Performing Arts
Hard Candy
On Thursday, 23 March and Friday, 24 March, the 2023 Theatre Studies class will present the result of this term’s work with their major live performance assessment. With support from their teacher, the students have created a mini production company to research, conceive, plan, direct, design, rehearse and produce Hard Candy by Jonathan Rand.
“Some jobseekers will do anything to claw their way up the corporate ladder. In a fast-paced series of hilarious interviews, the new recruits try every trick in the book — from bribery, nepotism and the Old Boy Network to blackmail, seduction and mind control.”
Laugh, cry and think
On Wednesday, 8 March and Thursday, 9 March, the cast and creative team of Brainstorm, led by Jane Marshall, performed to packed audiences at Chapel off Chapel in Prahran. The play was created by Ned Glasier, Emily Lim and Company Three — formerly Islington Community Theatre — in collaboration with neuroscientists, Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore and Dr Kate Mills.
The play is designed to be performed by teenagers and to draw directly on their personal experience, and this production beautifully reflected the lives and experiences of young people. It gave the audience special insight into the hopes, anxieties, thoughts and feelings of the skilled cast.
A beautiful set design framed this wonderful production and incorporated elements of cine-theatre, live music, audience participation and a beautifully moving climax — there was not a dry eye in the house. This play was something incredibly special.
Congratulations to the cast, crew and creative team for delivering such a powerful and thought-provoking show.
SPONGEBOB on sale!
Nick Waxman
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies
Music
Twilight Concert
Senior School music students are looking forward to their first major concert of the year and the anticipation that comes with performing to a large audience at the Twilight Concert was evident at rehearsals last week.
If you are free on Thursday, 30 March, please come to the Senior School Quadrangle at Keysborough between 6.00 pm – 7.30 pm to hear our Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Haileybury Singers, Viva-Voce, Symphony Orchestra, Contemporary Singers, String Orchestra, Senior Brass Ensemble, Guitar Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble and Stage Band.
Held within a relaxed outdoor setting, entry to the Twilight Concert is free, no ticket is needed, and light refreshments are provided.
The concert repertoire will have a popular focus to appeal to all ages.
If you’ve never attended a Senior School concert before, I warmly invite you to come along and enjoy the skills of our talented students.
Two Top Class Haileyburians
In the same week as the Twilight Concert, Ethan Myers and Harry Marshall will be featured performers at the VCAA Top Class Concerts at Melbourne Recital Centre. Ethan (Year 12) achieved a perfect score for his recital examination in 2022 and will perform Afro Blue by Mongo Santamaria. An outstanding percussionist, Ethan will be accompanied by piano tutor, David Dower.
Harry (OHA 2022) also achieved the maximum score in his performance examination and will perform Opus Pocus by Jaco Pastorius. Harry will be accompanied by Daragh Rodrigues (saxophone, Year 12), Marcus Beyer (keyboard, Year 12) and Sean McLeod (drum tutor and Head of Percussion).
Being selected for Top Class places both students within the top 0.5% of the state.
Tickets to the concert series usually sell out within hours but it is anticipated the event will be livestreamed.
Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music
Visual Arts
Art Making and Exhibiting excursions
Art Making and Exhibiting combines students’ own art making processes with an in-depth study of the art industry, focusing on how galleries and other exhibition spaces operate and exhibit artworks. Students learn the differences between public, commercial, independent, artist-run and alternative spaces and visit as many of these as possible throughout Units 1–4.
In Term 1, Unit 1 students visited THE LUME to see the Monet & Friends exhibition. It took them on a spellbinding journey through the vibrant world of French Impressionism. The exhibition was daring and uplifting, much like the works of the Impressionists themselves.
In the afternoon, we visited the Victorian Artists Society in East Melbourne to view their Summer Exhibition that showcases work by the VAS members. Students were then treated to a watercolour painting workshop with Julian Bruere, a dynamic and enthusiastic artist and teacher who inspired our students to tap into their creativity and explore the world of watercolour painting.
The biomorphic painting workshop saw students introduced to the principles of biomorphic art and they were guided to create their own pieces. The students practised artistic techniques using watercolour painting skills to explore organic and natural imagery.
The Unit 3 students also visited THE LUME and were given a comprehensive overview of the day-to-day workings of this world-class space by Head of Operations, Production and Technical Services, Neil Moir Webster.
The students then explored how the Monet & Friends exhibition was curated and choreographed to be a complete sensory experience — from the classical music paired with the projected artworks and close-ups of brushstrokes to the custom-designed scent intended to evoke the colour blue and to represent the water that fascinated Monet.
A walk along Southbank deepened the students’ appreciation of the integration of artworks into public spaces before we explored the Flinders Lane Gallery. To end the day, students explored the ground-breaking Alexander McQueen exhibition at the NGV.
These excursions provided students with a comprehensive and immersive learning experience that deepened their understanding and appreciation of many artists’ art making and the diversity of practices that galleries use for exhibiting. They appreciated the art in a unique and meaningful way, and we look forward to sharing more enriching experiences like this in the future!
Rachelle Rae
Head of Visual Arts Senior School
Pipes & Drums
The Biggest Playdate
On Sunday, 5 March, the Pipes & Drums had the privilege of performing at The Biggest Playdate. The event raises awareness and funds for children treated at Monash Children’s Cancer Centre and it was a huge success.
The carnival atmosphere was perfect for families to come together and enjoy rides and games, including a rock climbing wall, chair-o-plane and spinning teacups. Classic snags, hot coffee and sweet treats were also on offer throughout the day.
The Pipes & Drums performance was a highlight of the event and was the debut of our newly formed C Band who captivated the audience with their new repertoire. The junior group of pipers and drummers was led by senior A Band Leaders, Captain of Pipes Hemakshi Gupta (Year 12), Pipe Major Jennifer Short (Year 12) and Pipe Corporal Jessie Sun (Year 10).
The band marched through the event before ending the show on stage and added to the energetic and lively atmosphere.
Event organisers and the audience were thrilled with the Pipes & Drums performance, and it was a beautiful sight to see families tapping their feet and swaying to the music — all for a good cause.
Lincoln Hilton
Director, Pipes & Drums
