Performing Arts News
Gala Concert
Monday 3rd September was GEC’s Instrumental Music Gala Concert for 2018. The evening was a showcase of instrumental music student ensembles, small groups, duets and solos across the Woodwind, Strings, Guitar, Percussion, Vocal and Piano programs. This was a celebration of a big year of music at the College, with a diverse range of instruments and styles of music played by students from Years 7-11.
Ensembles that performed during the evening included the Year 7 Choir, the Percussion Ensemble, the Woodwind Trio, the Year 7 and 8 Violin Ensemble, the String Ensemble, Acapella, the Vocal Ensemble and finishing with the Guitar Ensemble.
Putting on a successful concert such as this one involves a lot of time, effort and expertise from many staff and students across the College. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the following contributions:
- our wonderful MCs for the evening; two of our accomplished Year 10 Vocal students Sophie Rowsell and Estelle Lipovetsky
- our instrumental music staff, for without them and their contribution the evening would not have been the success it was - Ms Tori Wood (Vocals), Mr Mark Dipnall (Woodwind), Ms Zamarah Morley (Strings), Mr Robert Westlake (Guitar and Bass), Ms Charlene Wijaya (Piano), Mr Mark Voogd (Drum-kit and Percussion)
- our Visual Arts Captain Sierra Danon and Ms Ann Butler from Admin for taking beautiful photos at many of our concerts this year (including this one!)
- Ms Penny Marks in Admin for her Trybooking prowess
- Antoine Hobbs of Year 10, as well as Bhrugu Patel and Edison MacLeod-Smith of Year 7 for providing technical support and running the sound and lights for the evening’s concert
- College staff and students who came along on the evening.
College Principal Mrs Kindler was in attendance and made a number of encouraging closing remarks about the high standard of performances on the night and the vibrant culture of performing arts within the school.
Most of all, thank you to all of the GEC instrumental music students for their hard work throughout the year, and to their families for supporting them on their journey as musicians.
Victorian State Schools Spectacular
The countdown is on! Only a few days left until this year’s Victorian State School Spectacular, where a number of talented GEC students (along with over 3000 other young performers from over 200 schools across Victoria) will captivate audiences with show-stopping vocals and high-energy dance routines in a brilliantly choreographed three-hour show. We have had the last of our Melbourne Town Hall Mass Choir rehearsals (see photos below), now we are headed to Melbourne Arena!
Featuring a 74-piece orchestra (including violinist Mikki Clemans from Year 10), 1300-voice choir, 1100 mass dancers, 33 lead vocalists, 16 principal dancers, 20 ensemble dancers, nine backing vocalists, a magician, a puppeteer and much more.
This year’s production ‘With The Beat’ explores ideas of belonging and identity. The journey of exploration will see Melbourne Arena (formerly Hisense Arena) transformed into a mystical Venetian masquerade ball and a wondrous Steam Punk Fairground in a cornucopia of new and old mixed together.
For the first time the VSSS Pasifika Choir will perform, and be joined on stage by a featured principal vocalist to perform the hit song, ‘How Far I’ll Go’ from the highly acclaimed movie Moana. Taking inspiration from the Grimm’s Brothers folk tale – The Goose Girl, a famous story of lost identity, will feature a puppet designed by Philip Millar of Creature Technology Company bringing another performing dimension to the stage, featuring our very own Sophie Rowsell from Year 10.
There is something for everyone’s musical taste; songs chosen for this year’s Spec include artists such as Vance Joy, Bruno Mars, Macklemore, Little Mix, Rhianna, Imagine Dragons, Sheppard, Tim Minchin and Beyonce.
With direction from internationally renowned industry professionals including Creative Director Neill Gladwin (Olympic and Paralympic Opening Ceremonies), Musical Director Chong Lim AM (John Farnham MD, Dancing With The Stars), Dance Director Deon Nuku, (Scooby Doo, Happy Feet, Moulin Rouge) and Associate Dance Director Yvette Lee, (Dancing with the Stars, X-Factor Australia, Australia’s Got Talent and So You Think You Can Dance) this show is a not-to-be missed event!
Two Shows Only - Saturday 15 September @ 1pm and 6.30pm (will also be recorded and shown on Channel 7 later this year).
Upcoming Performing Arts Dates
Term 3
Week 9
12/9 - Year 10 Cinema and Theatre Studies performance 6pm
13-14/9 - VSSS rehearsals (Melbourne Arena)
15/9 - VSSS performances x 2
Term 4
Week 2 & 3
Date TBC - Junior Bandfest (SEVR event – 1 year experience)
Week 4
Date TBC - Relay for Life performances
Week 6
15/11 - Strings/Voice/Piano Soiree
Week 11
18/12 - College Presentation Evening
Laura Baker-Goldsmith
Head of Performing Arts