Hitting the big stage isn’t an issue for two Berwick high schoolers, as they gear themselves up in preparation for the Victorian State Schools Spectacular on 13 September.
Tara, a Year 12 student from Berwick Secondary College, will play the viola as part of the orchestra performance, and she “couldn’t be more excited” about it.
“I’m a little bit nervous, but also very keen; I’ve been practising the pieces and that has helped me become more confident, and very excited to be able to play them in front of a bigger audience,” she said.
Being part of the Casey Philharmonic Orchestra, Tara is no stranger to teamwork, hard work, and crowds, adding that the small concerts the group performs have helped bolster her for this coming moment.
Estelle, a Year 9 student also from Berwick Secondary, will be performing as the principal dancer during the day, confident that her skills will be more than enough to put on a show.
“I’m nervous, but mostly excited really; here’s going to be a large crowd and I’m going to be performing with my second family,” she said.
The Victorian State School Spectacular, or Spectacular for short, is an annual blend of song, dance and circus, accompanied by lights, costumes and a 75-piece orchestra.
A performance that has been ongoing for the last 30 years, this year’s theme is ‘On Air’, described as an experience where dreams take flight, friendships shine, and every young voice is heard.
Reflecting on her musical journey, Tara said that she initially began with the piano when she was in primary school, an instrument she consistently played until high school.
That was until she yearned to learn another, and when her school needed viola players, she put her hand up.
“I was in strings, but I didn’t know what string instrument I wanted to do, and my school needed players; and so I started out on viola,” she said.
“I definitely fell in love; I’ve been playing it for three years now, and I’m just happy to be able to play it.”
That love extends far beyond herself, however, adding that the reason she chose the viola was because she felt it was the perfect instrument that let her speak.
“You’re really able to express yourself through the music and with different techniques of bowing, pizzicato and all of that,” she said.
“I think it has a really rich tone to it, a rich sound, it’s in that middle range which sounds just about right.”
Estelle saw a similar journey, recalling that her mum had taken her to her first dancing lessons when she was just two years old.
While she laughed about not remembering anything when she was that young, she did remember the love she felt for it back then, a love that has not waned over the years.
“When I grew up, all I could remember was that I really enjoyed it, I really enjoyed being able to express myself through dancing,” she said.
“But I also really like making friends through it, it’s where I made my second family, and it’s where we all have something in common that we love.”
Performing with roughly 20 other principal dancers and having been chosen for the role once before, Estelle is confident in her upcoming performance, ready to brave the bright lights on the big stage.
Two other students from Berwick Secondary College will also be performing, with Laila part of the First Nations Ensemble and Hydee part of the VSSS Choir.
Ultimately, both Tara, Estelle and other students in Casey have their sights set on the 13th, their brimming with excitement to become one with their dance, song and melodies.
