Performance and Instrumental News

Staff and students are cautiously optimistic that this year they will once again be permitted to perform and showcase their talents. Hopefully, we shall hear the sound of applause and see the smiling faces of students being so proud of their efforts.

Some concert dates are printed below, and more dates will be published in the College newsletter in the coming weeks.

This year we were delighted to welcome Mr Michael Wilding into the position of Band Coordinator.

The College bands are developing extremely well and with Michael at the helm, we hope to see many more students join the rehearsals at lunchtimes and perform at the many events this year.

Mr Tim Neal takes the Stage Band every Thursday lunchtime and Ms Doble- the Senior Band on Fridays before school.

Mrs Janice Wilding takes the Junior Band on Monday lunchtimes and she is very excited to see a number of new members. The band is quickly outgrowing their current room. There is a chance

we may have a new room very soon. More news on this after the Easter Bunny comes.

The Junior Band

The Junior Band has relished the opportunity to rehearse together this term. Beginners and students from last year’s Year 7 classroom band program take their first steps in learning to play as a band and are thrilled to be supported and encouraged by so many older students. Learning “The Big Mambo” and “The Spook” so far this term, brings Monday lunchtimes to life!

(Mrs Janice Wilding)

Instrumental music and public speaking lessons.

The numbers of instrumental music lessons have increased since lockdown and I am sure the students are experiencing a new appreciation for learning an instrument face to face. This, we all took so much for granted before remote learning.

We welcome back Ms Teressa Duddy. Teressa taught classroom music early last year and after the birth of her second son, Sidney, she has now returned to our College as a vocal teacher. Students have been very excited to hear of her return and the music staff are also delighted to work with Teressa again.

Ms Nikki Zhao, our public speaking teacher, has been very impressed with her students this term and she looks forward to seeing parents and friends at the pubic speaking recital in May. This date will be published in the next newsletter.

Please see the link to an informative video Nikki has made about public speaking.

Public Speaking is all about exploring the expression of your ideas, feelings, and giving of information through discussion or talks. It is also about being able to communicate clearly so that the listener can hear and understand you. You will have the opportunity to speak in front of your fellow classmates, and also challenge yourself to be in front of an audience this semester.

Below is a link to a welcome video from me and a short introduction to our class.

(Ms Nikki Zhao)

New Piano Teacher

At Saint Ignatius we have two piano tutors, Mr Tony Musella and Mr Adrian Montagnese. With piano studies becoming very popular, we welcome another piano teacher, Mrs Heather Wickes to join our team.

Heather has extensive experience in piano tuition, classroom music and also with accompanying. Heather been the accompanist for the Australian Youth Choir for many years and at present she is the accompanist for the Welsh Ladies choir.

We wish Heather all the best with her teaching at our college.

Percussion and drum tutor.

Last year we said farewell to our drum tutor, Mr Vish Vadivelu. We thank him for all he did at our college and for inspiring students to become wonderful drummers!

We are very fortunate to welcome Mt Tom Estoban. Tom was our drummer extraordinaire who played in the Wicked Orchestra, -our 2021 College production.

Tom is looking forward to meeting many new students every Wednesday.

Students often ask me if they need to buy a drumkit to commence drum lessons but I assure them that to begin with, their mum’s saucepans will be fine!

Maybe they should speak to Mr Estoban!

Parents who want to enrol their child for tuition in music or public speaking for next term are to go onto Operoo – “Private Music and Public Speaking Program 2022” and please fill out the form. There are only 5 weeks left and so I am ready to commence timetables and staffing for term 2.

Please email me if you have any problems or just want to chat.

Future concert dates and times for this semester are being finalised. Please see the dates of concerts already in the College calendar for this semester.

Looking forward to a great year for the Performing Arts department.

Regards,

Mrs Linda Pape
Performance & Instrumental Coordinator

Sweetfest-Celebrating women in music.

Below is a letter from year 11 student, Summer de Vries.

Summer, Lily Petterwood and Kiarna Grieve are all involed in Sweetfest this coming Sunday.

On Behalf of Sweethearts, I wanted to let you know about a free all ages music festival, Sweetfest, we are putting on Sunday March 6^th in Geelong CBD. It would be great if you could share this around your community.

From 11am Sunday 6 March Geelong’s own Sweethearts will finally have the opportunity to take over the City when Sweetfest rolls into town. Having been postponed twice last year, the festival is finally happening and presents a great line up of female talent.

The Arts Industry Commission funded project Sweetfest will present a powerhouse line-up including a solo set from Alex Lahey (2018 ARIA Award nominee break-through artist-release), Hayley Mary (ex The Jezabels), and Emma Donovan and The Putbacks, along with Geelong’s own Sweethearts, showcasing the strength and depth of female musicians in Geelong and across Melbourne.

The free event also features 20 different acts including Fulton Street; Cry Baby; Rach Brennan; Libby Steel; Mink Mila; Sarah Carroll; Andrea Robertson; Carly Robertson; Hassall; Operation Karma; and others.

Councillor Eddy Kontelj, Chair – Arts, Live Entertainment and Hospitality Portfolio says “The work we have been doing through the Arts, Live Entertainment and Hospitality portfolio is really starting gain traction and Council is proud to support Sweetfest as a showcase of all things music within Greater Geelong, especially by female musicians. The Sweethearts Foundation has pulled off a coup by announcing Alex Lahey (solo), Hayley Mary and Emma Donovan and The Putbacks as headlining Sweetfest for this unique celebration.”

“Through the joy of live music, this event will help draw visitors into Central Geelong, creating a vibrant atmosphere and generating increased trade for bars, restaurants and other venues, which is particularly important at this time.”

“Hosting quality events such as Sweethearts reflects our intent for Geelong to become the live entertainment hub of Australia,”

The Festival will take place over four stages, including an outdoor stage on the Johnstone Park forecourt and in the Little Malop St Precinct, including Pistol Pete’s Food & Blues; West End Upstairs and Beav’s Bar, with some acts live streaming via Sweethearts Youtube Channel for those who can’t make it.

Sandy Thompson, secretary of Sweethearts Foundation comments that “The Sweethearts Foundation are excited to provide a platform for live performance and are proud to present a free all ages music festival that celebrates women in music. Sweetfest is another element of the Foundations work that aims to broaden the opportunities to women throughout the Geelong and Melbourne areas”

Sweetfest is an initiative of the Sweethearts Foundation, celebrating women in music by providing performance opportunities for female musicians from across the City of Greater Geelong and Melbourne.

Sweetfest is supported by the City of Greater Geelong through the Arts & Culture Department, Arts Industry Commissions.

Kind regards,

Summer de Vries
(she/her)