The Thistle - An E-Newsletter of Scotch College, Perth, Western Australia

Performing Arts

As I write this article, some twenty one students from the Scotch College Pipe Band A Team are packing their instruments and equipment in preparation for their tour to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. It is an incredible honour to be invited to join the bands, musicians and performers from all over the world. It's particularly poignant that this year's theme The Sky's the Limit was chosen to embrace Scotland's Year of Young People.

Hundreds of hours of rehearsal and practice are about to culminate in an experience many could only ever dream of achieving.

Touring with any kind of performing arts ensemble is one of life's most exciting and rewarding experiences. It's different to touring for a sporting fixture, or a community service trip, a cultural immersion tour or going on a holiday. In any performance situation, the group is only as good as the weakest member of the ensemble. This builds an innate sense of reliability and responsibility: each member of the ensemble relies critically on the others performing with the highest level of skill. Deep relationships are formed as a result. Memories are forged and they'll last long enough to have stories for the grandkids. Those that are able to experience such an opportunity are truly privileged.

Planning for future tours from within the Scotch Performing Arts Department is well underway. In 2019, our Drama students will have the opportunity to tour to the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). Pipe Band students will have the opportunity to audition for performance opportunity at the Basel Tattoo and Jazz Musicians will have the opportunity to tour to Generations in Jazz. In 2020, other musicians will have an opportunity to tour for performances in South East Asia. Opportunities such as these are one of the many benefits of choosing to be involved in the Performing Arts at Scotch College.

As you read this article, the Pipe Band boys and staff will be mid-way through a demanding series of four full fourteen hour rehearsal days. They will follow this with a month of nightly performances (most of them double shows). I invite you to think of the boys during this time and tune in with a sense of pride when the Tattoo is televised (usually on New Year's Eve)!

Mr Scott Loveday
Head of Performing Arts