Performing Arts
DANCE
7/8 Dance Academy
We are so excited to welcome our next lot of Dance Academy students! This year we have a composite 7 and 8 class with new and existing Academy students. Our Academy students have kicked off this year with a theory unit where they have been analysing and evaluating Dance. Students have now moved onto their performance piece commencing their Musical Theatre routine. Students have been loving embracing their inner Elle Woods and expressing their acting skills whilst dancing.
9 Dance Academy
Year 9 Dance Academy have got straight into their first performance task learning their jazz routine. This performance has challenged students to stylise their movement by channelling key origins of the jazz style through influences such as Bob Fosse. We can't wait to see this number on the stage at our first eisteddfod of the year.
7 Dance
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 have immersed themselves in the dynamic and energetic style of Hip Hop. The classroom is buzzing with rhythmic beats and creative exploration as students dive into the intricacies of this vibrant dance style. In the first 5 weeks students honed their technique, mastering the foundational moves and embracing the expressive nature of Hip Hop. Now the class is focusing on refining their performance skills, emphasizing stage presence, synchronization, and storytelling through movement.
Cert II Dance
Our Certificate II in Dance is well under way! Students are finishing up their first project where they learnt about the human muscular and skeletal system, basic dance techniques and how to develop physical fitness. They are now dipping into Project 2 beginning with their Jazz Performance.
11 Dance
Year 11 Dance Students have been eagerly introduced to senior dance through the style of Jazz. Over the past few week's they have been building their technical skills such as: kicks, turns and leaps in preparation for their Jazz performance task due later this term.
12 Dance
Year 12 students have been working diligently on perfecting their technical and expressive skills for their first assessment performance of 2024. Students dove into the world of contemporary dance, communicating the political message of anti-discrimination and developing empathy for the human experience. This dance involves a high level of complex movements with a fast-paced tempo that students must sustain from beginning to end. Partnering sections have seen the dancers work as team to problem solve spacing, formations and lifting work. The students are very excited… and a little nervous… to be presenting their task for submission this week.
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.
9 Drama
In year 9 Drama, students are exploring the style of Melodrama, including the stereotypical stock characters of a Hero, Villain, Damsel and Sidekick. With fainting, master plans and bumbling slapstick, the classroom has been full of laughter as students use acting skills like physicality and vocality when improvising engaging scenes. Students will then view a recorded live performance and, using their knowledge from the unit, analyse the actor’s manipulation of Elements of Drama and Melodramatic conventions to create engaging dramatic action.
12 Drama
Year 12 Drama and Drama in Practice students have started this term delving into the power that performance has in appealing to, and creating, social change. Through exploring styles like Contemporary Political Theatre, Epic Theatre and Absurdism, the class has begun to consider their context, how this sits within our global context, identifying issues of concern to modern society. However, it hasn't all been serious and straight-faced. With nonsensical play being a key convention in Absurdism, there have been many moments of joy as the students play with the absurdity of our existence. The class are excited to show their humorous and thought-provoking plays at RVSSC's first Drama Night at the end of this term.
MUSIC
10 Music
Grade 10 music are exploring the concepts of global radio and how genres can be represented and unique ways depending on the country or culture. Students are preparing their own radio show that examines, deconstructs and justifies the use of genre characteristics and how they are replicated and innovated throughout all parts of the world. With the task being due in 2 weeks! Mr Ezzy is looking forward to their first project of their own unique radio segments. Next term students will create a transformative cover version shifting a song from one genre to another.
12 Music
It has been an extremely busy term for grade 12 music with students presenting their IA1 performances in week 2. All students chose a piece of music that demonstrated innovative musical concepts and performed to an invited audience. All students performed extremely well and demonstrated their outstanding development throughout their high school musical careers. Whether the students were taking five or flying us to the moon Mr Ezzy is extremely proud of how much our students have achieved.
Moving into preparation for IA2 the senior music class has begun working on modernism composition techniques and deconstructing the core of what it is to write music. These practices have pushed the limits of creative thinking with some fantastic original compositions being the result. Each week our students have been writing a unique composition and sharing it with peers for feedback to better develop their own sense of style.
Music in practice has been working away on multi-layered compositions and learning what it means to be a one-man band! Later this term students will recreate a piece of music but all parts (including vocals) will be performed and recorded by the student. This technique of performance is an industry standard and much more prevalent within the music tech sector. Students are rising to the challenge and we look forward to hearing their performances later this term.
Instrumental Music
Instrumental music is back in full swing with lessons and rehearsals in the normal routine. The program has had a large number of new members join this year with many already participating in Concert Band and Stage Band. With performances coming up in early term 2 it is essential all students are learning their individual parts during practice to ensure rehearsals are effective.
The instrumental program would also like to welcome our brand-new percussion teacher Mr Osman! Mr Osman comes with a wealth of teaching experience and we look forward to seeing what the new percussion ensemble will sound like in the coming terms.
If you child is interested in participating in the instrumental program, please send an enquiry email through to the Instrumental Co-ordinator Mr Ezzy: Dezzy9@eq.edu.au
EXTRA CURRICULAR
Dance Squad
Dance squad kick started the year off with an extensive Saturday rehearsal where they completed the choreography for their Musical Theatre. This was a mammoth effort from everyone involved and we are so proud of the effort from all students at what was a very long day. We have since jumped straight into weekly rehearsals with students deep diving into exciting new routines for the year. Students have been learning a new Jazz and Contemporary and are super excited to have our first ever Student Choreography piece! This involves students taking full creative control through choosing music, costumes, choreography and formations to create a cohesive hip hop routine. We can't wait to see all of these routines completed and on the stage at our first eisteddfod for the year early next term.
Cheer
Cheerleading is back! Cheerleading try outs were held in Week 2 with great success. The 2024 Ripley Raptors Cheerleading Squad are in the early phase of the season, where they are focusing on building trusting relationships with their team, working on individual tumbling technique and learning a range of new cheerleading skills. The key to their success this year will be trust, perseverance and adoration for all the aspects cheerleading has on offer. This year we have a clear goal of competing at Super Nationals in November but our main focus is on athletes' safety first.
Drama Troupe
Ripley Valley State Secondary College’s Drama Troupe have hit the ground running in 2024 with an outstanding number of students at auditions. Showcasing characterisation, improvisation and communication skills, our Troupe members have been working hard from the get go. Beginning with character and tension development in scripted scenes, our ensemble has worked together with excellent creativity and collaboration. We are excited to see their confidence and commitment shine in their performances at RVSSC's first Drama Night at the end of Term One.
Vocal Ensemble
The Ripley Valley State Secondary College Vocal Ensemble has completed auditions and commenced rehearsals, marking the beginning of their musical journey. At their first rehearsal, members learned vocal techniques and discovered their voice types, ranging from bass to soprano.
With their first performances approaching, the ensemble has begun learning four pieces to kick off the year. Through teamwork and dedication, they are preparing to showcase their talents and captivate audiences with harmonious melodies.
As they eagerly anticipate their debut, the ensemble embodies the transformative power of music and the importance of collaboration. Stay tuned to see the Vocal Ensemble take to the stage later on this year!
Creative Generation
Creative Generation - State Schools On-stage (CGEN) gives students, teachers and school communities the opportunity to be involved in a professionally produced, award-winning arena spectacular. Since its inception in 2005, the large-scale event has grown from a cast of 550 students to more than 1800 and is nationally renowned for its outstanding and vibrant display of state school talent.
This year, we have students auditioning across Dance, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop and Featured Choir, which is fantastic for our school. Once auditions are done, rehearsals begin in early Term 2, and continue on weekends until ‘Show Week’ in July. As our third year of participating in CGEN, it is very exciting to have a number of students involved, and we look forward to seeing the awesome performances in July.
Jessica Starkey
Head of Department - Performing Arts - Year 8E - 8H