Scotch College

Schools for Music Drama and Communication
Centrepiece of a Master Plan
New Heart for Scotch and the Arts
Why you should give...

The James Forbes Academy

Towards a New Heart for Scotch and the Arts

For centuries, the arts have enriched our lives and deepened our understanding of the world and ourselves. In memorable moments and indelible images, they share gifts and showcase talents which touch, tantalise, move, involve, affect, connect, immerse, illuminate, instruct and inspire.

With unique, purpose-built, world-class facilities, the arts of music, drama and communication will flourish even further - at Scotch and in the wider community - under the aegis of The James Forbes Academy.

The case for the Academy is set out in the Principal's article on page 2 of this issue.

The project is a monumental exercise in creating a triumphant sense of balance. Consider the expenditure on buildings for sport, resources, technology, languages and staff over the last fifteen years alone. The arts have not benefited from major capital works since the completion of the present Music School in 1939. The James Forbes Academy will bring a global balance to the Scotch experience. Just as the arts help to make a complete society, so the Academy will help to make Scotch a complete school.

A driving force behind many institutions in early Melbourne, the Rev. James Forbes founded Scotch College (as the Melbourne Academy), but sadly did not live to see his vision complete. The James Forbes Academy will perpetually honour this outstanding religious, educational and civic pioneer with a breathtaking array of facilities:

• A total of 35 music teaching and practice rooms for individuals and groups.
• A 500-seat auditorium specifically designed for music.
• A 500-seat theatre purpose-built for drama and the spoken word and featuring a generously sized orchestra- pit. Both the music auditorium and the theatre will be capable of holding two year-groups.
• A choral and string studio, seating up to 120 for intimate performances.
• Drama and communication classrooms.
• Set construction and storage areas, wardrobe, Green Room and well equipped dressing-rooms.
• Spacious and versatile foyers and outside terraces with superb views from the Chapel to the Memorial Hall.
• Studios containing state-of-the-art control, recording and multimedia technology.
• Offices for the Schools of Music, Drama and Communication and for visiting teachers and companies.
• Box office and catering facilities.

The principal beneficiaries of these splendid facilities will of course be generations of Scotch boys and their teachers. Every space in this extensive complex - from the smallest teaching studio to the largest auditorium - will be alive with the sights and sounds of creative school activities, involving everyone from the youngest Prep boy to the oldest Old Boy.

In addition to house and school music, plays, debates, communication classes and visiting performers and speakers, the Academy will be ideal for professional and social music-making and dramatic productions, film screenings, multimedia, conferences, lectures, forums, festivals and other special events.

It is envisaged that the Academy will be available for use by the wider community, subject to school commitments and any restrictions which may be imposed by planning authorities. Patterns of usage will be fully established once the major performing spaces are completed. The Academy will be built in stages, beginning with the Music School, which it is hoped will be opened in 2001 as part of Scotch's 150th anniversary celebrations.

Great Scot
June 1999

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