Arts

Performing Arts

Huge numbers at Senior School Musical auditions

Haileybury recently witnessed a remarkable display of passion, determination and skill, with 110 students from City, Brighton, Berwick and Keysborough auditioning for our upcoming musical, The Addams Family. This was the largest audition in our Senior School history and showcased an extraordinary array of singing, dancing and acting talents.

The auditions were a four-part process, beginning with an inclusive whole-company workshop where each participant sang, acted and danced in mini workshops run by the production team. This allowed everyone to demonstrate their skills.

This was followed by lead role auditions where 83 students showcased impressive dedication and talent. The high calibre of these auditions was evident in the open-format call-backs that gave a glimpse of the preparation and commitment of our students.

As we eagerly await the cast announcement, there is a palpable excitement about bringing the spooky, kooky world of the Addams Family to our stage. This production will be a game-changer thanks to the enthusiasm of our students and dedicated production team.

Congratulations to all who auditioned and a huge thanks to our production team for orchestrating such a supportive and inclusive process.

Honouring excellence in education

Jane Marshall, a distinguished Haileybury teacher, was honoured as the recipient of the 'Inaugural Award for Innovative Teaching Practice in VCE'. Nominated by her colleague, Philippa Bell, Jane received this accolade at the Drama Victoria Conference. She was celebrated for her innovative and practical teaching methods in drama, her adept use of technology, contemporary analytical approaches, and profound subject knowledge. Her nomination and subsequent award recognition are sources of great pride for all associated with her.

Nick Waxman
Head of Drama and Theatre Studies

Music

A musical round-up

This year has been an extremely successful year for the Instrumental Music Department, and I hope it has been rewarding for students and parents. From a Music Department perspective, the high level of engagement and artistic growth throughout the year has been most pleasing.

For Senior School, highlights include the Twilight Concert, Aria Night, Haileybury Top Class, the VCAA Top Class series, SpongeBob the Musical, Concerto Night, Jazz Nights at MEMO Hall, Haileybury in Concert at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Chamber in the Chapel and Senior School Speech Night.

At Middle School, the standout performance of the year was undoubtedly the Combined Spring Concerts. With Aikman Hall at near capacity for two concerts in one afternoon, a combined audience of more than 1,500 guests enjoyed performances by our One-Haileybury concert band, string orchestra, choir, guitar orchestra and percussion ensemble. In addition to campus-based events held at the end of Term Two, all large ensembles have also featured at speech night ceremonies.

At the Junior School, the recent String Concert series demonstrated what can be achieved when an outstanding department combines with an abundance of Junior School enthusiasm.

There were countless other performances across 2023. Hundreds of students participated in soirees, completed AMEB exams, performed in lunchtime concerts and performed in assemblies.

The Department’s final performance event for 2023 will be Haileybury Carols this Friday, 8 December at Scots’ Church in Melbourne. It would be wonderful to see as many families as possible celebrate Christmas in a sharing, culturally diverse way to end the school year. The event will run from 7.00 pm – 8.15 pm. I strongly encourage families to arrive by 6.30 pm to avoid traffic and parking congestion.

Well done to everyone and thanks for a most enjoyable year!

Rod Marshall
Director of Performing Arts & Head of Haileybury Music

Ngaire Thomson
Head of Visual Arts Senior School

Pipes & Drums

A festive wrap-up to 2023

Last Saturday marked a special occasion for the Haileybury Pipes & Drums as they hosted their festive wrap-up event. The band, fresh from a year of remarkable achievements, played to a crowd of nearly one hundred parents.

Pieces included familiar melodies such as ‘Silver Threads’, the ‘Drum Fanfare’ and the ‘Blue Bells of Scotland’. The combined group performance comprising of players from all bands of the program was a reminder of the band’s growing numbers and future talent.

2023 has been a triumphant year for the Haileybury Pipes & Drums and the most successful year in the program with the introduction of the newly formed C Band and winning state, national and even world titles. The band’s success is not just a testament to their skill, but to the commitment and hard work of each member.

At this joyous event, it was important to extend a heartfelt thank you to the dedicated staff and supportive parents. Their unwavering support and encouragement have been instrumental to the band’s success. As we celebrated with some delicious food, the sense of community and shared achievement was palpable.

A big thank you to Susan Carollo (President of the Friends – Pipes & Drums) and the parents committee for putting on such a fantastic lunch.

The event was not just a reflection of the past but a nod to the future. The band is eagerly looking forward to the upcoming Speech Nights and the 2024 competition season. They are set to debut new music which they have been diligently working on and that promises to add more laurels to their already impressive achievements.

Lincoln Hilton
Director, Pipes & Drums