Another busy term is coming to a close. So many opportunities for our Performing Arts students throughout the term including AMEB and HSC Examinations as well as excursions, visiting artists, workshops, subject information evenings, Father's Day Breakfast, recital evenings, and of course EYE Week which is still to come in our final week of term. Congratulations to all our students for a wonderful term of hard work. We have also announced our 2024 musical with auditions starting next term, so ending the term on a high!

New Cello Teacher

We are excited to announce that we have a new cello teacher joining the team at BDC. Lydia Chesterman will be teaching cello to our students from Week 2 Term 4 on Wednesdays. If you are interested in having lessons with Lydia, please complete the online enrolment form. If you are a continuing cello student, your details will be automatically transferred to Lydia and she will be in contact regarding a lesson time.

Any questions regarding cello lessons, please contact Mrs Rachel Caesar rcaesar@bdc.nsw.edu.au

SHEP

Congratulations to Mahi Khobregade (10) who has been successful in gaining a place in the State Honours Ensemble Program at Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University in the Vocal Ensemble as an Alto. This program will run during the school holidays and Mahi will join Julius Taylor (8), Amelie Howard (9), Camble Scott (10), and Olivia Hoare (10) who will be attending the Australian Honours Ensemble Program at the same time.

Congratulations Mahi!

Joshua Walraven

Congratulations to Joshua Walraven (Year 9) who has won 1st place in the 2023 QMTA Queensland Piano Competition in both the 15-16 years category and 13-16 years Popular/Jazz section.

This event is held in Brisbane at the University of Queensland and is one of Queensland’s most highly competitive and prestigious competitions for pianists.

Joshua was also invited to perform again at the QMTA QLD Piano Competition winners Highlights Concert in Brisbane the following weekend where he was chosen as the winner of the Max Olding Bursary. One pianist from the Qld Piano Competition is chosen and awarded this bursary in memory of legendary Australian pianist Max Olding AM. 

It is a huge honour for Joshua to receive such an award and he’s very grateful to QMTA for providing such wonderful performance opportunities for young pianists. He owes huge thanks as well to his extremely dedicated teacher Mimia Margiotta.

Huge congratulations to Joshua on these achievements.

Angela Tobin

Congratulations to Angela Tobin (8) who is one of our Drama Academy students on her recent success at the Port Macquarie Eisteddfod.

Angela was awarded the following:

• 1st in Musical Theatre
• 1st in Impromptu Reading
• 2nd in her Monologue*
• 2nd in Prepared Reading*
• 3rd in Poetry Recital*

(*0.5 marks off 1st / 2nd place)

Angela was also awarded the Senior Scholarship. Only 1 senior scholarship is awarded for High School students in Years 7-12 so this is a great achievement for Angela.

Congratulations to Angela on her achievements!

HSC Drama and Music Nights

Congratulations to our HSC Drama and Music students. They recently performed their Major Works to an audience in preparation for their HSC exams and have now also been assessed by NESA. The students all worked tirelessly in the lead up to the exam and there were many happy students at the end of the exams.

Secondary Dance Academy

We're thrilled to share an incredible experience our Dance Academy students had, connecting with the prestigious Sydney Dance Company. On Tuesday 29th August, they were granted the extraordinary opportunity to witness a live-streamed performance of the mesmerizing award-winning piece, "Forever & Ever," choreographed by the renowned Antony Hamilton, all the way from the iconic Sydney Coliseum Theatre.

But that's not all! Our talented dancers engaged in a captivating pre-show discussion with the brilliant minds behind the scenes, the Artistic Team themselves! The insights gained into the creative process and the inspiration behind the masterpiece enriched the whole experience.

Following this enlightening exchange, our dancers embarked on their own artistic journey, translating their thoughts and emotions into stunning improvisations inspired by "Forever & Ever."

We couldn't be prouder of our Dance Academy students for embracing this remarkable opportunity with such passion and creativity. Every step they take brings them closer to their dreams, and we can't wait to see where their artistic journey leads them next!

Year 8 Rock Music Research Tasks

This term, the Year 8 music students have been learning about Rock Music and the History of Rock. The focus task for the term included a research project on a Rock band or artist of their choice from any era. The students could also choose how to present their information and this week, a number of spectacular posters have been submitted for marking. The students in Year 8 are to be congratulated on their efforts with this task. Some amazing projects have been completed.

Secondary Assembly

Thank you to our recent performers at Secondary assembly - Kiarah Gray (9) and Keira Garner (6). This was the first time for both students to perform at Secondary Assembly and they did an amazing job. Thank you Kiarah and Keira for sharing their musical talents with the Secondary School.

Performing Arts Awards Evening

We are thrilled to announce our first BDC Performing Arts Awards Evening will be held in the Branson Centre on Thursday 9th November. The event is free, however, tickets will need to be purchased prior to the event via TryBooking.

Tables of 8 are available and there will be the opportunity for people to dress their own table, with prizes allocated for the best-decorated table of the evening.

The event will start with the Woodwind Ensemble performing outside the Branson Centre from 5:45pm. A bar will be open from the ROC where beer, wine and soft drinks will be available for purchase throughout the evening.

You also have the option of booking a savoury and/or sweet platter of food for the evening via Flexischools. The option to donate will also be available upon booking your table with funds raised going towards purchasing much-needed items for the Performing Arts faculty. A list of these items will be provided.

The evening will consist of awards for Music, Drama, Dance and High Performance. Special guests, including Performing Arts alumni, will assist with the presentation of awards. There will also be performances from various music ensembles, dance academies and drama groups.

It will be an amazing evening and we hope you can join us. 

If you would like to sponsor a trophy or would like to donate prizes for the evening, please contact either myself, Mrs Caesar or Holly Heather.

2024 College Musical

The moment you have all been waiting for! In 2024, the College Musical will be The Little Mermaid. Auditions will be held at the beginning of Term 4 and will be open for students in Year 6-11. There will be major and minor roles as well as ensemble roles.

It is going to be a whole bunch of fun filled with amazing costumes, music, singing, dancing, acting, and talented students. We would love students to be involved.

Parts will be allocated quickly as rehearsals will begin in Term 4 one afternoon per week from 3:30 - 5:30pm with the production date being early Term 2.

We are very excited and look forward to the musical coming to fruition.

There will be sign-up sheets for students wishing to audition placed in the music department.

If there are any questions, please see one of the Performing Arts team.

Liberty Theatre - Spongebob The Musical

Plunge into this stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show! When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and his friends must come together to save the fate of their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world!

From Liberty Youth Theatre, The Team Behind, Aladdin Jr, Cinderella, The Addams Family Musical and Shrek comes “The Spongebob Musical” Featuring A Stellar Cast of Performers aged between 8 and 18. In the cast, we have a number of BDC students including Sapphire Moses, Esme Taylor, Isla Hart, Jade Messner, Lily Sameh and Saxton Moses. 

There are 6 exclusive performances across 2 days these Spring School Holidays only at Jetty Memorial Theatre. Shows run October 3rd & 4th at the Jetty Memorial Theatre with each show running approximately 70 minutes. 

Tickets can be purchased through the following website:

https://www.jettytheatre.com/the-spongebob-musical/

Upcoming events for your diary

Rebecca Day
Head of Performing Arts