PERFORMING ARTS
McKinnon Secondary College
As Term 4 gets underway, our various activities continue to showcase the creativity and excitement that are such an important part of life at McKinnon.
Across rehearsals, performances and community events, students bring enthusiasm, commitment and collaboration to their musical experiences.
Supported by our dedicated and skilled Performing Arts team, students continue to grow in confidence, refine their skills and contribute to the vibrant cultural life of the College. Their achievements reflect not only individual effort, but also the teamwork and shared purpose that underpin our ensembles.
From solo performances to major concerts, the term provides opportunities to celebrate our students’ talents and share their progress with the wider school community. We look forward to a rewarding final term filled with music, connection and memorable performances as we celebrate another year of learning and achievement.
2027 MUSICAL PRODUCTION
We are delighted to announce that McKinnon Secondary College’s 2027 musical will be Disney’s Beauty and the Beast!
With a musical now staged every year at McKinnon, 2027 will see a return to a full-scale production, with students from Years 7-12 invited to audition. We look forward to bringing this much-loved story to life and showcasing the talents of our students.
Auditions will take place in Week 7 of Term 4. Full details are available here, with the link also accessible through the Compass newsfeed and year-level Google Classrooms.
Ms Lucy Angell
Musical Production Team (Producer)
WONDERBRASS AT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
WonderBrass, directed by Dmitry Serebrianik, delivered a wonderful contribution to the final full school assembly on Tuesday 13 October, accompanying the Year 12 Vocal Quintet and performing an additional piece. Their performance showcased the ensemble’s versatility, teamwork and dedication.
Congratulations to all members for their commitment throughout the semester and their willingness to prepare this program within a short turnaround following the school holidays. Their enthusiasm and focused rehearsal efforts ensured a polished performance, providing a fitting musical contribution to this significant occasion.
CLARINET QUARTET AT THE THISTLELONIANS’ PRINCIPAL’S AFTERNOON TEA
On Saturday 17 October, the Clarinet Quartet had the pleasure of performing at the Thistlelonians’ Principal’s Afternoon Tea. The ensemble presented a 30-minute program to an exceptionally high standard, showcasing their musical talent, preparation and professionalism.
Our sincere thanks to all members of the quartet for their commitment to rehearsals and for representing McKinnon so admirably. Their polished performance made a wonderful contribution to this special occasion and reflected the care and dedication they brought to their preparation.
Ms Laura Main
Music Teacher
VCE YEAR 11 MUSIC NIGHT
Congratulations to our VCE Year 11 Music Performance students on their outstanding performances on Monday 19 October. Their varied and engaging program showcased exceptional musical growth, confidence and commitment throughout the year.
The evening was well attended by staff, friends and family, who gathered to celebrate our students’ achievements. Our sincere thanks to Andrew Albanis for his guidance throughout the year, and to Ms Blanka West, Ms Grace James and Dmitry Serebrianik for their valuable support in making the event a success.
BIG BAND BASH ’26: LIFE IS A CARNIVAL!
Big Band Bash ’26: Life is a Carnival! brought colour, music and plenty of enthusiasm to the McKinnon Road Assembly Hall on Thursday 22 October. Our stage bands presented a diverse program of jazz and popular music, performing with confidence and style.
A guest performance by Buzinga, a student-led ensemble featuring musicians from Years 9-10, and a surprise vocal duet by Stefan Tale (Year 12) and Joshua Golembo (Year 12) captivated the crowd with their energy, passion and mature musicality.
Behind the scenes, staff worked hard to create a professional and welcoming environment. Special thanks go to Dmitry Serebrianik, Stuart Byrne, Tim Rex, Lulu Lamont and Blanka West for their support throughout the evening. We also extend our sincere thanks to the facilities and AV teams, whose work setting up the hall and managing the technical production helped the night run seamlessly.
The event also raised funds for the 2027 Music Tours, generously supported by our music community. Thank you to our students for their commitment, to families and friends for their ongoing encouragement, and to everyone who helped make the evening such a memorable celebration of music at McKinnon.
PIANO BY CANDLELIGHT
The evening celebrated the talent of McKinnon’s pianists, with impressive performances of classical favourites and arrangements from movies and video games. Spanning the 17th century to today and drawing on music from around the world, the program brought our vibrant musical community together.
Special thanks to Tom Baldwin for organising the concert and auditions, and to Ben Browne, Dmitry Serebrianik and the MAV team for supporting the event and creating an inspiring performance setting.
Thank you also to families and friends for their enthusiasm and encouragement.
Congratulations to everyone involved in a memorable Piano by Candlelight concert!
AMEB EXAMINATIONS
Around 40 of our students are undertaking Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB) examinations at McKinnon and Hawthorn Studios. These valuable performance evaluations provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills, receive constructive feedback and identify areas for continued improvement.
Congratulations to all participating students on their hard work, dedication and commitment to preparing for these examinations. We also sincerely thank their instrumental teachers for the expertise, encouragement and guidance they provide, helping students approach the experience with confidence and supporting their ongoing growth as musicians.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
Our instrumental music students and teachers embraced valuable opportunities to perform, connect and learn during the Term 3 holidays and at the beginning of Term 4. These experiences offered fresh perspectives and supported the continued development of our music community:
Two groups from McKinnon’s East Campus, the Bassoon Quintet and Junior Double Reed Ensemble, performed at the Australian Double Reed Society National Conference. Held on the final day of the school holidays, the event provided a wonderful opportunity for students to share their music with a wider audience. Both ensembles received certificates recognising their participation.
Alongside their performances, students met fellow double reed players from Melbourne High School and other secondary schools across Melbourne. They also explored the exhibition hall, where the prices of some European-made professional instruments prompted considerable surprise!
Our sincere thanks to Megan Waugh and Martin Lee for providing this valuable opportunity for our double reed students to perform, connect with other young musicians and broaden their musical experiences.
On Tuesday 6 October, Stuart Byrnes, Tintin Cao and Georgina Mead attended a professional development session at Carey Baptist Grammar led by American composer Tyler Arcari. Topics included “Training Your Eyes to Hear”, “The End Is Only as Good as the Beginning” and “Build It…Then Keep It!”
The session also prompted an interesting discussion about differences between American and Australian instrumental music education. Tyler was particularly interested to learn that McKinnon has specialist teachers for individual instruments. He explained that, in the American programs he described, teachers are expected to teach every instrument within a band or orchestra session.
Our teachers left with practical ideas to explore and a broader understanding of different approaches to music education.
UPCOMING SCHOOL PERFORMANCES
Our music community still has several exciting events to enjoy this term, including the East Campus Concert on Tuesday 10 November and the Junior Concert on Thursday 26 November.
We look forward to celebrating our students’ achievements and sharing their music with families and friends. Parents and students are encouraged to check Compass regularly for event details, rehearsal arrangements and consent requirements to ensure everyone is prepared for these performances.
Dmitry Serebrianik
Learning Area Manager - Performing Arts