Theatre and Music

  

The performing arts are an integral and vibrant part of College life. St Leonard's College offers a wide ranging performing arts program.

 

Students are encouraged to develop performance skills within the core and cocurricular programs available. Excellence is achieved within a supportive environment that provides diverse opportunities and acknowledges the roles of tradition and innovation.

 

Students can develop their musical and performance skills through the Junior Strings Program that is available at years 3 and 4, as well as in the instrumental program offered at years 7 and 8. Years 5 and 6 students follow a performing arts program that combines music, drama and dance.

 

The College offers a comprehensive range of senior level subjects, including VCE Performance (Units 1, 2, 3 & 4), VCE Music Styles (Units 1, 2, 3 & 4), IB Standard and Higher level music, plus University Music Enhancement with Monash University.

 

Private and shared music and drama lessons are available from a skilled range of performance practitioners. AMEB examinations and a series of recitals provide performance goals for students.

 

A wide selection of choral and instrumental ensembles, including Stage, Symphonic and Concert Bands, String and Chamber Ensembles and Middle, Senior and Chamber Choirs.

 

A significant number of theatre and musical theatre productions are staged each year, including the International Baccalaureate, Upper School and Middle School Productions. Students may also perform in theatre sports and year 5 and 6 musical productions.

 

More recent College Performing Arts events include Little Shop of Horrors, Children of Eden, Honk!, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Cosi The Boyfriend, The Wiz, Les Miserables, In to the Woods, Cyrano de Bergerac, Camille, Seussical, Circus Mamma Mia, Evita, Chess, West Side Story, Godspell, Annie and Oliver!.

 

The College calendar is filled with a rich variety of musical performances including a series of instrumental music recitals, brass concert, woodwind concert, strings concert and big bands concert. One of the most valuable aspects of the cocurricular performing arts program is the tradition of student leadership. House Music Captains have the prestigious task of organising, leading and conducting their House in the annual House Music competition, which is performed at Plenary Hall, Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

 

Performing Arts leaders (drama, dance, band, strings and choir) work in collaboration with staff in the management and promotion of the variety of cocurricular ensembles, concerts and productions throughout the school year.