What an amazing year we have had in the Performing Arts space. We are finally starting to feel there is a sense of normalcy after the pandemic and many of our annual events including concerts, performances, workshops, visiting artists, and tours are starting to return.

Visit to CVAS

Last Tuesday, students involved in 5 of our Music Ensembles traveled to Grafton and performed for the students at Clarence Valley Anglical School in their new Performance Centre. Students in our College Orchestra, Highly Strung, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band and Year 12 Music class all presented a number of pieces they have been working on throughout the year. They did a wonderful job!

Lunchtime concerts on the Music Lawn

Last week, some of the students in the Year 9/10 World Options music course performed a lunchtime concert to students on the Music lawn. The students performed a number of pieces to an audience of primary and secondary students and staff. There was a great buzz on the lawn as people sat and ate their lunch while listening to the music. We are planning on doing more of these concerts during the fine weather.

Secondary Dance Academy

The Secondary Dance Academy were fortunate enough to have guest choreographer, Hana Trubin from Sydney work with the students in Week 6 and 7 this term. Hana is a movement artist and teacher who has strong experience in dance and performance. Hana grew up training at Woolgoolga Dance Studio before moving to Sydney to pursue her career in the arts. Hana has since trained in both Australia and New Zealand among companies such as; One Dance Collective, Humxn, House of Sole and More Than Moves (NZ).  

Some of Hana’s performance and choreography credits include TedX, Amazon Prime, Sony, JD Sports, The Colour Run. VIVID Sydney, L’oreal Australia, Fortnite and Sydney Mardi Gras and Sydney Fringe Festival.  

Hana was amazed by the talent and discipline the students in the Secondary Dance Academy displayed and is keen to come back again in the future to work with our students.

More HSC Drama Success!

Congratulations to Jorgia Young (HSC 2022) who was recently nominated for OnStage for her Individual Project for Scriptwriting. Jorgia is thrilled to be considered for inclusion in this HSC Drama Showcase as a reflection of her outstanding Major Work for Drama. Congratulations to Ms Katie Gudgeon who was Jorgia’s classroom teacher for Drama.

Performing Arts Manager 2023

I am pleased to announce that Ms Rachel Caesar has been appointed the new Performing Arts Manager for 2023. Many of you know Rachel with her work as a primary classroom teacher and her involvement in Performing Arts activities and events in the primary school. Rachel is looking forward to her new role and being part of the Performing Arts team.

Music Lessons in 2023

For those students who are currently having instrumental lessons at school, can you please advise if you are intending on NOT continuing lessons in 2023. If we do not hear from you, we expect that lessons will continue in 2023 and will timetable these accordingly. This also applies to Instrument Hire. If you no longer require the hire of an instrument, please return your instrument before the end of the year to avoid Hire fees being charged to the parent account for Semester 1 2023.

Lunchtime Concerts

Thank you to the woodwind students who presented a lunchtime concert in Week 7. Liam Straker (6), Jarrah Mash (7), William Dawson (7), Cara Nivison (7) and Ila Greenaway (7) all played a solo piece that they have been working on in their lessons. Well done to Peter Morgan (their teacher) and the students.

Year 9 Rites of Passage Assembly

Last Friday, the Secondary assembly was a special assembly to honour the Year 9 cohort as they now move into the Senior School in 2023. The Assembly showcased the amazing talent in Performing Arts from the Year 9 students. They were amazing. Thank you to the Secondary Jazz Band (Camble Scott, Cooper Lane, Digby Greenaway, Izzy Dal Pozzo, Riley Biggs) for their version of Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson. 

Thank you also to our Dance students (Jaela Hibbard, Aria Hibbard, Hunter Metcalf, Darcie McInally, Ella Chowdhury and Olivia O’Reilly) who performed their version of There’s No Place Like Home from the Wizard of Oz. The students were amazing and were a great representation of our dance program at the college.

Music Tutor Spotlight - Liz Jamison

The opening of Bishop Druitt College in 1994 marked a wonderful educational opportunity for the Coffs Harbour families and community with the appointment of the visionary Principal, Victor Branson. With his understanding of the benefits of music education, piano lessons for students during school time were introduced in the following year and I was offered the position as a peripatetic piano teacher. And I am still in the music department, constantly exploring suitable teaching methods for the young piano student and to enhance their musical progress and sustain a life-long interest in music.

With my interest with music education I became involved in the initial stages in the administration of the Coffs Harbour Music Education Centre in 1985. It offered group teaching for all instruments except piano and eventually resulted in the establishment of the Coffs Harbour Conservatorium. Also in in 1985, Coffs Harbour Music Society INC was established in association with MusicaViva of which I remain president. The annual subscription program of 6 chamber music concerts was established in 2000. Our recent initiative has been to offer master classes for the young talented students. “without music, life would be a mistake” Freidrich Nietzsche

Elizabeth Jamison OAM

Camp Creative with Tony Rowley

In the School Holidays from 9-13th January, Camp Creative will be held in Bellingen. At this year's Camp Creative, one of the workshops will be run by our very own BDC music tutor, Mr Tony Rowley. He will be running a workshop on songwriting where students will learn to write their own song on their chosen instrument and have the opportunity to collaborate with others, share their songs and have them recorded. This course is suitable for aspiring musicians interested in songwriting or poetry.

Places are limited, so please book by visiting the following link:

https://campcreative.com.au/co...

Community Choir - Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus

This year, as part of our Christmas Carols Evening, the Performing Arts department are planning on performing the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah. We will be having a number of students, staff, parents and community members joining both the ensemble and the choir. If you would like to be involved, we would love to hear from you. All of the details are in the letter below:

Read the Community Chorus letter. 

Upcoming Dates for your diary

* Thursday 8th December - Primary Presentation Day

* Friday 9th December - Secondary Presentation Day

* Monday 12th December - BDC Christmas Service and Carols Evening

Rebecca Day
Head of Performing Arts