Our faculty had a dynamic year in 2020. Great works were produced by our students, significant new equipment was purchased and major changes to pedagogy were introduced.
Our top highlights are:
Lake Macquarie Music Scholarship
Congratulations to Zak L of Year 11 who was awarded a Music Scholarship through Lake Macquarie City Council’s “Lake Macquarie Arts Grant”. He received the scholarship for his outstanding and sophisticated compositional skills. Zak is preparing to perform some of these outstanding compositions as part of his HSC practical program.
Bushfire Fund Relief Concert - March 3, 2020
A selection of Warner Bay High School Music students hosted a Bushfire Relief Concert at school. Teachers and students enjoyed outstanding music performances and helped to raise much needed funds for the 2020 Bushfire Relief Fund.
Entertainment Excursion NIDA - ABC Studios
Year 10 and Year 11 Entertainment students embraced the opportunity to travel to Sydney to visit the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) and the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA). This fantastic experience included a visit to one of two digital television production studios, an on-air radio station, a news studio and a control room at the ABC Ultimo studios. While visiting NIDA, students were taken on a tour of this amazing facility. Students were given unique opportunities to develop their understanding of lighting, sound and technical effects for production. The lectures provided an outstanding introduction to the equipment, roles and production processes of what happens behind the scenes. This experience has enabled students to gain valuable insight into the Entertainment Industry.
Encore Nominations
We celebrate the achievements of Allira C and Meabh N who were nominated for selection into Encore. Encore is the NSW State Showcase for outstanding HSC performances. This was an outstanding and commendable accolade which reflects the highly-developed level of musicality, performance skills, and commitment that both Meabh and Allira demonstrate. Congratulations Meabh and Allira.
Reprise
We celebrate the achievements of Sophie D and Allira C who were selected to perform at Reprise. Reprise is a HSC Music Showcase, which selects the top Year 12 Music students from the Hunter and Central Coast regions to perform for and inspire upcoming musicians from a variety of schools. Congratulations Sophie and Allira.
Rockfest and Bandwidth
A number of student Rock Bands from Warners Bay High School rocked out in front of audiences and adjudicators at Rockfest 2020 and Bandwidth 2020. Our rock bands rehearsed, performed, recorded and represented the school with commitment, diligence and little bit of that rock ‘n roll spirit. For their efforts, Warners Bay High’s student rock bands received special mention from the adjudicators and invaluable performance experiences.
School Lunchtime Concerts and A-Block Serenades
Our Music students enthusiastically embraced the lifting of COVID restrictions by seizing the chance to perform at Lunchtime Concerts and A-Block Serenades. The Choir, Stage Band, soloists and rock bands performed at these events with energy and musicality, entertaining the school community while gaining much needed authentic performance experience.
Formal Assemblies
Selected Music students from all years conducted themselves with maturity, responsibility, and creativity with their performances at Warners Bay High School’s Formal Assemblies. The Formal Assemblies are prestigious events that recognise student achievements throughout the year and are attended by students and parents, as well as community members and executive staff. The Music staff are very proud of the young musicians who provided exemplars to the school and community of the high level of musicianship being produced at Warners Bay High School.
Remembrance Day Assembly
Twenty members of our talented Choir provided music for the Remembrance Day assembly. Ellie T represented the school with her highly polished and musical performance of The Last Post. The dedicated students from the Choir sang beautifully and provided an important service for the school community.
Student Leader Induction Assembly
Year 12 students performed with style and musicality at the Student Leader Induction Assembly. Hunter A played a beautiful rendition of John Butler Trio’s Ocean, while a rock group consisting of Shirley S, Dylan Mc, Larry Q and Matt D also entertained the audience with their performance. These students provided a valuable service for the school community and gained invaluable performance experience.
Virtual MADD Night Talent Quest
Fifty Music students and fifteen Entertainment students were involved in producing our inaugural Virtual MADD Night Talent Quest. The show, broadcasted on YouTube, was a huge undertaking and an equally significant success. Samanth C and Indiana H won the first prize of $300, Brianna C won second prize of $200 and Hunter A won third prize of $100. The Talent Quest was adjudicated by a panel of highly experienced and independent judges. Our Virtual MADD Night Talent Quest was an invaluable experience for all of our Music students, allowing them to perform and develop their passion for Music, Sound, and Stage, despite the challenges of COVID restrictions.
Year 12 Music Results
Warners Bay High School HSC Music students once again achieved highly impressive results in the HSC Music 1 Course. Demonstrating resilience towards the challenges the students faced with COVID restrictions, our HSC Music students earned outstanding HSC Music results: Out of a cohort of eight students, four students received Band 6’s and four received Band 5’s. Meabh N achieved a Music result of 98%. This was the highest HSC subject score for the Year 12, 2020 cohort in the entire school. These results reflect the talent, musicality, hard work and dedication characterised by the Music students and staff at Warners Bay High School.
