Performing Arts

Francis Blakiston Head of Performing Arts and Music

Music

Creativity is one of Shelford’s core values because we recognise that it is essential to our students embracing the challenges of an everchanging future. Creative thinking means that students respond with curiosity, imagination and innovative thinking to the world that lies ahead of them.

The performing arts and music departments offer so many opportunities for both Junior and Senior Students to learn new things, find their own creative core and perfect their craft and we love every chance to showcase their amazing talents.

Autumn Concert

Our Autumn Concert was another opportunity for our musical ensembles to wow their audience. The excitement of the girls playing was palpable and the evening was a hit with parents and supporters. Our musical calendars are full of opportunities to hear and enjoy the talent in our school so keep an eye on Shelly for announcements of upcoming events.

Jazz Night

We held our inaugural Jazz Night where our students got the opportunity to perform with Jazz band the David Dower trio. This informal evening was a great experience for our talented performers – one that potentially sparked a lifelong love of Jazz for many. It certainly was an entertaining evening for parents, staff and students who attended.

Junior School Performing Arts Showcase

The Junior School Performing Arts Showcase gives our Junior School the opportunity to put on show all of their Music and Drama skills in the Shelford Hall. The evening saw a mixture of ensembles, dance groups, choirs and soloists that left the audience spellbound. It was truly special to see students from JDC through to Year 6 sharing the stage with each other. The evening culminated with a Junior School massed choir performance of the piece Journey to the Past.

Senior String Quartet

Last term our Senior String Quartet were invited to perform at the Order of Australia Victoria Branch meeting. The ensemble, accompanied by the Shelford School captains, travelled to Melbourne Town hall where they performed for guests as they arrived. They also had the opportunity to speak with several guests, as well as the guest orator, Chris Leptos AO.

Another wonderful opportunity for our Senior String Quartet to perform was for the most special of guests: our mothers, grannies, guardians and teachers at our Mother’s Day Lunch at the West Beach Pavilion in St Kilda. Well done to the girls who played a full 45 minute set as our guests arrived and mingled before lunch. The quartet once again stepped up to entertain Shelford Alumnae as they enjoyed an afternoon of tea and snacks after our 125 year celebrations and our brass section played Happy Birthday to Shelford as we cut our 125 year birthday cake. Thank you to our students and staff for always stepping up to entertain.

Drama

The boards are certainly being trod this semester. Our Junior School is hard at work rehearsing for the Junior School Performing Arts Showcase and 85 of our students from Senior School are belting out the best of ABBA for the musical extravaganza of Mamma Mia! The Musical. Dance routines are being choreographed by Ms Kelsey Holden and Ms Erin Juers is directing.

Our students get a rich overview of performing arts and recently Year 8 Drama students explored the world of Commedia dellÁrte, an Italian theatre style that dates back to the 16th Century. Renowned theatre education company Make a Scene performed Venice in Love offering plenty of humour, energy and audience interaction.