have now recommenced so please ensure that you watch the Compass schedules and emails for confirmation.

A reminder that all payments for instrument hire and lessons should be made through the Finance Office or on Compass.

Students who are learning an instrument at the school are required to be part of the core ensemble program, and again being part of the instrumental program is dependent on commitment and attendance at ensembles.

These ensembles are an integral part of the music program, where students can apply the musical skills that they have covered in their individual or small group lessons. All ensembles have now started rehearsing.

Core ensembles days and times

Main campus (Auditorium) 

• Wind Symphony - Tuesday after school (3:30 - 5pm) 
• Choir (vocal students 10-12) - Thursday lunchtime
• Orchestra - Thursday after school (3:30 - 5pm)

East campus (VG.1) 

• East Campus Choir (Vocal students Years 8 - 9) Monday lunchtime
• Keenan Strings - Monday after school (3:30 – 4:30pm)
• Ovenden Band - Wednesday after school (3:30 – 4:30pm)

All other ensembles are by invitation and/or audition only, and dependent on ongoing commitment to the core ensemble.

CLUBS

Guitar and Digital Club - Wednesday lunchtimes

Main Campus - A05

East Campus - VG.5

Drama Club Friday lunchtimes

Main Campus - Theatre (Year 7 Drama Club)

East Campus - VG.2

Megan Papworth

Head of Performing Arts