Arts

Performing Arts

VCE Drama and Theatre Performance exams

In the first weeks of October, students from City, Brighton, Berwick and Keysborough who are studying VCE Drama and Theatre Studies presented their performance exam. The exam takes place outside of Haileybury and is overseen by three external assessors who mark the students across a range of criteria including research, performance skills, use of space and their imaginative interpretation.

VCE Drama students had to write their own seven-minute solo for performance based on a choice of prompts and provocations. VCE Theatre Studies students selected a monologue from a prescribed list and became actor/directors or designers as they developed the script to create an intimate live performance.

Years 9–12 Musical auditions for 2024!

On Tuesday, 21 November auditions will begin for the 2024 Senior School Musical. Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 students from City, Brighton, Berwick and Keysborough who will be in Years 9–12 in 2024 are invited to audition.

All cast hopefuls are required at the ensemble audition from 12.00 noon – 1.30 pm on 21 November. Please sign up for auditions via email.

An optional lead audition will take place in three-minute slots from 2.05 pm – 5.30 pm on the same day. These auditions are by appointment only and are optional. Once again, please email Nick Waxman to secure your spot.

Get in quick to avoid missing out!

Nick Waxman
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies

Music

Showcasing all ensembles great and small

Across the year, music events like Twilight Concert, Haileybury in Concert at Melbourne Recital Centre, campus-based Middle School concerts, Aria Night, Soirée afternoons, Jazz Nights, Junior School String concerts, musicals, VCE performance nights and, most recently, Chamber in the Chapel, provide an exceptional array of performance opportunities for students.

This Sunday will see the Music Department’s largest concert taking place — the Combined Middle School Spring Concert in Aikman Hall.

The concert will feature over 650 students from Years 5–8. Spring Concert has grown to such an extent that the event is divided into two mini concerts held on the same day. The Concert Band, Guitar Orchestra and Percussion Ensembles will perform in Concert 1 at 12.00 noon, while Strings and Choir will perform at 3.30 pm.

We expect an impressive 1,500 family members will attend across the two concerts.

My heartfelt thanks to the instrumental staff who give their time and expertise and their unwavering passion to ensure that all concerts embrace the highest possible musical experience.

Chamber in the Chapel

A very busy term began last week, and the Music Department celebrated an outstanding night of orchestral chamber music at the Chamber in the Chapel concert on Thursday, 5 October.

While the rain pelted down outside, the 200 strong audience enjoyed performances by our finest small ensemble musicians, supplemented by performances by the String Orchestra, Chamber Brass and Viva Voce choir.

Before the concert began guests enjoyed a glass of champagne and a sweet treat and viewed an impressive collection of VCE art presented around the concert space. Despite the rain and wind outside, the chapel was warm, the art was outstanding and the musicians performed beautifully.

Special thanks to Thomas Heywood, our compere for the evening. Mr Heywood’s knowledge and passion for classical music was plain to see and hear and was much appreciated by the audience.

Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music

Rachelle Rae

Head of Visual Arts Senior School

Pipes & Drums

Sofia is an Australian champion!

Haileybury Pipes & Drums continues to buzz with excitement as our students enter interstate solo competitions outside the pipe band season. Year 10 student, Sofia, Drum Sergeant of the Senior A Band (recently crowned World Champions in Grade 3B), had two extraordinary performances at the Australian Solo Drumming Championships in Queensland, placing her on a pedestal of champions.

Competing fiercely among some of the best young talents in the country, Sofia emerged victorious in the C Grade Under 18 March, Strathspey and Reel, and the C Grade Under 18 Hornpipe and Jig. With her unmatched tempo and rhythm, Sofia was crowned the C Grade Under 18 National Champion.

The championships took place at SCOTS PGC College in Warwick, Queensland and showcased Australia’s finest pipers and drummers and marked significant milestones for the SCOTS PGC Collegians.

As the Warwick community celebrated the CelticFest Warwick, Sofia’s victory was a testament to the hard work, dedication and passion that Haileybury Pipes & Drums invest in their craft. Congratulations Sofia on a well-deserved win!

Lincoln Hilton
Director, Pipes & Drums