Welcome back to Term 2! This term will be heavily focussed on Eisteddfod performances and HSC Preparation as we get closer to the Trial and Performance Exams in Term 3. We also have a number of workshops, visiting artists and performance opportunities for our students. So another busy term ahead!

We wish all of our Performing Arts students the best of luck with Eisteddfods this term!

New Staff

This term we have welcomed Mr Alex Fowler to the Performing Arts team as a classroom Performing Arts teacher. Mr Fowler is a drama specialist who has relocated to Coffs Harbour after teaching at The Southport School in Queensland. Welcome Mr Fowler.

HSC Music Workshop

On Friday 2 May, the Year 11 and 12 Music students attended a HSC Music Day through the Newcastle Conservatorium. This was a livestream event which focussed on developing skills for the HSC exam including the composition journal, aural skills preparation, musicology and the Viva Voce as well as performance masterclasses. Students were given resource booklets with tips and information to assist them with their study and preparation for the upcoming exams.

Dance Workshop

On Tuesday 6 May, students in the Secondary Dance Academy and High Performance Performing Arts Program for Dance had the amazing opportunity to work with Pete Evans, a choreographer from Sydney, in a full day of contemporary dance workshops. Thanks to Pete for sharing his expertise and passion with our talented dancers.

Scholarship Auditions

Thank you to all of the students who auditioned for Performing Arts Scholarships. There were a large number of applications this year across all areas of the Performing Arts and the panel were impressed with the level of talent that was displayed. For those students who were not successful in receiving a scholarship this year, please re-apply next year as the decision was incredibly difficult due to the high standard of applicants.

Marion Grove Performances

Congratulations to Year 12 Music 2 and Extension student Camble Scott who performed at Marion Grove Retirement Village on the first day of the Term 1 school holidays. This was another great performance opportunity for Camble to develop his HSC performance pieces.

This concert was part of a community initiative led by accompanist Mei Wei Lim and will feature 3 more performances this term where other Music 1, Music 2 and Extension students will have the opportunity to perform their major works for the residents of Marion Grove.

Thank you so much to Mei for organising the invaluable opportunity for our HSC students.

Eisteddfod Scholarships

Huge congratulations to HSC Music 2 and Extension students Camble Scott and Olivia Hoare who were both successful in winning scholarships from the Coffs Harbour Eisteddfod committee. The students had to submit a written application and recording of their performances to be considered. Congratulations Camble and Olivia and very well deserved.

ACO Collective Quartet

On Thursday 8 May, a number of selected senior and High Performance Music students were invited to attend a morning with the ACO Collective Quartet at The Glasshouse in Port Macquarie. This engaging and intimate performance featured classical masterworks by Bach, Beethoven, Dvorak, alongside contemporary works by Philip Glass and Caroline Shaw, interspersed with delightfully informative introductions to the music.

Acclaimed for the energy and dynamism of their performances, the ACO Collective Quartet is made up of graduates from the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s renowned Emerging Artist Program.

The students enjoyed the concert and were amazed with the standard of playing and the techniques that were showcased.

Mothers Day

Thank you to Adelaide Robinson, Tim Hardman and Lillian Cruwys who performed at the Mothers Day Breakfast on Thursday 8 May. You all did an amazing job and performed beautifully for the mums and guests.

Olivia Hoare - RYO

In the Term 1 school holidays, Olivia Hoare travelled to Sydney to participate in the Regional Youth Orchestra (RYO). As part of this program, Olivia will be travelling to Europe in June to perform with the RYO.

Bella Mellalieu

Congratulations to Bella Mellalieu who travelled to Armidale in the Term 1 holidays where she attended an orchestral workshop at The Armidale School from the 23rd to 27th April.

Bella played her violin for 6-8 hours a day in the Peter Seymour Orchestra, while learning 4 new pieces the orchestra had already been learning the whole term beforehand. The repertoire they learned included Dvorak’s Symphony no. 9 2nd Movement and Finale, Clara Schumann Piano Concerto, Glinka’s Ruslan and Ludmila and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. While everyone has had a full term to work on these incredible pieces Bella had all of 5 days to learn and perfect these for two concerts on the last two days.

Overall Bella had an incredible experience meeting new people learning new skills on her violin and seeing new places. Well done Bella.

Dance Performance

A huge thank you to Ava Galway (Year 9) for sharing her amazing dance performance at our recent Secondary assembly!

Upcoming Events For Your Diary

Rebecca Day
Head of Performing Arts