Learning to a Higher Level - News from our Learning Area Leaders - Performance and Instrumental News

This past month has been extremely busy in the Performing Arts. Rooms at lunchtime have been alive with rehearsals for the many events taking place. Just in one month, students have been involved in the following activities:

*The College Feast Day Mass.

*Talent Quest.

*Year 10 Theatre Studies Concert.

*Public Speaking Recital.

*Year 10 Music Concert.

*Mosaic

*Year 7 Showcase.

College Feast Day

From all reports, the Feast Day was a wonderful success.

Under the direction of Mrs Brown, the College Choir sang beautifully during the mass.

Conducted by Mr Michael Wilding, the final hymn “Companions of Ignatius” was accompanied by the senior band as selected students sang the verses and the College leaders, choir and all students joined in with the chorus. It was such a thrill to see the students sing our school song together, especially after our Feast Day was canceled due to covid earlier in the year.

Talent Quest

After the Feast Day Mass, many students participated in the annual talent quest.

It was inspiring to see many students get up onto the stage and perform to their peers.

There were dancers, vocalists, bands and even a junior comedian!

Our special guest for the day was Andy Pobjoy from the Piano Bar in Geelong.

Andy assisted in the adjudicating and then entertained the whole school. He had our staff and students rocking in their seats with well known songs with a little of Elton John thrown in.

Prizes for the talent quest:

Junior

1ST Place: Year 9 Band

2nd Place: Mietta Corby

3rd Place: Duet-Ashlyn Pitts and Millie Tognon

Senior

1ST Place: Summer De Vries

2nd Place: Lily Petterwood & Marielle Lewis

3rd Place: Year 11 Band

Ignatius Award: India Martschinke

Yr 10 Theatre Studies and Dance Production- Live in Living Colour

Students recently showcased their amazing talents in Singing, Dancing and Acting in their own original Musical Theatre Variety Evening performed at The Potato Shed Theatre. With showstopping numbers like Jet Set, Cute boys with short haircuts, Live in Living Colour and All that Jazz audiences were captivated by their high energy and incredible talent. Set as a Flight to destination Musical Theatre, students scripted original dialogue with established scenes, Musical numbers, Fractured Fairy-tales and Dance acts. The whole production was student led supported by their teacher Ms Kate Lehmann, with all students taking on responsibility for a Production Role such as Directing, Lighting, Costumes, Choreography, Vocals, Props/Sets, Make up/Hair and Publicity. Students demonstrated great collaboration, cooperation, leadership, initiative and problem solving skills to make the Production a success.

Kate Lehmann

(Dance, Drama, Humanities Teacher)

The Wizard of Oz

It is very exciting that a number of our very talented students have been selected to perform in GSODA’S “Wizard of OZ” which will be held at Geelong Grammar School, 16-17th December.

Liana Whatman (Year 10) is playing the role of Dorothy alongside Mackinley Watson (Year 11) playing Tinman and Oliver Watson (Year 9) playing Scarecrow. There are also multiple other students from various year levels in the show too.

Year 7 Showcase

After 2 years of covid disruption we were fortunate to have a Year 7 Showcase concert to finish off the Year 7 program. Students in the Year 7 music classes in Semester 2 performed in the Multipurpose Centre as part of a massed band. The students were supported by the music tutors who have been working with them in class. The concert also featured performances by the Junior Band and Honours Band.

Students who have enjoyed the musical experience are encouraged to continue next year by joining the Junior Band and enrolling in private music lessons. If you need more information please speak to me or to Mrs Pape: papel@ignatius.vic.edu.au

Michael Wilding

Band Coordinator
Year 7, 8, 9 Music Teacher

wildingm@ignatius.vic.edu.au

Public Speaking Recital

I was very proud of our Public Speaking students recently when they performed to parents and friends in the Loyola Centre.

The topic was on “The Clarity of Communication” and the speeches were very informative and interesting.

Congratulations to Ms Nikki Zhao for her wonderful work with our students.

Please see her comments below.

The Public Speaking students of 2022 have recently achieved their second and final public recital at the brand new building, Loyola Centre. Joined by their parents and siblings, the one hour flew by. I am in awe of what these young speakers are capable of and their attitude towards pushing themselves outside of their comfort zones. Part of the Semester, they have been exploring the art of persuasion, and applying these skills to their speeches on passionate concerns, or advertisements of products they have invented.

What you see on stage from these young speakers, in those short minutes of stage time, reflects a diversity of voices, perseverance and the courage to show up.

I am so happy to have these young minds as my students, they continue to inspire me to guide them to be the unique and authentic communicator that they can be.

Well done, Jeeann, Mazie, Eva, Otis, Hector, Hamish and Owen.

Nikki Zhao

Public Speaking Teacher

Year 10 Music Concert

The year 10 Music Performance class performed a variety of musical styles, ranging from Schumann to Oasis, to many parents and friends in the Potato Shed last week.

Students were very excited to showcase their solo and group works that they have been rehearsing during the semester. I shall be very sad to say goodbye to this talented and fun class and sincerely hope that they will continue to enjoy and make music.

Farewell

Mr Wilding and I are both very sad to say goodbye and a big thank you to our year 12 musicians. Emily O’Kane, Claire Sumner, Zach Elliot, Fraser Sutherland, Veronica Fragapane and Mikaelah Naus have given years of absolute dedication to the College band. Coming to school every Friday morning when many students are still in bed has shown true commitment. We shall miss them all very much.

Mosaic

I was so proud of our Performing Arts students as they shone on stage for our annual award ceremony- Mosaic.

Many thanks to our Performing Arts staff and music students for their very polished performances.

Public Speaking & Instrumental Music Lessons

If interested in private lessons, please go onto Operoo and fill out the form.

As teacher loads are in process, it is important that the instrumental form is completed before December 13th. Late entries will be accepted but it is not guaranteed a place will be available.

Thank you

A big thank you to our maintenance staff who are constantly on call to transport equipment and to set up seating etc for our performances.

A very special thank you to our dedicated Performing Arts staff who continually work above and beyond to ensure our students continue to shine. It has certainly been a team effort.

We wish all our students, parents and friends a very happy and holy Christmas.

We sincerely thank you for your continued support of our Performing Arts department and we look forward to entertaining you again in 2023.

Sincerely,

Linda Pape | Performance & Instrumental Coordinator.