Performing Arts

mrs maryanne Challis | Head of Performing Arts mr Adam Croft | Head of Performance mr matt Little | Director of Performing Arts Events, Ensembles & Instrumental Music Coordinator

The Performing Arts Department has shown many successes throughout an incredibly challenging year. By no means has 2021 been the year we hoped it would be, but we have managed to continue with what both students and staff love to do: learn and develop our knowledge in Music and Drama.

This year began with Music camp, which included 3 days of intense rehearsals, concluding with a refined concert. Our boys showed incredible concentration over the camp, whilst also connecting with the musicians they play alongside. Camp prepared our students for what would have been their annual performance at the Victorian School Music Festival in August, plus our Music Tour to the Gold Coast for the Queensland Catholic Schools Music Festival. Unfortunately, we were only a few weeks away from flying out to the Gold Coast when lockdown hit hard again, and our tour was cancelled. This news was deeply disappointing, but the boys showed a great deal of maturity in accepting the brevity of the situation.

As we moved to remote learning, the Performing Arts department set up our laptops and began teaching via Microsoft Teams. We worked through a number of challenging technical issues, but soon were thoroughly enjoying playing again. We had some wonderful feedback from parents, students and staff about the enthusiasm during lessons, remarking on how instrumental lessons brought light relief to the restrictive nature of the lockdowns.

We continued with this enthusiasm into Semester 2 with the Solo Music Competition in Term 3. What a magnificent event, with 66 applicants! Congratulations to our talented musicians who entered their video for the competition, but a huge congratulations to Jordan Ratumu, Patrick Cherry & Alex Sabljak for becoming our Junior, Intermediate and Senior Champions respectively. Sadly, due to the lockdowns we missed out on so many events throughout the year, but we look forward to participating again next year with a renewed vigour. Hopefully we can get back to some normality, attend Music Camp in Term 1 and continue with our planning for future tours.

Drama students from Years 7-12 had another year of remote performing, while some classes still managed to perform live. Our Semester 2 Year 9 students were able to perform their original plays for an audience of sixty-six Grade 1 students from Oakleigh Primary School.

Our Unit 3/4 Theatre Studies students produced an innovative and original interpretation of the play Massacre at Myall Creek by John Summons. After consultation with Indigenous bodies and organisations, it was determined that our production needed to tell the truth from the Colonial perspective and to not attempt to speak for the victims; our First Nations people do not need us to talk for them. The performance space was designed as a Union Jack, with the actors performing in the vertical and horizontal cross sections with seating on the edge of the cross, very close to the actors, for this intense and confronting 1-hour play.

As another busy year draws to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the staff in the Performing Arts & Instrumental Music Departments – Adam Croft (Head of Performance), Matthew Little (Vocals & Director of PA Events & Ensembles) Melissa Adela (Piano), Jenny Brasch (Viola/Cello), Sonny Igusti (Bass Guitar), Emma Hallett (Brass), Amanda Morgan (Cello), David Neville (Drums), Stephanie Lai (Flute), Michael Shepherdson (Guitar), Serena Thean (Clarinet/Sax), Sylvia Winfield (Violin) & Lia Senatha (PA Admin Assistant). Without all of these wonderful, dedicated staff, our department would not be

so enjoyable and fulfilling. Thank you for your support, enthusiasm and awesomeness in supporting & teaching our boys your magnificent talents.

And, lastly to our parents: without your support, our program would not exist. We thank you for allowing your Son to be part of our wonderful program. We look forward to working with you and your Son in 2022 and beyond.

Finally, a farewell from Maryanne Challis. Thanks to all staff, students and parents for the wonderful journey over the past 11 years. The Salesian College Performing Arts department will forever be in my heart. Until we meet again… Stand side by side with joyful pride, Salesian true!

2021 hasn’t been the year we hoped it would be, but we have managed to continue with what both students and staff love to do: learn and develop our knowledge in Music and Drama.