Performing Arts Assembly
At our Secondary assembly on Tuesday morning, we gathered as a College community to acknowledge all those students who are involved in the Performing Arts including those students involved in the various Music groups and ensembles, Dance groups and Drama.
Throughout this year, I have had the privilege and great pleasure of getting around to see some rehearsals and many performances where I have certainly been impressed with the talent on display and the willingness of boys to share these talents so generously with our community. Sometimes this is in the context of formal concerts, productions and performances and equally, it can often be in the support of assemblies, Masses, regattas or other College events. At all times the support from our students in the Performing Arts is presented with humility and a genuine sense of service. It builds community and certainly displays a Spirit of Excellence through their example.
Trinity College is full of many gifted students who consistently excel in all aspects of College life including service, sport and academics. As the Principal, I have the great privilege of attending many different and varied student performances and competitions where I get the opportunity to see first-hand, the reward for their efforts. Our assembly afforded us with the chance to formally thank and congratulate the many talented and committed students in the very diverse area of the Performing Arts - to our musicians involved in our pipes and drums band, swing bands, rock bands, concert bands, orchestras, our many ensembles and our choirs; to our dancers involved in BIG, GIG and Imperium; and to those students involved in Drama who last year brought us the College production of The Mikado and this year the Senior production of Antigone. In recognising the respective Captains and acknowledging respective group members, we were able to thank them for the performances they give, for the great success they achieve, for the positive example they set and for being wonderful ambassadors for our College.
What is particularly impressive about the students involved in the Performing Arts at this College is their dedication and commitment. While we admire the performance at events such as concert evenings, productions and Presentation Night, such quality emerges from endless hours of practice, rehearsals and individual work. Further, as our respective students, staff and parents are no doubt very aware, much of this practice and rehearsal happens very early prior to school, or after a long day at school and often on weekends.
Such dedication to the Arts and to improving personal performance and seeking excellence presents some important values including commitment, teamwork, supporting others and appreciating the whole performance while respecting the individual parts, are all values we can all aspire to. Our Performing Arts students certainly work very hard, but I am sure they take great satisfaction in their performance which can be viewed as just reward for their tremendous effort. While I often marvel at their talent and the quality of their respective performances, I am particularly taken by the sheer joy that our boys get in performing.
Of course, the quality and quantity of performance that we get to enjoy as a College needs direction and development. As a College, we are blessed to have some very dedicated teachers and tutors. Led by Dr Braham, they work with and alongside our students to nurture their skills and encourage love for the arts. We sincerely thank them for their dedication and their ability to inspire our boys.
In closing my address at the Performing Arts Assembly, I finished with a message to all students:
“In appreciating the efforts and celebrating the talents of our boys involved in the Performing Arts, the challenge remains for each and every one of us to share our particular talents and to strive for excellence in what we do. To strive is to give your best so that we can recognise your achievements and so we can all benefit from you sharing your talents within our community. Whether your talents, ideas and pursuit of personal excellence is in the area of your academic studies, the Dance program, Music, Sport or in Christian Service, the fact remains that your success will require a commitment, a clear desire to learn and improve and put in some hard work. All things that each and every one of us is capable of.
So, in gathering today as a College community, let us celebrate those students who generously share their talents with us and in doing so have demonstrated a Spirit of Excellence in our school. We wish them well over the coming months as they perform in many different mediums including festivals and concert evenings. I trust that everyone can truly appreciate their efforts and understand that reward emerges at the end of a well-worn path of commitment, hard work and practice. With exams looming for most students over the next few weeks, I hope that every student can personally commit to similar.”
Live Jesus in our hearts
Mr. Darren O’Neill
Principal
For more from our Performing Arts Assembly, including images, visit here.
