Oxley Christian College offers a diverse range of activities in the Performing Arts, including classroom activities, private instrumental lessons, music ensembles, and multi -year level musicals. Students enjoy these activities in the state-of -the-art facilities provided in the Broadley Performing Arts Centre, which many of them refer to as their ‘second home’.
Parents of students participating in private music lessons, music ensembles, or Senior musicals must subscribe to the Performing Arts tab on the Oxley App, choosing the relevant tabs of Private Music Lessons, Junior Music Ensembles, Senior Music Ensembles, and / or Senior Musicals. The Oxley App will be the main source of communication for all Performing Arts families
Consent2Goemails will be sent to parents when parental permission is required for an activity or event. A notice will be placed on the Oxley App when a Consent2Goemail has been sent.
Emails will be sent to families regarding examinations or any other activities which have specific details for individual students. As these communications relate to specific students only, there will be no message placed on the Oxley App when these emails are sent.
Parents of students undertaking Private Music Lessons will be able to view lesson notes via SEQTA Engage. Private music lesson notes can be found in ‘Assessments’. The instructor will provide information about goals for the year ahead (early in Term 1) and add notes after each week’s lesson. Senior students are also able to view these notes via SEQTA. Junior students do not have access to SEQTA and so will use a Music Diary for their lesson information. (Parents of Junior students can refer to either the SEQTA notes or the Music Diary notes.)
Private music lesson timetables can be viewed on SEQTA. Parents and students can follow the following steps to see the timetables for each term:
1. Select relevant student (if more than one student in family)
2. Select ‘Timetable’.
3. Click on ‘Everything’ (near top of page).
4. Untick ‘Show Classes’ and ‘Show Events’, leaving only ‘Show Tutorials’ ticked
5. Scan through the weeks to see the lessons scheduled
Please note that a message will be placed on the Oxley App when the next term’s timetables are completed. (Note: Music lesson timetabling takes place on the ‘live’ program, and so in the four weeks prior to the end of each term, as the next terms’ timetables are being completed, students and parents will be able to see the timetables being created. Lesson times are not finalised until advised on the Oxley App.)
Once advice has been placed on the Oxley App, please check the timetables in SEQTA and note the lesson times in the student’s school diary. If a lesson changes after the timetable is completed, Junior parents will receive notice of the lesson change via SMS and Senior students will receive advice of the lesson change via Direct Message.
The Broadley Performing Arts Centre, affectionately known as the BPAC, is a fabulous facility for hundreds of Oxley students who love to be involved in music and drama. This state-of-the-art centre comprises an intimate 260 seat auditorium, music rehearsal spaces, drama studios, music technology classrooms and provision for a recording studio. The BPAC is home to students from all year levels, who come together to make music and rehearse for many different performances.
The Broadley Performing Arts Centre (BPAC) is primarily a teaching space used by students, teachers and instructors only. When special events, performances, or information evenings take place, the BPAC auditorium and foyer areas are open to all invited guests.
Parents who need to drop off instruments can leave them at the main Administration Office. Parents who would like to speak to a teacher or instructor are asked to email our Performing Arts Administrator at APeacock@oxley.vic.edu.au to arrange a suitable time.
Students are advised that the BPAC is an out of bounds area before school, during recess and lunch, and after school. Of course, students attending lessons or ensemble rehearsals are able to use the building as scheduled.
Many of our rehearsals take place before or after school and our building is often a hive of activity between 8.00am to 6.00pm. Students attending rehearsals outside school hours are the responsibility of the ensemble teacher or instructor, and are therefore included in the safe environment provided.
The BPAC and its outdoor surrounds are not a suitable place for siblings of ensemble students to wait, unsupervised, for their brother or sister to finish their ensemble rehearsal. As there is no supervision, the school cannot guarantee the safety of these children. Junior students who are found in or outside the BPAC without supervision will be sent to Oxley Kids.
Our fantastic Junior Upper Primary building houses four private instrumental instruction rooms and a Music Storeroom. Our Year 2 Strings Program and our Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7 Instrumental Programs, as well as all of our rehearsals will continue to be undertaken in the BPAC.
We encourage students to bring their instruments to the BPAC or Upper Primary building themselves. Unless a student undertakes all of their regular instrumental practice at school, all students should take their instrument home at the end of the day. Of course, we understand that it is not always convenient to take an instrument home every day, and when this is the case, students should seek permission from the Performing Arts and Events Administrator to leave their instrument in the BPAC or Upper Primary building overnight.
Instruments and music left in the BPAC and Upper Primary building are the responsibility of the student and not of the College.
Parents of students with a Tuba, Guitar, Cello or Double Bass instrument who are undertaking lessons in the BPAC are allowed to park outside the BPAC for their child to drop the instrument off in the morning and for pick-ups in the afternoon on the days the student is bringing their instrument to school.
Please note that students who undertake their lessons in the Upper Primary building will need to take their instrument to the Upper Primary Music Storeroom themselves. Students with all other instruments are asked to be dropped off and picked up as per the normal drop off and pick up procedures advised by the College.
Please note the students with large instruments (Tuba, Guitar, Cello or Double Bass) who attend Oxley Kids after school or after an ensemble rehearsal, must leave their instrument at the BPAC or Upper Primary building and have it collected the following day.
Instruments that are dropped off after students have already arrived at school are to be taken to the main Administration Office. The staff in the office will ensure the instrument is taken to the BPAC or Upper Primary building, as appropriate.
In limited circumstances, the College does offer students the opportunity to hire an instrument at the cost of $120 per term. Availability of instruments for hire can only be determined once instruments have been allocated to classroom students in March.
Music and Drama students are welcome to use the BPAC facilities to practice and rehearse outside school time, lunch times or during VCE Study periods. Students can book a room by advising the Performing Arts and Events Administrator of their requirements on the Friday prior to each week. Priority will be given in the following order:
1. International VCE students studying VCE Drama or VCE Music.
2. All other VCE students
3. Private instrumental students learning through the College
4. Classroom Music or Drama students.
5. Private instrumental students learning outside the College.
6. All other students
Please note that rooms are only allocated to one student at a time, unless an ensemble is rehearsing for a class assessment, and the usual school dress standards and behaviour are always expected when using a rehearsal room.
Administration
The College’s Private Music Program is centrally administered and all new enrolments are initially directed to the Performing Arts and Events Administrator before an instructor is allocated. All enquiries should be directed to the Performing Arts Office. Please note that a place in the program may not be immediately guaranteed and, where the demand for instrumental tuition for a particular musical discipline exceeds the available times, a waiting list will be kept.
For 2025, Oxley Christian College will be offering tuition in:
DISCIPLINE YEAR LEVEL
Piano Year 3 onwards
Woodwind Year 3 onwards
Brass Year 4 onwards
Percussion Year 3 onwards
SPECIALISATION
Clarinet, Flute, Alto Saxophone and Tenor
Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium
Vocal Year 6 onwards Contemporary
Strings Year 3 onwards
Violin, Viola and Cello
Guitar Year 3 onwards Contemporary, Electric and Bass
Theory AMEB Grades 1-7
Please note that all Year 2, Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7 students study instrumental music as part of the classroom music curriculum. The Enrolment Application Form 2025 is required only for private tuition.
INSTRUMENT
EXAMINATION GRADE STRINGS PIANO, WOODWIND, PERCUSSION
The above lesson lengths are recommended by instructors in general. These are recommendations only and may vary for individual students. Please speak to the Performing Arts and Events Administrator if unsure.
Eight lessons are charged on the school account prior to the beginning of each term and payment is made directly to Oxley Christian College. A timetable operates every term with thirty-two lessons being timetabled across the year. Please note that as each term varies in length and scheduled activities, there will not always be eight lessons scheduled each term. Some terms allow more lessons and others less. We aim for thirty-two lessons by the end of the year. The fee structure for 2025 is as follows:
VCE students are likely to need more than thirty-two lessons in each year. Additional lessons and subsequent charges will be agreed with parents before they are scheduled. These additional lessons may fall during school holidays, but will be discussed between the instructor, student, and parents prior to scheduling.
The Oxley Christian College Private Music Program operates during school hours. Students are allocated a day on which they will regularly have their lessons and lessons are rotated on that day throughout the term. Students will miss class time but the rotations will mean they will not miss the same class too often.
(VCE students will be scheduled in their Study periods. Some VCE students may be scheduled during lunch or before or after school, as the timetable permits.) The College does not provide a program out of school hours. If this is desired, we recommend undertaking lessons through an external provider.
Timetables are created in the term prior to lessons and provided to students prior to the commencement of each term. Although private music lessons are scheduled around activities in the calendar, there may be some instances where lessons need to be changed, such as a change in the calendar or classroom assessments. If a student needs to reschedule a lesson due to an upcoming assessment, they must inform the Performing Arts and Events Administrator as soon as they know about the clash.
Changes will not be made to private instrumental lessons unless required by the classroom teacher or as a result of calendar changes. Once scheduled, private music lessons will not be changed around appointments or student absences.
Changes to Junior student’s lessons will be communicated with parents via SMS. Changes to Senior student’s lessons will be communicated to students via Direct Message. In some instances, changes to lessons may result in two lessons scheduled in one week. Students must make themselves available for this.
If a student is going to be away for an extended period of time, we recommend the student withdraws from lessons for the term (or terms) of the absence. This may result in the student losing their place on the timetable and they will have to reapply for lessons, if desired, when they return. Alternatively, parents may decide to keep their child on the timetable and forfeit the lessons missed while absent.
The College encourages students to pursue excellence in everything they do. There is the expectation that they will be committed to home practice. The student’s family is asked to support them in their practising, as well as to provide a suitable instrument. Instrumental instructors can advise parents on instrument brands.
All students enrolled in the instrumental program are expected to be involved in an ensemble as soon as the student reaches the appropriate level of performance. It is essential that parents encourage consistent attendance of rehearsals. Students who neglect to consistently attend their allocated ensemble rehearsals may be ineligible to continue in the College Private Music Program.
A Music Diary is issued to each Junior student at the beginning of the year. The charge for this Music Diary is placed on the student’s account. Music books and other accessories are ordered for students through the College. Students are required to sign the receipt for these items and charges are placed on the student’s account. Students must bring their Music Diary, instrument and music books to every lesson. If a student forgets to bring any of these to school on the day of their lesson, their lesson will still go ahead. The College may be able to loan an instrument to the student, or otherwise, a Theory lesson will be provided.
It is the responsibility of the student or parent to inform the Performing Arts & Events Administrator if the student is unable to attend a scheduled lesson. If the lesson is missed because of a school event, such as an excursion or test, where possible the lesson will be made up at another time.
Once a student is accepted into the College Private Music Program, it is expected that the student will make that commitment for the whole year. Should a student choose to discontinue their tuition in the following term, the parent must email the Performing Arts and Events Administrator at least six weeks prior to the end of the previous term, otherwise one term’s fees in lieu of notice will be charged. Once timetables have been completed (which is usually by the last week of the previous term), there can be no refund of fees for that term.
We encourage our private music students in Year 4 and above and who have been learning for a year or more, to perform at one of our Soiree evenings each year. Our Soiree evenings are a less formal concert in which the students have an opportunity to gain performance skills.
Eight concerts are held on four evenings throughout the year with a junior student concert at 6.00pm and the second senior student concert at 7.30pm. Each concert usually lasts between 60 and 90 minutes.
Performance at Soiree concerts are an important part of each student’s learning on their instrument. Soirees give students a goal to aim for, they provide an opportunity to practice performing in front of an audience, students learn how to conduct themselves on stage, how to perform through nerves, and for many, they also learn how to work with an accompanist. In addition to these skills, students also get the opportunity to learn how to be a polite audience member and they can encourage their peers. For many families, Soirees are also an opportunity to invite extended family and friends to watch their children perform in a slightly less formal setting.
In 2025 our Soiree evenings are on the following dates:
• Thursday 5 June
• Thursday 4 September
• Monday 20 October
• Wednesday 22 October
Dates are selected for each student by their instructor, and are based upon each student’s progress in their learning cycle (often also reflected around when they sit examinations). Where possible, siblings will be placed on the same evening, but please be aware, this may not always be possible.
All private instrumental students are encouraged to enter music examinations. The two most used examination centres by our College are AMEB for all instruments and SCSM (St Ceclia School of Music) for string students. We do also consider entry into other examination centres if requested by parents. Parents will be advised which syllabus, grade, and anticipated entry timeframe your child will be aiming for, in Term 1.
Working towards examinations gives students a goal to aim for. The examination syllabus also provides a step-bystep framework for the development of skills on the chosen instrument. The final result and report from the examiners also provide feedback for students, instructors and parents. Students are encouraged and feel a sense of achievement for all the effort they have put in.
We understand some students may not want to participate in the examination process. We ask parents to communicate this to instructors at the start of the school year. Students who do not participate in examinations will still use the same step-by-step framework for the development of skills. Once their instructor considers the student to have achieved the skill level desired for the grade they are working on, a private performance with the instructor or another instructor will be arranged before the student moves on to the next grade. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide a feedback report without an official examination taking place.
Students who undertake examinations through AMEB will need to be taken to their examination. Most AMEB examinations are undertaken at the Victorian AMEB centre in Hawthorn. Sometimes alternate locations are also provided. Details of examination location, dates and times will be provided to individual students and families as they are enrolled in their examination. AMEB examinations usually take place on week days (during school time).
Students who undertake examinations through SCSM sit their examination in the BPAC. These are usually undertaken on a student free day, Saturday, and sometimes a Friday evening. Once again, details of the examination date and time will be provided to individual students and families as they are enrolled in their examination.
Students are encouraged to wear performance attire when sitting their examination. We encourage them to dress as if performing on stage. This is particularly important as some types of examinations provide marks for attire.
Most students will need accompaniment for their examination. (Percussion, Piano and Guitar students do not need accompaniment.) Oxley can provide an accompaniment service for an additional charge, but this is an option and
families are welcome to seek an accompanist outside the College. Parents will be provided details of accompaniment rehearsals required and the charges for these when permission is given for enrolment into the examination. Generally, accompaniment rehearsals take place in the BPAC on Saturdays.
Please note that once a student is enrolled in an examination the examination centres do not provide a refund if the student withdraws from the examination (even due to injury or health). Application can be made directly with the examination centre to transfer the fee to a later examination date.
As part of their ongoing skill development, students undertaking private music lessons are invited, and strongly encouraged, to join an appropriate ensemble as soon as their instructor determines they are at the desired skill level. Ensemble rehearsals not only enhance the student’s ability on their chosen instrument, but are also a fun environment in which they can share a love of music with their likeminded friends. Rehearsals are also highly educational, and instructors can only teach knowledge and skills relevant to performing in an ensemble during these rehearsals. Our ensembles often have several opportunities to perform for family and friends throughout the year.
Students will be invited to join ensembles through via email. Parents will be asked to respond to the email with their permission before a student can attend ensemble rehearsals. The following is a list of ensembles available for students to participate in during 2025:
Choirs and Vocals
Cherub Choir Year 3 – 4 students
Junior Vocal
Choir Year 7 – 12 students
Vocal Ensemble Year 7 – 9 students
8.15am – 8.45am
Senior Vocal Ensemble Year 10 – 12 Auditioned Friday 3.45pm – 5.00pm Strings
Andante Year 3 students*
5 – 6*
Years 5 – 6*
Sinfonia Years 7 – 12*
Monday 3.45pm – 4.30pm
–
– 5.00pm Cantabile Years 7 – 9*
3.45pm – 5.00pm Camerata Years 10 - 12*
Junior Concert Band Year 5 – 6 students
Concert Band Year 7 – 12 students*
Sforzando Year 7 – 12 students*
Forte Year 7 – 12 students*
Vivace Year 5 -6
Frozen Jr. Selected Year 7 - 9 Students
Tuned Percussion
3.45pm – 5.00pm
– 1.50pm
8.00am – 8.30am
Friday 8.00am – 8.30am
– 4.30pm
3.45pm – 5.00pm
*Students learning an instrument outside the College are welcome to be part of these ensembles.
Once committed to an ensemble, students are expected to attend every rehearsal and attendance is marked on a roll Consistent attendance ensures the ensemble can work together toward preparing performance items Inconsistent attendance of one or more students makes it difficult for the ensemble to progress to a performance standard. This is unfair to the majority of ensemble students who attend regularly.
We understand on some occasions a student may be unwell and unable to attend a rehearsal. When this occurs, parents are asked to email the Performing Arts and Events Administrator at APeacock@oxley.vic.edu.au to advise their child will not be attending the rehearsal. If a student becomes unwell at school, the College Fist Aid Coordinator will advise the Performing Arts & Events Administrator if the student is sent home.
Ensemble attendance is marked each week Parents will be advised if their child is not at a rehearsal if no advice has been given that a student will not be attending.
Please note that students who miss three rehearsals in a term without written notice from a parent, may be asked to withdraw from the ensemble.
In some instances, VCE students may be able to make special arrangements with their ensemble instructor regarding which rehearsals they need to attend.
Ensemble students are expected to be available for all performances their ensemble is involved in. Parts are allocated to students within an ensemble, with the expectation that all students will be available to perform. Sometimes a very small number of students share the same part, and if one or two are missing, the part is incomplete and the whole item is compromised.
It is imperative that all students attend the last rehearsal before a performance It is during this rehearsal that students receive final instructions on what they are playing, and when and where to meet and unpack instruments The ensemble instructor is unable to brief individual students on these details immediately before a performance. Students may be asked to miss a performance if they have not attended the required rehearsals or do not have the information and equipment needed to perform.
Ensemble students are responsible for ensuring they bring their own instrument to a performance It is not the College’s responsibility to transport student’s instruments to a performance venue (unless the instrument being used belongs to the College and normally stays in the BPAC each day).
Dates for 2025 ensemble performances are listed at the end of this section (Please note that additional performances at our SchoolatWorkmornings, Assemblies and Chapels may be added to this list.)
Information, with details regarding rehearsals and performances, will be sent home prior to each performance.
EVENT DATE TIME ENSEMBLES INVOLVED
SCSM String Examinations Saturday 29 April 9.00am – 5.00pm Selected string students
Open Day Saturday 3 May 10.30am – 2.30pm All music ensemble students
Ensemble Photos Tuesday 6 May 8.30am – 4.00pm All music ensemble students
Music Camp Thursday 8 May –Saturday 10 May 9.00am – 3.30pm All Senior music ensemble students
VCE Unit 1 & 3 Music Concert Thursday 29 May 7.00pm – 9.00pm VCE Music Students
Soiree Evening 1 Thursday 5 June 6.00pm (Juniors) 7.30pm (Seniors) Selected private instrumental students
Senior Ensemble Evening Thursday 19 June 7.00pm – 9.00pm All Senior music ensembles
Senior Music Assembly Monday 23 June 8.00am – 10.00am All Senior music ensembles
Junior Ensemble Evening Wednesday 25 June 7.00pm – 8.30pm All Junior music ensembles
SCSM String Examinations Saturday 28 June 9.00am – 5.00pm Selected string students
Frozen Jnr Performances Thursday 14 –Friday 15 August
Frozen Jnr Performances Saturday 16 August
Soiree Evening 2 Thursday 4 September
7.30pm – 9.00pm ‘Frozen Jnr’ Cast
3.00pm – 4.30pm & 7.00pm – 8.30pm ‘Frozen Jnr’ Cast
6.00pm (Juniors) 7.30pm (Seniors) Selected private instrumental students
Junior Production Wednesday 10 & Thursday 11 September TBA All Junior students
SCSM String Examinations Saturday 13 September 9.00am – 5.00pm Selected string students
Senior Ensemble Gala Concert Thursday 18 September 7.00pm – 9.00pm All Senior music ensembles
VCE Unit 4 Concert
Music Performance Thursday 9 October 7.00pm – 9.00pm Unit 4 Music Students
Festival of the Arts Friday 10 October 5.00pm – 8.00pm Selected Junior and Senior Ensembles
Soiree Evening 3 Monday 20 October
6.00pm (Juniors) 7.30pm (Seniors)
Soiree Evening 4 Wednesday 22 October 6.00pm (Juniors) 7.30pm (Seniors)
VCE Unit 2 Concert Monday 27 October & Tuesday 28 October 1.00pm – 1.30pm
Year 5
Instrumental Concert
Year 6
Instrumental Concert
Year 7
Instrumental Concert
SCSM String Examinations
Wednesday 5 November 6.00pm – 7.00pm
Wednesday 5 November 7.30pm – 8.45pm
Thursday 6 November 7.00pm – 8.45pm
Selected private instrumental students
Selected private instrumental students
VCE Unit 2 Students
Year 5 students, Concert Band
Year 6 students, Concert Band
Year 7 students, Sinfonia and Senior Concert Band
Saturday 15 November 9.00am – 5.00pm Selected string students
Year 2 Strings Concerts Tuesday 18 November TBA
Junior Open Strings Rehearsal
Presentation Evening Rehearsals
Year 2 Strings students, Andante
Wednesday 19 November 3.45pm – 5.00pm Cabaletta, Ostinato, and Malaguena
Friday 21 November to Tuesday 2 December 8.00am – 5.00pm
Presentation Evening Tuesday 2 December 8.00pm – 10.30pm
All Senior ensemble students to be available
All Senior ensemble students to be available
Students in Senior Choir, Concert Band and Sinfonia are usually asked to be available to perform at Presentation Evening Intensive rehearsals for the Presentation Evening performance will take place from Friday 21 November through until the rehearsal at the venue on Tuesday 2 December. Students in Senior Choir, Concert Band, and Sinfonia are asked to make themselves available for these rehearsals, which may be scheduled from 8.00am until 5.00pm on any of the days during this period Year 12 ensemble students are asked to consider these dates when planning time away after their examinations.
All ensemble students are expected to adhere to the same expectations in behaviour at rehearsals as during the school day No phones are allowed, and students are to continue to encourage each other and be respectful of their instructor
Students should be on time to their ensemble rehearsal, unpacked, tuned and ready to start at their ensemble starting time. It is also always important that students practise their ensemble pieces during the week and know their part for the next rehearsal.
Please note that string students who have a full-size instrument must keep a spare set of strings in their case.
Oxley Christian College Music Camp offers young musicians from our Senior Choir, Concert Band and Sinfonia ensembles three days of music excitement In 2025 Music Camp will be held over three days from Thursday 8 May to Saturday 10 May at Lyrebird Park Camp in Yellingbo
Students are able to participate in extensive rehearsal sessions and there will be sectional rehearsals for all ensembles. The camp provides students with the opportunity to learn ensemble music that will be presented to our school and local community in concerts and performances later in the year.
The camp is also a time of building friendships and learning to work with each other. When not focused on music, students relax with friends and participate in sports and recreational activities. We know from past students that their experiences on Music Camp form some of their fondest school memories.
Information is sent home prior to the camp, detailing what students will need to bring to camp and arrangements for pick up.
Oxley Christian College performs a musical once every second year. Our Senior musical is usually announced in August and students in Years 7 – 11 are invited to audition for the following year. Rehearsals begin at the start of the following year through to the performance, which is held in August.
On the alternate year, Oxley performs a Middle Years Production. Students from Years 7 – 9 perform in this production.
In 2025 our Middle Years production will be Frozen Jnr. Auditions will take place at various times between Tuesday 11 February and Tuesday 18 February. There will also be opportunities for students to volunteer for various crews later in the year.
Four shows will be held on the following dates:
• Thursday 14 August (7.30pm)
• Friday 15 August (7.30pm)
• Saturday 16 August (3.00pm)
• Saturday 16 August (7.00pm)
Rehearsals will take place on Tuesday afternoons, 3.45pm – 5.00pm, from Week 5 of Term 1. In addition to our regular weekly rehearsals there will also be rehearsals held on the following weekends, school holidays and additional days.
• Saturday 15 March (9.00am – 5.00pm)
• Saturday 29 March (9.00am – 5.00pm)
• Saturday 24 May (9.00am – 5.00pm)
• Saturday 21 June (9.00am – 5.00pm)
• Thursday 24 July (9.00am - 4.00pm)
• Friday 25 July (9.00am – 4.00pm)
• Saturday 9 August (9.00am – 5.00pm)
• Tuesday 12 August Technical Rehearsal (12.00pm – 8.30pm)
• Wednesday 13 August Dress Rehearsal (7.30am – 4.00pm)
Cast members are expected to available for all set rehearsals. It is important to note that not all cast members will be required at each rehearsal as scene rehearsals will be split between the various times, but availability is expected.
We offer students many opportunities to develop in the Performing Arts. Classes are held in our beautiful Broadley Performing Arts Centre. All students in Prep to Year 6 participate in both Music and Drama classes as part of their classroom curriculum.
All students in Year 2 will have the opportunity to learn to play a string instrument (Violin, Viola or Cello). Students are taught their chosen stringed instrument in small groups and in a full class ensemble. Parents are invited to attend performances to witness their child’s musical development.
All students in Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7 will have the opportunity to learn to play a Woodwind, Brass or Percussion instrument as part of their classroom curriculum. New students to the College in Year 7 will also have the option to choose a string instrument. Students perform with their chosen instrument in a concert at the end of the year.
All students in Year 7 participate in both Music and Drama classes as part of their classroom curriculum In addition to their classroom music, students in Year 7 study an instrument from the brass, woodwind, percussion or strings families These students perform with their chosen instrument in a concert at the end of the year.
In Year 8 through to Year 12, students are able to select Music and Drama classes by elective and may choose to study VCE Music (Performance) or Drama in Year 11 and 12. Students have several performance opportunities in many of these classes.
VCE Music (Performance) is suited to students who wish to develop both performance and musicianship capabilities. Units 1 to 4 aims to broaden and enrich students’ musical experience, to assist students to develop personal awareness of the expressive and aesthetic qualities of music and to encourage a life-long engagement with music and music making.
In this unit students explore and develop their understanding of how music is organised. By performing, creating, analysing and responding to music works that exhibit different approaches, students explore and develop their understanding of the possibilities of musical organisation. They prepare and perform ensemble and/or solo musical works to develop technical control, expression and stylistic understanding on their chosen instrument/sound source.
In this unit, students focus on the way music can be used to create an intended effect. By performing, analysing and responding to music works/examples that create different effects, students explore and develop their understanding of the possibilities of how effect can be created. Through creating their own music, they reflect this exploration and understanding. Students prepare and perform ensemble and/or solo musical works to develop technical control, expression and stylistic understanding using their chosen instrument/sound source.
This study is designed for students whose musical interests are grounded in the recreation and interpretation of
notated musical works, and who wish to gain and share knowledge of musical styles and performance practices. Students may present on any instrument for which there is an established repertoire of notated works. They work towards a recital program that demonstrates highly developed technical skills and stylistic refinement as both a soloist and as an ensemble member. They develop the capacity for critical evaluations of their performances and those of others, and an ability to articulate their performance decisions with musical evidence and independence of thought. Students identify technical, expressive and stylistic challenges relevant to works they are preparing for performance and endeavour to address these challenges. They listen and respond to a wide range of music by a variety of performers and study music language concepts such as scales, harmony and rhythmic materials.
Unit 1: Introducing Performance Styles and Contemporary Drama Practices
In this unit students study three or more performance styles from a range of social, historical, contemporary and cultural contexts. They examine the traditions of storytelling and devise performances telling stories that go beyond representations of reality. They incorporate and/or juxtapose a number of performance styles to make dramatic statements and create performances that are innovative, transformational and contemporary. They learn about contemporary drama practices that incorporate a range of conventions and devices for making dramatic works. Students use creative processes and play-making techniques to consider the specific purpose and intention of performance styles, and how conventions of those styles can be used in the work they devise and create for an audience. This unit focuses on creating, presenting and analysing a devised ensemble performance that includes real and/or imagined characters and is based on stimulus material that reflects personal, cultural and/or community experiences and stories. Such stimulus material could include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’ stories, perspectives or experiences. This unit also involves analysis of a student’s own devised work, and the analysis of work by professional drama practitioners and performers.
In this unit, students study aspects of Australian identity by engaging with contemporary drama practices as artists and as audiences. Students explore the work of selected contemporary drama practitioners, including Australian practitioners, and their associated performance styles. They focus on the application and documentation of playmaking techniques involved in constructing a devised solo performance. Students create, present and analyse a performance they devise based on any of the following: a person, an event, an issue, a place, an artwork, a piece of music, a text or an icon from a contemporary or historical Australian context. In creating a performance, students engage with stimulus material to extract ideas and possibilities that allow them to explore an aspect or aspects of Australian identity, which could include engaging with the experiences and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, colonial Australians, migrants, refugees, and/or urban and rural communities. They examine selected performance styles in relation to contemporary drama practices and explore the associated conventions, including those of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and practitioners, and the broader diversity of Australian stories. Students further develop their knowledge of the conventions of transformation of character, time and place; the application of symbol, and how these conventions may be manipulated to create meaning in performance. They explore, develop and apply dramatic elements and production areas. They consider the sustainable sourcing and ethical use of materials when applying production areas. Students analyse and evaluate their own performance work as well as undertaking an analysis and evaluation of a performance of an Australian work by professional actors, and develop an understanding of relevant drama terminology.
Unit 3: Devised Ensemble Performance
In this unit, students explore the work of a range of drama practitioners and draw on contemporary drama practices as they devise ensemble performance work. Students explore performance styles and associated conventions from a diverse range of contemporary and/or historical contexts. They work collaboratively to devise, develop and present an ensemble performance. Students create work that reflects a specific performance style or one that draws on conventions of, or makes reference to, multiple performance styles. They use play-making techniques to extract and develop dramatic potential from stimulus material, then apply and manipulate conventions, dramatic elements, expressive skills, performance skills and production areas. Throughout the devising process, they experiment with transformation of character, time and place, and application of symbol. Students devise and shape their work to communicate meaning and to have a specific impact on their audience. They learn about ways to source and use sustainable materials when applying production areas to their ensemble performance. In addition, students document and evaluate the play-making techniques applied in the creation, development and presentation of the
ensemble performance. Students attend, analyse and evaluate a live professional drama performance selected from the prescribed VCE Drama Unit 3 Playlist published annually on the VCAA website.
This unit focuses on the development and presentation of devised solo work and performances. It builds on knowledge and skills attained in relation to drama practices that draw on a range of performance styles and associated conventions from a diverse range of contemporary and historical contexts. These contexts focus on nonrealistic styles and structures, including non-linear narratives. Students develop skills in exploring and extracting dramatic potential from stimulus material and use play-making techniques to develop and present a short solo demonstration. Students further experiment with application of symbol and transformation of character, time and place; they also apply conventions, dramatic elements, expressive skills, performance skills and aspects of performance styles to shape and give meaning to their work. Students further develop and refine these skills as they create, develop and refine a performance in response to a prescribed structure selected from the VCE Drama solo performance examination. They consider the use of production areas to enhance their performance and consider how the production areas selected can be sustainably sourced and applied. Students document and evaluate the stages involved in the creation, development and presentation of their solo performance.
