Creative Avenues
Melrose High School students have opportunities to participate in a range of areas involving creativity and performance. Our school has a very strong Music program with students able to study Music as a class subject as well as being a member of the school band. Music students perform at Soirees during the year, join with our local primary school bands for a workshop session each year and participate in the ACT Concert Band Festival and at other venues.
Students audition at the end of semester 1 Year 10 to join the Performance Drama class for the final semester of Year 10. This class is responsible for the major Drama performance late in the school year. During the year, students show their talents through presentations to the school community, local primary schools, script and characterisation nights, community drama festivals, Floriade and Entertainment Night. Entertainment Evening is open to all students in the school. Students audition for a spot in the program and competition is extremely strong.
Melrose High School is involved in the Dance Festival held during term 3. This activity is both an extra-curricular one for interested students and a class for Year 10 students. Due to a strong response to the extra curricular program, auditions are held during term 2 and successful participants then rehearse during term 3. For more information visit the links below. Students also can study dance as an elective and as part of the electives rotation. In 2006 the school took part in Wakakirri for the first time.
- The Instrumental Music Program
- The Concert Band
- The Beginner Band
- Performance Opportunities
- Music Camp
- Drama Productions
- Drama Camp
- Entertainment Night
- Art Displays
- Vocal Group
- Other Groups
- Instrument Hire
The Instrumental Music Program
Melrose High School offers several opportunities for students to develop instrumental music skills. Instrumental ensemble groups include the extra-curricula Concert Band, the on-line Year 7 Beginner Band and student-initiated rock and jazz groups. Elective music classes in Years 9 and 10 address the areas of performance, composition, listening and music theory.
The Concert Band
This is for students who have been playing an instrument for at least one year. Students in Years 7 - 10 are eligible to join this group which practices on Wednesdays, one lunch time and one class line per fortnight. Students may be able to hire instruments from the school if necessary. A wide variety of music is played. The band performs at school functions as well as a variety of community and local festivals throughout the school year. Rehearsals for 2013 commence in Week 3 of Term 1.
The Beginner Band
Students who attend the "Hands On" session on Thursday 8th November 2012, 2:15 pm to 3:15 pm at Melrose High School, can choose an instrument to learn to play in this class. This is always a very popular class and attendance at this introductory session is essential. This is a class for students learning a new instrument and often includes former primary school band players who wish to play a second instrument. Group instruction covers a wide range of woodwind and brass instruments and a limited number of percussion and bass guitar players. Acoustic or electric guitar and piano are not available in the band. Instruments may be hired from the school if necessary. Students who undertake this course are then encouraged to join the concert band.
Performance Opportunities
In Term One, Year 10 Drama students visit local primary schools to teach a drama lesson to kindergarten students. In Term Two they return with a play based on children's stories. In Term Three, the class performs in the Mindmatters Drama Festival with a self-devised class piece.
Music Camp
All beginner band and concert band students are eligible to attend the annual Band Camp that is held at Caloola Farm early in Term 2. Cost approximately $160. This 3-day event is a time for intense rehearsal in preparation for festivals and performances later in the year.
Drama Productions
There is a very active drama department at Melrose High School and many performances are staged throughout the year. These include minor performances for invited classes to Drama entertainment evenings, featuring Years 9 and 10. These events provide students with the chance to demonstrate their talents to parents. Years 9 and 10 students visit feeder primary schools with a specially planned show and participate in community festivals like Floriade, Mindmatters, Step into the Limelight and other venues by invitation. Year 10 Performance Drama students present a major play for a three-night season at the end of the year.
Drama Camp
Students in the Year 10 Performance Drama class attend this camp in Term One to broaden their knowledge and understanding of top level theatre productions and perormances in either Melbourne or Sydney in preparation for their major production later in the year.
Entertainment Night
Entertainment Night is held at the end of Semester One, usually at Erindale Theatre. Students from all years audition for a place in the program. All forms of creative performance are presented, with students also involved in the backstage and front of house operations.
Art Displays
Art works produced by Melrose High School students are constantly displayed around the school, at functions held in the school and occasional community venues. Students are encouraged to enter their works in student Art shows and past students have received many awards for their work. Students also have the opportunity to have their work selected for display in the Artists' Gallery on the school web site.
The Vocal Group
The Vocal Group is open to all students, from all years, who are interested in learning a wide range of musical styles. Rehearsals are held as part of the lunchtime activities program and the students perform at Soirees, Entertainment Night and community festivals.
Other Groups
Melrose High School actively encourages players of string instruments and recorders to form ensembles and perform at concerts and soirees. Students with an interest in rock music also form their own bands. These groups practise as part of the lunchtime activities program.
Instrument Hire
The school has several instruments available for hire to students who are members of the school performing groups. Preference is given to Year 7 students and then to other years according to availability.
