Melbourne Symphony Orchestra Guided Rehearsal – Term 3 Excursion (Week 8)

After the success of our excursion to the Playhouse Theatre last term to see the fantastic ‘Alice Through the Opera Glass’ performance, we are excited to announce another visit to the Arts Centre on St Kilda Road to attend a guided rehearsal of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Hamer Hall on Friday 6th September 2019 in Week 8 of Term 3.

As part of our continuing focus on the narrative genre, the Year 2 Neighbourhood will attend a guided behind the scenes experience of the full MSO rehearsing the score to a Disney Film in one of the performances spaces in Hamer Hall at the Arts Centre. Students will learn how composers put together the music for a movie, and see how it affects the action on-screen. They will be introduced to how sound can be used to build emotion, suspense, and humour within a narrative. It is intended that this experience will extend the students understanding of how a piece of writing can be developed upon in many different ways to be shared with and enjoyed by an audience. 

The excursion also compliments our music performances on Friday afternoons that began in Term 3, and gives students an insight into where their own music practise might lead them. During our very successful visit to see the opera, it was observed that students were interested in the orchestra and their role in the production. Last term many students also enjoyed sharing their musical talents/interests with their peers in the neighbourhood, which ended up becoming a regular Friday afternoon occurrence. Attending a guided rehearsal will allow students to see how musicians work together as a group to practice and play their music.

So, on Friday 6th September 2019, we will leave in the morning so that we arrive to the Arts Centre ready for an 11am performance start. We will return to school by the start of recess time. Students will bring their lunch on the day.

Look out for permission forms sent through COMPASS. We plan to catch the tram down Lygon Street into the city, meaning that our transport costs for the excursion will be free, as Public Transport Victoria is now offering free travel for primary school groups during off-peak times. We will also be requiring a number of parent volunteers to travel with us and help out on the day, so please get in touch with Meredith, Kate, or Warrick if you are available and keen to come along!

Parent volunteers will need to have a Working With Children check/card, which can be applied for online and then submitted to Julie at the office for her to keep on record.