Performing Arts
Spectacularthon!
Congratulations to the cast and crew of The Addams Family!
Over six nights more than 3,000 members of our community came out to support this deliciously ghoulish musical.
Sold out shows, standing ovations, tears of laughter and shrieks of delight! The Addams Family broke all Haileybury records and created something magical on stage. The show had a hugely skilled and large cast and crew (over 100 students involved), large numbers of audience and a wonderful design that spanned stage, foyer, marketing and social media.
Addams was a joy! A huge team of theatre, dance, art, facilities, grounds, IT, science and music staff worked collaboratively to bring this wonderful show to life. Every campus was represented and so many people came out to support this live theatre event.
If you did not get a chance to come and see the show, here are some of the surprises you missed!
Nick Waxman
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies
Music
Term 2 has been a productive time within the Music department. Alongside the wonderful success of The Addams Family musical, Senior School ensembles have been diligently rehearsing for their first major concert of the year.
On Thursday 6 June the Instrumental Music department will host the Senior School Winter Concert in Aikman Hall. This large ensemble concert is a celebration of students who have participated in the music program for an extended period. The majority of performing students will have taken private instrumental lessons for more than five years. Repertoire selected for performance approaches professional standard.
The ensembles to be featured include: Symphony Orchestra, Haileybury Singers, String Symphonia, Chamber Brass, Viva Voce, Symphonic Band, Contemporary Singers, Wind Symphony, Guitar Ensemble and Stage Band.
Just before the concert, Haileybury jazz program students will perform in the Aikman Foyer. Light refreshments, including soup (in cups) and hot chocolate will be served.
I would encourage all Haileybury parents, regardless of whether their child/children are in Junior, Middle or Senior School, to consider attending this concert. The concert begins at 7.00 pm (concludes at 8.30 pm), the standard will be very high, the program diverse and entry is free.
In the week after Winter Concert many of our outstanding classical vocalists will attend a masterclass event in preparation for Aria Night, that will occur in week two of Term 3.
Held in the David Bradshaw Chapel at Keysborough, Aria night, which is a vocal competition, will see nine vocal students, finalists, each perform two works; one a prescribed work and the other an item of their own choice. A truly inspiring event, Aria Night is one to put in the calendar ASAP.
In the last fortnight of this term, Middle School students also get an opportunity to take the stage as part of their large ensemble concert series. With four concerts set to occur, one for each campus, the series is both a busy and rewarding time for staff and students.
Crucially, Middle School concerts provide a vital opportunity for students to perform, often for their first time, before a large audience in a formal atmosphere. Students enjoy the opportunity to show the broader Haileybury community their collaborative skills as emerging young musicians. I hope to see you there!
Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music
Visual Arts
Year 9 Media
Year 9 Media students have enjoyed the opportunity to begin media production in the studio.
In their recent task, students, including Jenna Wade, dived into dynamic production experiments, exploring the impact of different sound profiles on microphones.
Through these experiments, students not only honed their audio recording skills but also mastered the art of post-production editing, elevating their creations to professional-grade quality.
The opportunity for our students to access the studio and the industry knowledge of our highly qualified staff means they can develop their own expertise to make informed choices, fostering creativity and innovation along the way.
Ngaire Thomson
Head of Visual Arts Senior School
Pipes & Drums
Haileybury Solo Piping Success
28 April 2024, marked a remarkable day for the Haileybury Pipes & Drums as our students showcased their skills and passion at the Haileybury Solo Piping Competition. The event was a significant milestone, not just for the participants but for our music program, which continues to thrive under dedicated guidance and practice.
Jessie (Year 11), one of our standout performers, excelled brilliantly, clinching the top spot in both the C grade March and Hornpipe & Jig categories. She also secured the runner-up position in the C grade Strathspey & Reel. Jessie’s performances were excellent in a very contested grade of six other C Grade pipers.
Dylan (Year 3) also made his mark among a larger group of 15 contestants, this time in the Novice/Beginner grade. Dylan placed 4th in his March, 2nd in the Slow Air, and 3rd in his Piobaireachd. His achievements reflect the hard work he has put towards his piping this year, and we can’t wait to see the bright future he has ahead.
As we celebrate these successes, we also look forward to future challenges and opportunities. Our students are gearing up for the upcoming solo piping contests at Ballarat, Scotch College, and PLC. These events will be another platform for them to demonstrate their technical playing and for us to reinforce the strength of our piping program.
Lincoln Hilton
Director, Pipes & Drums
