The challenges presented by 2020 could not stem the flow of talent pouring forth from Emmanuel’s VCE/VET Music Performance course. Despite being a particularly difficult year for the performing arts, with little opportunity to perform at venues (or even together in the same room), students of Emmanuel’s VET Music Performance program continued to excel.
External student, singer-songwriter Grace Moloney achieved Victoria’s only perfect study score of 50 in this subject and was invited to audition for the prestigious Top Class concerts at the Melbourne Recital Centre, as was her classmate Caitlin Garner. Grace and Caitlin join an ever-growing list of Emmanuel VET Music Alumni, many of whom are making their living as performing and recording artists. These include: Cooper Lower, (who also achieved a perfect study score - 2016), along with Nancie Schipper and Flynn Gurry.
After a decade of success, Emmanuel’s VCE/VET Music course has a sound reputation for providing a high level of industry instruction and performance opportunities. The course attracts student enrolments from students of other schools in Warrnambool and from around the south-west region.
VCE/VET Music Performance offers students a wide range of practical skills related to the Music Industry. Students undertake competency-based training and assessment, while receiving a study score that contributes to their ATAR. This qualification is aimed at students who have a strong interest in music and are keen to develop skills as musicians, performers and songwriters. Students participate in a camp, which is a great way for the students to quickly get to know each other and start some early music making. Workshops in song-writing, performance and rehearsal techniques are all explored and it ends with a concert where each student performs a piece they had written over the two days. Throughout the course students also experience workshops with industry professionals along with recording opportunities.
According to Emmanuel’s Head of Performing Arts, Mr Ian Leonard, a walk through Emmanuel’s performing arts centre -The Stage - is sure to bring a smile to any face as you witness the talented staff working with dedicated students across all year levels, in classes, co-curricular groups and individual extension lessons.
Emmanuel Music Performance students have led the State in recent years, both in their results and with Top Class invitations. It is unusual for a regional school student to be asked to play at Top Class, and the current audition invitations follow on from Flynn Gurry, who performed in 2020. Flynn’s VET Music teachers were able to see him perform just before Melbourne’s first lockdown. Another 2020 alumni, Lewis Stone, received a Governor of Victoria Award and was invited to a special dinner to celebrate.
When asked what he attributes this success to, Ian was quick to respond, “We are certainly very fortunate to have such excellent facilities with the development of The Stage, but I have said it before and I will certainly reiterate it this year, the staff are the most valuable commodity in any teaching facility.
Their commitment to developing new ways to effectively educate the students in a given environment is the most critical thing to the success of a program. More than any other time in recent history, this requirement has been of absolute importance this year. Our Performing Arts staff excelled in their professional endeavours this year. For myself, it was a reminder as to how talented our team is!”
We look forward to following the endeavours of our most recent Music Performance alumni as they embark on their careers.
