Oakhill Music and Drama Newsletter Vol.3 Oakhill Music and
Drama
Newsletter Introduction ~ Who Are We?
We are the Oakhill Arts Kollective or O.A.K for short! We are a
group of very talented Music and Drama students from Years 7-12,
that work towards spreading the great word of the creative arts
department. We have many great things in the works, including this
newsletter (you will have to stick around to discover the rest).
Our main goal is to reach the hearts and minds of all Oakhill
students in hopes of encouraging them to try Music and Drama. So
please sit back and enjoy what we have to oer.
Exciting Announcements
We are excited to announce that our next College Musical will be
Les Miserables (School Edition). It has been 20 years since the
last production in 2002 and we are so looking forward to bringing
it back to the stage for all of you to see. Stay tuned for further
announcements regarding auditions and performance dates.
What Is It About? After 19 years as a prisoner, Jean Valjean is
freed by Javert, the ocer in charge of the prison workforce.
Valjean promptly breaks parole but later uses money from stolen
silver to reinvent himself as a mayor and factory owner. Javert
vows to bring Valjean back to prison. Eight years later, Valjean
becomes the guardian of a child named Cosette after her mother's
death, but Javert's relentless pursuit means that peace will be a
long time coming.
Online Choir & Ensemble Rehearsals
After several test runs last week, we are pleased to announce that
we are beginning to resume our Choir and Ensemble rehearsals
on-line.
It’s not quite the same as being all together in one room but we
are so happy to be able to keep singing and rehearsing as small
groups to help stay connected.
SWIFF’s Nextwave Youth Short Film Competition
SWIFF’s Nextwave Youth Short Film Competition is open for entries!
The Cos Coast’s Screenwave International Film Festival is looking
for the next wave of young lmmakers living anywhere in Australia!
Enter a short lm into the Nextwave Youth Film Competition for your
chance to win awesome awards and prizes, including Best School, and
have your lm premiere at SWIFF 2022 on the Cos Coast! If you like
being creative, and want to have a go at lmmaking, SWIFF wants to
see what you can do!
The rules are simple: - Make a lm under ve minutes - Include a
pineapple - Enter before October 12th to win!
For full terms and conditions, visit www.nextwavelm.com.au.
Oakhill Songwriting Competition
Are you feeling bored? Have nothing to do? Has Netix become your
best friend? Well look no further because O.A.K. is holding a
songwriting competition! Anyone who is bored and would like a
challenge, throw your hat into the ring and write a song. You will
also be provided the opportunity to assist in writing the new
school song, your legacy will live on forever through your
lyrics!
In the competition, there will be 4 sections. Each section will be
a dierent genre. They are to be decided. Two awards will be given
out. One for an individual composition and one for a group
composition.
The competition will be starting in Week 9 of Term 3. The winner
will be announced on the 1st of December. We do hope that we will
be able to get back to school and start writing before Week
9.
Our Judges are the Best of the Best
Gabriella Papallo (Music Captain)
Liam Bowden (Drama Captain)
Joey Toubji: Class of 2011
Question One: How did your experience at Oakhill assist with your
creative direction?
Oakhill College oered such a variety of subjects and
extracurricular activities that helped shape me into the person I
am today, in particular Music and Drama. Not only did both subjects
allow me to express my creativity, but it taught me such valuable
life skills. Both subjects developed my creative and critical
thinking, my self-awareness and most importantly my communication
and interpersonal skills. Although I am no longer pursuing acting
and music, these are the skills I take with me into the workforce
and use in my everyday life. Still to this day I support the arts
at Oakhill by attending the musicals and plays they put on – just
recently School of Rock this past year was amazing!
Question Two: In what creative . elds of work have you partaken
in?
Unfortunately since leaving Oakhill I didn’t end up following
through with my passion for acting and music, however the passion
and desire is still very much there! I am currently working as a
full-time accountant, which in itself requires some level of
creativity… and patience! After work, I do tend to nd myself
writing and performing music as a way to destress!
Question Three: What made you want to pursue (Music of Drama) as a
career?
I do hope to one day follow through and pursue a career in the arts
as I hope to one day inspire and pass down my knowledge which was
exactly what Mrs Carloss, Mrs Herron and Ms Tidemann passed down to
me.
Question Four: How has the pandemic aected your work?
Thankfully the pandemic hasn’t had too much of an aect on my work,
with the only dierence being that I am working remotely from home
full-time now. I do hope we pass this very soon as I do miss the
face-to-face sociable aspect of my job!
Question Five: If there was something you could tell the creative
arts kids at Oakhill about your experience with the industry, what
would it be?
Not so much within the creative industry, but just on life after
Oakhill in general – Don’t be afraid to follow what makes you
happy. I know everyone may say this, but always follow your
intuition as you will see that it will be right at least 99% of the
time.
Congratulations to Joey Toubji who recently played ‘Coricopat’ in
the production of ‘Cats.’
Our Achievements
Year 10 Play: Breaker Morant Oakhill College’s Year 10 Play has now
been announced, they will be presenting “Breaker Morant” which will
be accomplished through the assistance of our insanely talented
students and teachers.
C A S T L I S T
Lt Harry Breaker Morant
Major Thomas + Ocers in the Court
Ethan Ryan/Bailey Wilkinson (Shared Role)
Major Bolton + Ocers in the Courtroom
Thomas Spaul / Ethan Gunawardhana (Shared Role)
President of the Court: Lt Colonel Denny + 1st Interrogator
Andreas Juarez-Mendoza / Taylor Egan (Shared Role)
Dr Johnson + 2nd Interrogator
Sergeant-Major Drummit
Captain Taylor Finn Frost
Troopa Botha Patrick McMurrich
Corporal Sharp Emanuel Coulis
Patrick Maguire
Year 7 Music Year 7 has been very creative during lockdown. In
music we were recently put up to the challenge to create an
instrument that plays rhythm and pitch using materials found around
the house. It was a challenge that we all accepted. We used
vegetables, bottles, cans, boxes, rubber bands, buckets, paint and
tape. We created many dierent types of instruments. Guitars, drums,
maracas, rainsticks and panpipes. Many mistakes were made along the
way but we did it.
By Antonio Zeaiter (Yr 7)
Congratulations Congratulations to our Year 12 Music and Drama
Majors for their hard work during online learning. Even though it
is not as they expected they are still pushing through with high
spirits. Mrs Carloss states that, “Even though it is sometimes
difficult, online has helped students improve their voices and
facial expressions. Classmates have also been able to help their
peers by giving each other positive feedback so they may improve
their outstanding performances.”
From O.A.K to all of our hard working Year 12 students, we hope
that you’re pulling through during your exam period, we know that
you can do it! We can’t wait to be able to celebrate your extensive
achievements and we are all sending our prayers to you during this
dicult time! Always make sure you are doing something you love
every now and then to keep the spirits up!
Interview ~ Mr Domars Head of Performing Arts
Q1: How did you deal with covid? To be honest, I’m not sure that I
have. It all seems much worse now than last year as we all know.
Being online is so dierent from face to face teaching, but I feel
we are more organised and ready because of last year's
experience.
Q2: Why did you move to Oakhill? I had been teaching at my previous
school for over 20 years. When I saw the Oakhill advertisement I
felt it was a sign. To have a school with such an amazing
reputation in the performing arts and to be involved in all of the
musicals, dramas and ensembles on top of teaching is a dream come
true.
Q3: What production have you seen here? I have been lucky enough to
have seen Urinetown, Chariots of Fire, Rehearsal for Murder and to
have worked on School of Rock.
Q4: Why do you like Music? I am drawn to it. I feel it enhances my
Faith. It brings me closer to God. I love playing and I love
helping others play as well.
Q5: What jobs have you done in the past? I have been teaching for
33 years in various schools. I was a year coordinator for over 10
of those years. I have taught music privately, but not for many
years now. I have owned catering and hospitality companies for many
years.
Interview ~ Chris Watters Youth Minister
Q1: How did you deal with covid? Covid has been a bit odd for me, I
am doing a very practical course at university in Music education
at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. However, I have been just
doing uni online, training a lot, when restrictions were a bit
easier catching up with friends, going on walks with my dog and
writing a lot of music. Just a little bit of everything in my life
to keep me occupied
Q2: Why did you decide to be a Youth minister? Oakhill provided me
so much not only in terms of faith but becoming a better person
through the 5 lasallian core values. The ability to inspire others
is something that I strive to do. To help others become a better
version of themselves like people previous gave to me, whether that
is teachers, youth ministers or people from the Lasallian team, I
strive to help others become better people
Q3: What was your favourite production that you have seen/been in
at Oakhill? I have loved every production, not only the musicals
but music concert nights too. I was in Bats in year 8, playing
cecil star, and in year 12 playing wayne in strictly ballroom. But
the most memorable part for me was greatest hits night and battle
of the bands, being able to showcase my talent with my friends at
battle of the bands, and perform with my friends at greatest hits
night is something that I will remember for a very long time
Q4: Why do you like Music and/or Drama? Music is something that I
have been around from a very young age, I got my rst drum kit when
I was 3, my father is a classically trained guitarist, and my
mother is a classically trained singer. They never pushed me, but
it is just something that I always wanted to do. Learning Drums,
Piano, Guitar and Voice. To me, it is a universal language. This is
a story from my trip to the Philippines in year 11 in 2018. I went
to a village called Gawad Kalinga (GK Village), and I took a guitar
with me. A girl saw me with the guitar and her eyes lit up, she ran
back to her house and grabbed her guitar and came back, we both
taught each other songs, I taught her songs from our western
culture music like Justin Bieber’s Love yourself and the Beatles,
and she taught me traditional Filipino songs. Two people, dierent
lives, dierent countries, bonding through the universal language of
Music that God has provided for us all.
Q5: What jobs have you done in the past? I currently also work at a
swim centre teaching kids how to swim as well as a bartender at a
local venue. Both these jobs allow me to interact with people which
I love doing. Swimming teaching is very rewarding in terms of
helping my students progress and gives me good practice in becoming
a teacher. Bartending is very fun, I get to be creative through
things I make, and talk to patrons, getting to talk to patrons and
be creative
“Music has the power to make us smile and bring us to all types of
tears. It can carry us back in time and inspire us to dance in the
moment for all the
moment. For all our happiest days, there is music”
Year 12 ~ Music Major Works
Tarsh Stornelli - Music Major (Vocals) Q1: What Made You Choose
Music ? For myself, music has always been a subject where I have
had the ability to display my potential and skills. I chose music
to further develop and explore my skills practically and
theoretically, whilst also to gain more condence.
Q2: What skills have you gained through studying Music that will
stay with you? The practical side of music has allowed me to gain
more condence, express emotion more clearly, and has overall taught
me how to perform eectively. Additionally, music has enhanced my
theoretical skills through composing and analysing music. I am
currently able to compose a more complex and intriguing composition
as well as analyse a piece in more depth. Studying music has
enhanced my practical and theoretical skills that I shall utilise
in future
Q3: How have you been handling your HSC Major Works? Although covid
has impacted greatly in the working of my major works, I am still
able to complete them. For my music major, I am completing 3
performances and 1 composition. I attend weekly lessons for my
performances, where I gain feedback from my singing teacher. I also
receive teacher and peer feedback for my composition. These allow
me to perfect and enhance my skills. Thus whilst covid may have
been an obstacle, through persistence and dedication, I am able to
handle working on my HSC Major works.
Oliver Minty - Music Major (Guitar) Q1: What Made You Choose Music
? I chose music because of my passion for music and playing guitar
that I developed through being in a family obsessed with all
thing's music. Additionally, being able to receive guitar tutoring
at school gave me the support and information needed to make that
choice
Q2: What skills have you gained through studying Music that will
stay with you? Studying music allowed me to learn how to balance
both working and playing as a passion, allowing my passion to fuel
my work and motivation within the subject. Having Music as a
subject also allowed me to use my tutoring to further myself in my
HSC due to the communication between the music sta and tutors
Q3: How have you been handling your HSC Major Works? I have been
handling my HSC Major Works well. I allow myself to nd enjoyment in
practicing my pieces by switching between them, giving me a range
of pieces which I can alternate between in practice. This allows me
to nd motivation and reduce the monotony that I experience while
studying for other subjects while still being productive.
~ “Where words fail Music speaks” ~
Year 12 ~ Drama Major Works
Cooper Abood- Drama Major Q1: What Made You Choose Drama?
Performing has always been my passion, even since I was a kid
whether that be school plays, musicals, being on stage or watching
o stage, I have always loved every bit of it. To me, Drama is such
an encapsulating experience that I couldn’t give it up for
anything.
Q2: What skills have you gained through studying Drama that will
stay with you? Drama has taught me a lot but in particular, I have
been able to develop my condence and social skills, through having
to communicate in group projects, to learning how to improvise on
stage, these skills have greatly improved my condence and social
skills so I can adapt to any situation life throws at me.
Q3: How have you been handling your HSC Major Works? It has been
dicult to progress my HSC work being a monologue and group project
in the current lockdown climate with minimal feedback and
rehearsing in the normal way I know how. But I have enjoyed
bringing this creative outlet into a dierent learning space and
adapting to the changes thrown at us.
Ashleigh Simpson- Drama Major Q1: What Made You Choose Drama?
Performing arts has always been an interest of mine that I only
started studying recently, but I have fallen in love with it. The
subject is incredibly interesting, and has become a creative outlet
for me.
Q2: What skills have you gained through studying Drama that will
stay with you? . Drama has increasingly strengthened my condence
and adaptability since I started studying it. In drama, you need to
learn to adapt to a certain situation, which is a skill that will
stay with me for years to come
Q3: How have you been handling your HSC Major Works? Drama is one
of my two major works this year, so while it is stressful, it is an
incredible creative outlet that is helping me relieve the stress
from my overall HSC exams. During covid, our majors are harder than
usual; less if not no rehearsal time in our classroom, and less
experience on the stage itself. However, our cohort is very close
and by sending each other videos of our major works and giving
feedback, we are all helping each other through it.
By Liam Bowden (Yr 12)
Activity ~ Crossword