DANCE

Dance Academy

Our Dance Academy students have commenced their units on Lyrical and Jazz dance. This semester they will work on three tasks; performance, choreography and responding. In our performance task the team has learned a Lyrical and Jazz routine that they will perform at two eisteddfods this term. The students have been working hard on their expressive skills and communicating meaning in their dance routine. We wish them all the best for the Ipswich Performers Dance Festival next week!

7 Dance

We have loved getting to know our new grade 7 classes for this semester! Grade 7 Dance are coming to the conclusion of their theory unit. Students now have a wealth of knowledge on the elements and dance ready for their exam in which they will analyse and evaluate an unseen dance routine. They will begin their practical unit with some very excited students ready to get moving!  Students will have to show perseverance in the dance room to learn their performance, as well as building confidence in order to perform in front of their peers.

10 Dance

Year 10 dance students are diving into an exciting new unit, exploring the world of contemporary dance with a darker edge. This term, the focus is on a compelling contemporary piece that delves into intense, emotive themes. As students work to perfect their performance, they will be honing their expressive skills, which will be a key component of their assessment. Through this unit, they will not only develop technical proficiency but also learn how to convey deeper emotions and narratives through movement. This exploration promises to be a transformative experience, challenging students to push their creative boundaries and connect more profoundly with their art.

Certificate II Dance

Our Certificate II students are onto their final two projects of the course! Students have been eagerly working through their theoretical work to be signed off on their competencies. They have just learnt all about basic street dance techniques and will now apply this knowledge for their Artistic Performance project where students will create a street dance performance. Students are to be involved in the music selection, costume, lighting and choreographic process as they document problems and assign group member roles.

11 Dance

Year 11 Dance are in the depths of their largest task of the year. Students are in the creative process of choregraphing contemporary routines to be filmed on locations of their choice that communicate the meaning of acceptance, inclusion or diversity. Students have been workshopping effective camera angles and how these enhance meaning in their routine. Up next they take on the task of editing this all together to create a cohesive dance on film.

12 Dance

Year 12 dance students are wrapping up their academic year with a dynamic and creative final project before they embark on their external exam preparation. This culmination of their studies challenges them to craft a unique fusion of two distinct dance styles, blending elements to create a cohesive and expressive choreography. The project emphasizes not only technical skill but also the importance of communicating a personal message through dance. As students prepare to present their work, they are encouraged to explore how the integration of styles can enhance their narrative, offering audiences a deeper connection to their individual experiences and artistic vision. This final project serves as both a testament to their growth and a showcase of their ability to innovate and convey meaningful messages through movement.

DRAMA

8 Drama

This term year 8 students are exploring Australian Indigenous Theatre while developing their acting skills in vocal expression and physical manipulation in order to believably portray a role. Understanding the elements of drama and transforming this knowledge into a practical performance, assists students in their ability to create dramatic meaning while engaging an audience. Students are enjoying the play text 'Honey Spot' as it follows the story of two teenage students who strike up a friendship that is void of any judgement. It explores themes of racism and reconciliation, providing moments where students can connect to the characters experiences. Students are working towards a performance task which will showcase their acting skills and ability to engage an audience. 

12 Drama

Year 12 Drama students are concluding their final year with an incredible performance before diving into their external exam preparation. For Drama students, they have taken a heritage Greek tragedy, Medea, and transformed this into a contemporary theatre piece. A fusion of traditional language and modernised theatrical conventions has resulted in a dynamic and emotive performance piece.

Drama in Practice students have interviewed community members to share their voices and perspectives in a Verbatim Theatre and Documentary Drama performance. With their scripts written, students are now working on a performance that will give a voice to those who may usually go unheard. With two excellent performances culminating the practical component of their senior Drama studies, it is clear how much the students' creativity, communication and collaboration has soared this year.

MUSIC

7 Music

Year 7 music students have been honing their skills in guitar, piano, drums, and singing as they prepare for their end-of-term performance assessments. These budding musicians are not only mastering their instruments but also developing discipline, creativity, and confidence. Music education plays a vital role in young people's development, enhancing cognitive abilities, emotional expression, and social skills. As they practice and perform, these students are discovering the joy of music and the sense of accomplishment that comes with it.

10 Music

Our Grade 10 music students are embarking on an exciting exploration into the world of program music, examining its historic significance and its impact on modern compositions. This in-depth study is helping them understand how music can tell a story and convey emotions beyond mere notes and rhythms. Our students are preparing for the performance afternoon in week 9 with further details being provided to invited guests later in the term.

12 Music

Congratulations to our Grade 12 ATAR music students for successfully completing IA3! This assessment challenged them to explore the powerful ability of music to convey narratives, culminating in either an original composition or a prepared performance that showcased their insights and creativity.

With IA3 behind them, our students are now entering the final countdown towards the end of their school year. They will soon shift their focus to preparing for their final external exams, marking the grand conclusion of their five-year journey in music education at Ripley Valley State Secondary College.

As they embark on this final leg, we wish them all the best and look forward to celebrating their achievements and growth in the coming weeks.

12 Music in Practice

Our Grade 12 in practice music students are currently delving into the role of commercial music and what it means to be a musician in today’s 21st-century landscape. This engaging exploration is providing them with valuable insights into the commercial aspects of the music industry.

As part of their studies, students are creating a “sizzle reel”—a dynamic preview designed to showcase the potential success of a proposed musical venture. This hands-on project is allowing them to apply their knowledge and creativity in a practical and exciting way.

We’re eager to see the innovative ideas and presentations that will emerge from this project and are confident that this experience will greatly enrich their understanding of the modern music industry.

Instrumental Music

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our talented instrumental students who recently performed at the P&C Bingo Night. Their exceptional performances were a highlight of the evening and showcased their dedication and skill.

As our ensembles finalize and perfect their showcase performances, they are also preparing for extended setlists for upcoming events, including our highly anticipated Music Celebration Night. This is an exciting time for our musicians as they refine their pieces and prepare to share their talent with the community.

We would like to remind all students of the importance of consistent attendance, especially with the colder weather approaching. Regular participation is crucial for maintaining the high standards of our ensembles. If any issues arise that prevent attendance, please ensure to contact your conductor promptly.

Thank you for your continued commitment and support.

Certificate III Community Dance, Theatre, and Events

The 2024 Certificate III Community Dance, Theatre, and Events Cohort have been busy putting together their annual performance event, 'Generation Gap', an engaging and interactive collage of dance, drama, and music performances. This unique production, framed by a competitive game show, delves into the age-old debate: "Which generation really had it harder?"

Our talented students have worked collaboratively to create and organise this community performance, exploring the teenage experience across different eras. Through the powerful mediums of dance, drama, and music, they bring to life the trials and tribulations faced by teenagers from various generations.

Don't miss out on this thought-provoking and entertaining event! Secure your tickets now to find out which generation truly had it the hardest. Generation Gap takes the stage on Friday, August 23rd, at 6pm in the RVSSC Performing Arts Centre.

Be there to witness the showdown – only one generation can lose.

Date

Friday 23 August 2024 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Location
RVSSC Performing Arts Centre

EXTRA-CURRICULAR AND EVENTS

Showcase

It’s that time of year again! We are in full swing preparing everything behind the scenes for our Performing Arts Showcase. All student performers have been notified that they are in the show and permission has been sent home to parents and carers.

This event is an opportunity for the students to Showcase their work from across the year. This year our event will be held in our new Performing Arts Centre (PAC). Due to the limited number of seats in the PAC we will be putting on two shows plus a primary school matinee performance to accommodate our audience size. Our shows will be held on Friday 11^th and Saturday 12^th October 2024. Tickets will go on sale at the end of this term so keep an eye on facebook.

Most of the rehearsal work takes place during class or extra-curricular training time however students will be required for the following additional rehearsal times in the lead up to the show. Where possible – please ensure your child arrives at the venue 15 minutes prior to the rehearsal so that we can start on time. All extra rehearsals will be held in the PAC.

REHEARSAL SCHEDULE

Dance Squad

Dance squad prepare for the Ipswich Performers Dance festival to be held on Monday the 12th of August, students have been tirelessly working on improving their technical skills particularly in flexibility, strength, coordination and alignment. The competition will be held at the Ipswich Civic Centre, our team will be taking a total of 10 routines (our largest yet) across the styles of Jazz, Contemporary, Musical theatre, Lyrical and Student Choreography. Come along and support our dancers at our 2nd last eisteddfod for the year and our last local eisteddfod in Ipswich!

Cheer

The countdown is almost over! The cheerleaders are heading to their first competition on Sunday, August 18^th. The athletes have been working extremely hard, all season, building their skills within the sport. The team will compete against two other schools in the Brisbane region, so be sure to check-in later in the term for the results. Let's go Raptors!

Drama Troupe

The Showcase spark has been lit and our Drama Troupe students are thrilled to share that some new productions will be presented this year. They have been learning lines, manipulating their vocality and altering their physicality to create dynamic characters and comedic scenes. Stay tuned for information about how you can get your hands on the hottest tickets in town and prepare yourself for a laugh-a-minute!

Creative Generation

In week 2 we had 9 of our student performers in Creative Generation state schools on stage! They participated in four performances from Thursday - Saturday at the Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre with 2100 other students from schools across the state. The show was the 20^th celebration of Creative Generation and our dance and vocal students had the honour of performing in this professional production. We also had a school excursion group head off to watch the show and support their friends. Congratulations to everyone involved!

 

Jessica Starkey

Head of Department - Performing Arts - Year 8E - 8H

jxsta12@eq.edu.au