Our Dance Academy students are busily working on their jazz choreography. In this task they have focused on creating a technically difficult routine including a variety of turns, leaps, kicks and complex phrases whilst linking their actions with the music. This assessment piece wraps up their jazz unit as next term the class will move onto studying the contemporary style. 

As the Dance Academy classes also form a representative performance team we are able to take them out to local and regional dance competitions. The students work on these routines in their class time as it aligns with the performance element of the curriculum.  In Week 9 the team will be competing with their jazz routine at the Ipswich Dance Eisteddfod and we are looking forward to seeing them up on stage again!

7 Dance

Year 7 Dance are wrapping up their final assessment task and have submitted their choreography draft. Their creativity shines as they integrated iconic movements from various eras, many before their years. With their final assessment due next week, this sadly brings Year 7 Dance to an end for 7B, 7E and 7F. We hope to see them selecting the subject in Year 9 and can't wait to meet our next bunch of Year 7's next term!

9 Dance

The Year 9 Dance class are in the midst of submitting their choreography task in Musical Theatre. They have had much fun creating routines to a medley of songs including "Hard Knock Life", "Roxie" and "Mamma Mia". The students have worked in groups of three where each group member is responsible for choreographing one of the above songs. The students have had to incorporate the use of a prop to help communicate the intent of the piece. This group of Year 9's have been particularly creative with their use of space, relationships and props. The second part of this task is to complete a written statement of intent where each choreographer justifies the choices they made to create their routine. It has been marvellous teaching this group of students this Semester and we look forward to welcoming the Semester 2, Year 9 dance students in Term 3. 

10 Dance

Year 10 Dance have completed their draft for their hip hop choreography task, displaying exceptional teamwork and creativity throughout the process. They have faced and overcome numerous hurdles from initial challenges of teamwork and complex creative ideas but they have persevered. As they approach their final submission during exam block we are excited to see all their performances. Next term they tackle the challenging style of contemporary.

11 Dance

Year 11 Dance have recently completed their first senior unit, ending with individual choreography in the style of contemporary dance. In Unit 2, students will explore how physical and virtual environments have an impact on the choreographer’s creative process and selection of dance concepts, and the performer’s use of the dance skills to communicate meaning. Students synthesise their knowledge and understanding of the conventions of each environment and analyse, interpret and evaluate dance, justifying the manipulation of movement through the application of dance concepts and skills to communicate meaning. Students develop their knowledge and understanding of dance concepts and skills through a study of various physical and virtual dance environments. These concepts, skills and environments are those used by choreographers and performers in Australia.

8 Drama

After writing their own Children's Theatre script based on a children's story or folktale, Year 8 Drama students will now bring their creativity to life as the student-devised scripts are transformed into live productions. The Drama team is hopeful that these performances can strengthen our community partnerships as some of our students may present their Children's Theatre pieces for younger students.

11 Drama

This term, Year 11 Drama students have created their own unique concept for a piece of Verbatim Theatre that reflects real stories and exact words from real people. The research and discussion around this topic has brought about many mature moments of reflection and it has been fantastic to see the Year 11's applying 21^st Century skills to communicate our stories and history. 

Year 11 Drama in Practice students have created a Design Folio, designing the costume, sets, lighting and sound for a Verbatim Theatre production of A Town Named War Boy. This performance used diary entries and letters from WWI soldiers to demonstrate the full impact of war. It has been terrific to see Drama in Practice students consider how design could be used to further create meaning for modern audiences.

7 Music

In Year 7 Music, students have finished their performance assessment! After performing, students are now working on developing their composition skills. Students have been using the online DAW SoundTrap to create pieces of music that manipulate the elements of music to create meaning. Students have also been developing their lyric writing skills. For their assessment, students will be creating a composition that relates to a chosen theme.

9 Music

Year 9 Students completed their first performance task and are now applying their practical and theoretical skills into composing. Students are learning about the roles of melody, harmony and rhythm and the nuances in which they blend and work together. The class has taken to composing like ducks to water accepting the creative risk taking that is involved, and experimenting to create their own unique music.

11 Music

Year 11 students have just finished their second task of senior, wrapping up their very first unit of senior study! This semester students have been examining how music can communicate ideas and concepts to audiences through performance and composition.

Moving into our new unit, students have begun examining the concept of identifing and responding to music that expresses cultural, political and social identities in both local and global contexts. What better way to start such a unit than with a debate! The Year 11 class split into two halves this week and debated if Waltzing Matilda should replace Advance Australia Fair as our national anthem. The students deconstructed and examined historical and social significance, lyrical content and the musical construction of each song weighing the merits against the Australian Identity.

In 2024, we will be introducing the Certificate III Community Dance, Theatre and Events. It is a flexible arts subject that covers a broad range of jobs and skills in the creative industries. This certificate covers Dance, Music and Drama at an industry level and the course is tailored to the individual. Students may dance, sing, act, compose music, play an instrument, write scripts, design lighting, sound or sets; choreograph or direct. Students will hone their chosen craft, while working together on performance events. Students will be responsible for the creation, ticketing and marketing of their annual event. This may be a showcase of their combined skills, a play, a charity fundraising performance or a musical. From the budgeting and costuming to the food and venue, the possibilities for their events are endless. Each cohort of students makes these choices with the guidance of their teacher and through experiences with outside industry professionals. Through this course, students grow as individual entrepreneurial artists while learning to work collaboratively on events. The skills gained in their own craft, knowledge of event management and networking make this certificate a great choice for any student looking to turn their passion for performance into transferable and employable skills. For more information about this new subject, please email Miss O'Neill at

EXTRA - CURRICULAR

We offer many extra-curricular groups in the Performing Arts across Dance, Drama, Music and Instrumental Music. Students enter these groups via audition.  For those students who may have an interest in the Performing Arts but are not quite ready to trial for a team, we will be offering fun "come and try" activities across the Term at lunch times. Keep an eye on notices for these events.

Junior and Senior Dance Squad

Our Squad teams are ramping up their rehearsals to get ready for the Ipswich Eisteddfod. We are entering six Squad routines across two days where students will get to compete against schools in the region out at the Ipswich Civic Centre. Students will be performing the styles of Jazz, Contemporary and Musical Theatre. The students are super excited to compete again after their win at the last eisteddfod in April. This will be the team's second competition this year and as a college it is our fourth one since we started competing last year in 2022. We are so proud of how far our team has come in a year. Good luck to our Junior and Senior Dance Squads!

Cheer

This semester the cheerleading team have been working towards building and fine tuning their cheerleading skills. There has been a strong focus on improving jumping, tumbling and stunting abilities. The athletes have been working with their Main Stunt, and Second stunt groups hitting stunts at waist, prep and extension level. In recent weeks, the team have begun to be placed in formations for their routine and are beginning the choreography. Although, the only performance opportunity available for this team this year is the end of year showcase, the athletes and coach remain working towards a common goal of ensuring everyone leaves practice safely and that everyone is progressing every week.

Drama Troupe

The Drama Troupe have been refining their performance skills and improvisation techniques. Through exploring different characters, they are gaining confidence in their movement, voice and ability to portray a wide range of roles. These practices help students with other useful core skills such as, communication, teamwork, adaptability, self-confidence and active listening. The group has made incredible improvements in their performances in the last few weeks. Next term, the Drama Troupe will begin working on pieces for our Annual Arts Showcase.

Instrumental Music

Our instrumental performers will be up stage to share their talent with you at the P&C Christmas in July Bingo Night on Saturday 22nd July. All ensembles will participate in the evening with a lot of perfecting to happen over the next 5 rehearsals. Get your ticket now and come along to enjoy a night of fun with fantastic entertainment from our Stage Band, Rock Band and Vocal performers. All proceeds raised at this event are going to the instrumental department to help fund Instrumental Uniforms for our performers. 

On the Ipswich Show weekend, the Stageband performed Mr Blue Sky, Mack the Knife and I Want You Back in their first ever public performance. The students performed extremely well showcasing the persistence and dedication of our performers.

Instrumental students in 2023 are learning up to 12 unique pieces of music this year across 4 different ensembles. This requires a lot of practice to make such high quality performances possible and Mr Ezzy thanks all instruments students for their efforts.

Vocal Ensemble

We are ecstatic to announce that the RVSSC Vocal Ensemble rocked their first public performance in Week 5. They competed two songs at the Ipswich Junior Music Eisteddfod after only 8 weeks of rehearsing together. Out of ten competitors, the ensemble received the Highly Commended Award, placing them in fifth place. Our school was the only state high school at the competition and were up against very strong groups. They persevered through nerves and showed incredible bravery in front of the large audience. Their amazing result is a testament to the talent of the RVSSC students and a reflection of the hard work of Miss O’Neill, Mr. Coles and the Performing Arts faculty. Well done to all involved!

Creative Generation

With only 5 weeks until Show Week for Creative Generations, our students are polishing their repertoire and finding the plethora of costuming pieces required to make the show amazing. Our dancers have been busy each weekend at rehearsals with the CGEN choreographers, as well as rehearsing after school with our staff.

Meanwhile, our 2x Featured Choir vocalists have both been successful in gaining positions as Section leaders, which means they will use microphones throughout the show, producing the primary backing choir vocals for the show, as well as lead the massed choir of roughly 300 students. This is a great experience and opportunity for both students, as they work intensively with one of Australia's most successful vocal coaching companies, Vocal Manoeuvres Academy, over the coming weeks.

Tickets can still be bought through Ticketek. The performances are from the Thursday 13th July to Sunday the 16th July, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. We also have 50 students who are part of our performing arts subjects and extra-curricular groups heading in to watch the matinee performance on Friday 14^th July. These productions are always amazing, and it is always wonderful to see the talent students have from all over Queensland.

Showcase

We are busy behind the scenes getting all of the prep work done for Showcase. It's shaping up to be an awesome show! Students will be advised of their performances early Term 3 and information packs will be send home with all the important dates. 

PERFORMANCES

Save the following important dates!

Saturday July 22nd at 6pm in the Raptordome - P&C Christmas in July Bingo Night with Music performers

Friday the 13th October at 6pm in the Raptordome - Performing Arts Showcase

TRAINING

Below is a copy of our extra-curricular training schedule.