We have certainly hit the ground running this year in Performing Arts, eager to bring back some of our performance opportunities, lessons and rehearsals that have been on hold due to covid restrictions. This newsletter article is jam packed with all of the exciting opportunities we have for our performing arts students this term.

PERFORMANCES

Our first assemblies for the year saw live performances for the first time in 12 months. Thank you to Adelaide Robinson for leading the singing of the National Anthem at Primary Assembly and Mahi Khobgrade and Sureyya Brennan (year 10) who performed their own original composition ‘Lost World’ at Secondary Assembly. It was an amazing start to our assembly performances for the year - watch and listen here: 

Thank you performers!

If any students are keen to perform at assembly, please let one of the performing arts staff know so we can arrange a week for you to perform. All areas of performing arts are welcome!

INSTRUMENTAL LESSONS

Most of our instrumental lessons have resumed however some tutors are still finalising times for a few new enrolments this year. There are still spaces available across all instruments so if your child is interested in learning a musical instrument at school, please visit our website for more information. There is an enrolment form to complete and we do have instruments for hire if you need. If you have any queries regarding instrumental lessons, please do not hesitate to contact the Performing Arts team.

https://www.bdc.nsw.edu.au/mybdc/music/music-tuition

MUSIC INFORMATION EVENING

On Monday 28th February from 7-8pm, we will be holding a Music Information Evening. This evening will be for any existing music students or new students to the College to come along and find out more about lessons. Many of the music tutors will be at the evening and will showcase their talents by performing some pieces as well as then talking about their lessons. For parents, this is a great opportunity to meet the music tutors and discuss your child's lessons. This event will be held in the Music Department (M1). All are welcome!

ENSEMBLES AND ACADEMY REHEARSALS

Ensemble rehearsals have also resumed. The current timetable for ensembles include:

Monday:

Recess - Ukulele ensemble (M1)

Lunch - Senior Rock Band (M1)

Tuesday:

8am - Highly Strung (M1)

8:50am - Year 9 Extension Music Class (M1)

Periods 3 - 4 - Secondary Dance Academy rehearsals

Wednesday

8am - Orchestra

Lunch - Junior Rock Band (M1)

Thursday

8am - Primary Training Band

Period 3 (week B) - Primary Performance Choir

Lunch - Jazz Band

Period 5 - Superstrings

Period 6 (week A) - Primary Performance Choir

Friday

Periods 5 and 6 - Primary Dance Academy rehearsals

All of our ensembles are free and students do not need to audition to be part of these groups. If you have any questions regarding ensembles, please come and see the Performing Arts staff.

SUZUKI STRING PROGRAM FOR KINDERGARTEN STUDENTS 2022

Ms Sandra Smith is excited to be offering a Suzuki string program for students currently in Kindergarten in 2022. This program is for beginner violin students, so no musical experience is required to attend. The lessons will be free and will start in Term 2, one morning to be confirmed before school from 8am. 

Ms Smith started this program in 2019 and this week she had the pleasure of giving Charlotte Quodling and Angela Li their Twinkle Certificates. These students can now competently play the Twinkle Variations with and without backing tracks. Congratulations Charlotte and Angela!

If you are interested in enrolling your child for the program this year, see the attached letter and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Ms Smith ssmith@bdc.nsw.edu.au

Download the letter here 

MUSIC PERFORMANCE SHIRTS

I am very excited to announce that our Music Performance Shirts have arrived in the uniform shop and they look fantastic. These shirts will become a uniform requirement for any music student who participates in performances both at College events on campus and also in the Community. Price of the shirts are $30.

INSTRUMENTAL SHOWCASE 1

The first combined Instrumental Showcase Concert will be held on Wednesday 23rd March at 6:30pm. This is an opportunity for students to perform in a relaxed atmosphere with a supportive audience. The concert will be open to all students learning from music tutors at BDC across all instruments. Please speak to your music tutor or a member of the Performing Arts faculty if you would like to perform. The showcase concert will take place in M1 and we are hoping to make these a termly event.

STRING POSITION AVAILABLE

We are currently seeking a teacher for violin and/or cello to join our amazing team. If you know of anyone who may be interested, please ask them to contact the College. This position has been advertised externally. A link to the position on Seek can be found here:

https://www.seek.com.au/job/55878788

FRIENDS OF MUSIC

The Friends of Music parent group is a valuable body within the College. This group of parents have been integral in raising much needed funds for the Music Department to purchase larger capital items including the Grand Piano in M1, the timpani drums, Baritone Saxophone and Baritone horn to name a few. As the faculty is now expanding to include Drama and Dance, we have decided to reinvigorate the Friends of Music group to now be called the Friends of Performing Arts (FoPA). The first function for the Friends of Performing Arts will be a welcome breakfast, held on Friday 4th March from 8am - 9am. This will be a chance for the group to re-connect after a long period of covid restrictions, hear about upcoming events for the Performing Arts and also plan for future activities. New faces are definitely welcome! 

EISTEDDFOD

The Coffs Harbour Eisteddfod is now finalised and all sections are open for entries. This is a wonderful opportunity for all Performing Arts students (dance, drama and music) to improve their performance skills. Details on sections that you can enter, costs and venues can be found on the website:

https://coffseisteddfod.org.au/

CONCERTS 

Many of our staff and students perform outside BDC. If you have an upcoming performance, please let us know so we can advertise and support the event.

Our talented piano and saxophone teacher, Pablo Blitzer, will be performing on February 25th at the Coffs Harbour Conservatorium. At this concert he will be premiering his latest compositions for piano trio and string quartet. It should be amazing. Tickets can be purchased online through eventbrite

https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/staff-concert-1-pablo-blitzer-tickets-256496918187

GONDWANA NATIONAL CHOIR

Calling all singers! The Gondwana National Choir is now taking applications. This is an amazing opportunity for choristers of primary and secondary age, to come together and learn beautiful choral repertoire. Applications close Monday 21st February. Please see the website for more information or speak to the Performing Arts team at BDC.

https://www.gondwana.org.au/gondwana-national-choirs/

Download the brochure here  

BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS LEARNING PERFORMING ARTS

https://youtu.be/s-E2YDi3wZ0

UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR DIARY

21st February - Applications for Gondwana National Choir close

25th February - Pablo Blitzer concert at the Coffs Harbour Conservatorium

28th February - Music Information Evening 7pm - 8pm in M1

2nd March - Ash Wednesday Service

4th March - Friends of Performing Arts breakfast 8am - 9am

18th March - Harmony Day Assembly at BDC

23rd March - Instrumental Showcase 1 6:30pm in M1

8th April - Easter Service and Grandparents Day