Dance Crew

DIRECTOR: Mrs Meg Docherty

ENTRANCE: Signup

REHEARSAL TIME: Tuesday Lunchtime

Dance Crew is an ‘all-comers’ group where students a learn and improve their dance skills.  Prior dance experience and auditions are not required and the session caters to a variety of levels and interests.

Students learn a wide variety of techniques and styles in a dance class environment. Each week the session begins with a warm-up and is followed by choreography where the students learn routines that are polished and used for school performances throughout the year.  These groups may contribute to performances at school events and services as well as Performing Arts concerts.

The group rehearses one lunch time each week and while this group is a less performance-oriented ensemble, a high level of student commitment to rehearsals and performances is still required.

Dance Troupe

DIRECTOR: Mrs Meg Docherty

ENTRANCE: Auditioned

REHEARSAL TIME: Thursday 7:00-8:00am

Co-curricular Dance at Grace Lutheran College allows students to explore dance in a safe and appropriate way.  The College ethos suggests that at Grace we are preparing young people for life and work in the world.  This is pivotal in the selection of style, dance technique, music and choreography where the function of dance seeks both to celebrate our Christian faith (Liturgical Dance) as well as explore dance for dances sake (Contemporary, Jazz, Musical Theatre, Tap).  Dance Troupe is auditioned based.  Students of all dance abilities are welcome and encouraged to audition.

This ensemble comprises up to 15 students.  The group rehearses once during the school week.  Students are taught a wide variety of techniques in a dance class environment.  Each week the session begins with warm-up and technique and is followed by choreography where the students learn routines that are polished and used for both school and external performances throughout the year.  This group contributes to performances at school events and services as well as Performing Arts concerts.  Costumes are provided by the College, however, some basic items may be asked of the students, depending on the nature of the routine.  

Drama Production

DIRECTOR: Ms Tavia Seymour

ENTRANCE: Auditioned

REHEARSAL TIME:  As scheduled in the leadup to performances

Drama Productions are a team of students, who under teacher direction, work towards the polished performances of a full play.  Cast sizes vary and are dependent on interest and student ability.

The production process from beginning to end is approximately 12 weeks, with two afternoon rehearsals per week till 6pm and 2 additional extended rehearsals (technical and full dress runs).  A comprehensive schedule is published at the start of each production, which includes specifics of the afternoon rehearsals and highlights dress and technical rehearsals, possible holiday practices and performance dates.

When the script is cast and roles and responsibilities are accepted, the students’ full commitment to the production process is expected and taken seriously.  Attendance at all rehearsals is expected as all deadlines, such as lines, costumes, set and so on, must be met.  Focus and respect for each other in rehearsals is also expected.

Student Assistant Directors are optional and selected at the discretion of the director; they may also come from the cast.  Responsibility, servant leadership, mentoring ability and creativity are some key criteria.

Theatre Sports

DIRECTOR: Ms Tavia Seymour

ENTRANCE: Signup

REHEARSAL TIME: Monday Lunchtime

Theatresports is improvised drama games with a variety of rules and constraints. Teamwork, story and creativity are the main focus.

Theatresports is open to students in all year levels.  In the past, senior students have run an informal lunch competition under the leadership of the coach.  They usually undertake mentoring in the games of younger, less experienced students and the space is open to audience and participants.  The audience nominates games and anyone can get up and have a go.  Once some basic games and skills have been taught this can, depending on the level of interest, develop into an informal, just-for-fun comp, leading to semis and a final.  This school based competition enables the coach to gain an idea of student ability and interest.  From here, teams for the interschool competition are established during Semester 1 (dependant on competition dates set early in the school year).  Auditions may be necessary depending on numbers.  Teams of 4-6 students are established based on the audition and dynamics of the combined participants.  The number of teams chosen depends on the interest and ability of students.

Senior students, by virtue of experience, will often dominate the selected teams, however, Middle School students still have the opportunity to audition fairly and those accepted are then invited to join the team training sessions 1-2 lunchtimes a week with occasional after school sessions depending on needs.  This is a great opportunity to learn the games and train with the teams.  The competitions are usually held at other schools and advertised within the College: audiences are encouraged.

The informal lunch competition generally begins in Term 2, but it can begin earlier or later depending on the how many other events are on.  This is held one lunch time during per week.

The interschool competition varies depending on the organisers but tends to be held in Semester 1.  In preparation for this, students may have an afternoon rehearsal each week for a few weeks leading up to the competition.  Also in preparation for the competition, an ‘Impro Night’ can be held which showcases the teams and encourages audience interest.

It is expected that the students will show commitment, teamwork and servant hood.  Theatresports is a lot of fun and a great way to develop dramatic and improvisational skills, as well as self-confidence.  Grace Lutheran College has a fine history of success in Theatresports competitions here in Queensland with many of our teams making it through to competition quarterfinal, semi-final and state final rounds.

Concert Band

DIRECTOR: Mr Eddie Whiting

ENTRANCE: Seating Audition

INSTRUMENTATION: Flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, bass clarinet, saxphone, trumpet, French horn, trombone, euphonium, tuba, percussion, double bass

REHEARSAL TIME: Wednesday 3:15pm-4:30pm

Concert Band places are auditioned with all students being offered a place.  Students who play woodwind, brass or percussion are welcomed and are drawn from Years 7 to 12. 

Concert Band may perform at community-based events such as fetes, local crèches and school events as well as participation in tours. 

It is expected that students in this ensemble are participating in some form of music lesson on their chosen instrument, as this will allow them to progress through the ranks of the ensemble and thus enhance their musical experiences.

Auditions for this ensemble are held for all participants each year. 

Drum Line extension ensemble*

DIRECTOR: Mr Nathan Poetschka

ENTRANCE: Signup

INSTRUMENTATION: Percussion

REHEARSAL TIME: Monday Lunchtime in the leadup to performances

Drum Line provides percussion students with an opportunity to explore the variety of genres and styles that make up the area of percussion.  Drum Line is formed for special events as required.

Percussion Ensemble extension ensemble*

DIRECTOR: Mr Morgan Veal

ENTRANCE: Auditioned

INSTRUMENTATION: Percussion

REHEARSAL TIME: Wednesday 4:45pm-5:15pm

Percussion Ensemble provides percussion students with an opportunity to explore the variety of genres and styles that make up the area of percussion.  Students may be given the opportunity to perform everything from African hand drumming music to well-known orchestral transcriptions, developing skills on instruments such as timpani, xylophone, drum kit, and even less traditional instruments such as tin cans and old car parts.

Attendance at performances is expected, as is regular attendance at rehearsals.  Percussion Ensemble rehearses once a week.

String Ensemble

DIRECTOR: Mr Eddie Whiting

ENTRANCE: Seating Audition

INSTRUMENTATION: Violin, viola, cello, double bass (piano)

REHEARSAL TIME: Tuesday 7:00am-8:00am

String Ensemble places are auditioned with all students being offered a place.  Students who play violin, viola, cello and double bass are welcomed and are drawn from Years 7 to 12. Skilled pianists are also welcome to apply to audition.

String Ensemble plays varied and engaging repertoire that is suitable for developing musicianiship and technique in young players. Attendance at performances is expected as is regular attendance at rehearsals.  String Ensemble rehearses once a week. 

Chamber Strings extension ensemble*

DIRECTOR: Mr Eddie Whiting

ENTRANCE: Seating Audition

INSTRUMENTATION: Violin, viola, cello, double bass

REHEARSAL TIME: Tuesday 7:00am-8:00am

String Ensemble consists of students that play violin, viola, cello or double bass. Ensemble work for stringed instrumentalists is important as it develops student’s sense of relative pitch.

String Ensemble plays a varied repertoire encompassing everything from movie soundtrack transcriptions to traditional string works.  Playing in this group allows students further opportunities for public performance.

While this ensemble is auditioned, no player of a stringed instrument will be denied participation.  It is expected that all ensemble members are having regular lessons on their instrument.

Attendance at performances is expected as is regular attendance at rehearsals.  String Ensemble rehearses once a week. 

Vocal Group

DIRECTOR: Mrs Melanie Boyce

ENTRANCE: Signup

REHEARSAL TIME: Friday Lunchtime

Participation in vocal ensembles allows singers, instrumentalists and those who just love music to develop their vocal skills, ensemble skills and the love of joint music making.  The Vocal Ensemble is the ‘all-comers’ group that aims at fostering a love of music while developing a sense of healthy vocal technique in the choral context.  It is good value for singers of all year levels and abilities.

The repertoire chosen for this group is selected from a range of popular vocal music and classic choral works.  Students find themselves singing songs from hit movies, top of the charts and classical concert hall pieces.  Some arrangements are set as unaccompanied pieces while others have piano or rhythm section accompaniments.  Part-singing plays an important role in developing harmonic awareness within the choir and so vocalists sing songs in unison and up to four parts.

Rehearsals are conducted once a week.  It is the expectation of all students who participate in the Vocal Ensemble to consistently attend these weekly rehearsals.

Woodwind Ensemble extension ensemble*

DIRECTOR: Dr Emma Di Marco

ENTRANCE: Auditioned

INSTRUMENTATION: Woodwind

REHEARSAL TIME: Tuesday Lunchtime

Attendance at performances is expected, as is regular attendance at rehearsals.  Woodwind Ensemble rehearses once a week. 

Worship Bands

DIRECTOR: Mr David Klokman

ENTRANCE: Signup

INSTRUMENTATION: Guitar, bass, drums, percussion, vocal, other

REHEARSAL TIME: Wednesday Lunchtime

The Worship Bands consists of two ensembles; Years 7-9 and Years 10d-12 and may perform at a variety of school events as well as local church and community events.  Worship Bands are responsible for providing the music at school chapels and Opening & Closing Services.  Students in this ensemble have the opportunity to explore a variety of worship styles and musical genres.  The group includes vocalists, guitarists, bass guitarists and drummers with additional instruments added when appropriate.

Attendance at performances is expected, as is regular attendance at rehearsals. Worship Band rehearses once a week.

Caboolture Campus Musical

ROLES: Cast (Leads, Chorus), Orchestra (Senior musical only), Costuming, Makeup, Backstage Crew, Set Design and Construction

ENTRANCE: Cast and Orchestra Auditioned, Other roles signup

Grace has a long tradition of excellence in the staging of Musicals. Students from the Caboolture campus have participated in senior productions of Anything Goes (2015), Beauty and the Beast (2013) and West Side Story (2011).

Musical productions give students the opportunity to combine their gifts and work across art forms in performance.  They are an opportunity for collaboration amongst a variety of departments within the school context, where staff lead the way in revealing to students how appreciating the strengths of others and working together towards a shared goal or vision, can offer extraordinary personal rewards and satisfaction.  This cross-arts collaboration encourages students to share their strengths and learn new skills in other areas of the arts.

A Musical is acknowledged as a big commitment.  Academics and students welfare must be taken into account prior to and for the duration of the Musical process.  Students and parents are clearly informed of the commitment requirements prior to the start of rehearsals and are asked to consider their student schedule and academic status, keeping in mind the benefits of the production before allowing their student to commit to the production.  Staff at the College, are aware of at risk students, who if they choose to commit to the production are carefully monitored and offered aid where necessary.  Students and parents are asked to sign a commitment form, which is given out at the parent night along with a comprehensive rehearsal schedule to help parents and students make an informed choice about their involvement.

The Musical process is an intense one, however not only do students benefit from and enjoy the thrill of a big production experience, but they walk away with interpersonal skills that can only be gained from this kind of involvement.

Tech Crew

DIRECTOR: Ms Tavia Seymour

ENTRANCE: Signup

This crew supports and is focused on the various productions and events held by the Performing Arts Department with a particular focus of Drama Productions. It is open to all age groups (numbers are not limited) and provides students with an opportunity to learn and develop their lighting, sound and stagecraft skills through practical experience and mentoring, as well as specific hands on, one-on-one training (with some theoretical training).                 

The crew is established at the beginning of the year. Students interested may be asked to offer an expression of interest in writing, which leads to an informal interview process and probationary period.

Selection is at the discretion of the Crew Director and is based firstly on their judgment of the interested students maturity and responsibility, secondly, safety awareness and thirdly, interest and skill.

The Technical Crew runs all year and students are rostered onto specific productions.

Experiences include rigging, focusing, designing and operating lights in a wide variety of contexts and staging spaces. Setting up and operating basic sound equipment, stage handling, technical rehearsals and full productions.

The opportunity to learn about and experience the position of stage manager is offered. It is a position that is usually earned through experience and developing skills that are learnt through taking on assistant positions.

Rehearsals vary from show to show. There is often rigging at lunchtimes, although this is rotated amongst the team.  After school attendance varies depending on each production’s rehearsal schedule and can be at short notice, particularly as tech is an area where things can be quite fiddly.

Students learn to be responsible for equipment and are taught safety conscious behaviour.  Commitment, respect and availability are expectations.  A position in the Technical crew generates inter-year level interaction, teamwork and peer mentoring. It allows students to work together using God-given gifts and talents and encourages servant hood.  Students work under often more intense, yet rewarding conditions.