Performing Arts

Music Matters

Remembrance Day: A heartfelt thank you to the Senior Concert Band, under the direction of Mrs Stella Talati and Noah Watson, for their beautiful musical contribution to our Remembrance Day assembly on Monday. We were also privileged to have Knox Grammar's Pipe Major, Lochlan Stevenson, whose performance added a profound sense of reverence and ceremony to the service.

Twilight Concert: 22 November. We are excited to invite you to our Twilight Concert on Friday 22 November, where all ensembles will showcase their talents. Starting at 5:00 pm and concluding with a festive Christmas Carols sing-along, everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy a fun musical evening! It promises to be a truly special event, and we look forward to seeing you there.

All performers are asked to meet in the gym at 3:30 pm for an important briefing about the evening's schedule and to receive their complimentary performer ticket for the BBQ, kindly sponsored by the PAPA Committee and supportive parents. There will also be food and ice creams available for the school community to purchase throughout the evening.

News from PAPA…

We are all looking forward to the annual Christmas Twilight Concert next Friday (22 November).

PAPA is providing 2 BBQ sausage sandwiches and a drink for FREE to each boy who will perform at the concert.

In addition, we are selling sausage sandwiches and drinks before and during the concert as in previous years PLUS, FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE WILL ALSO BE SELLING…

Burgers
Magnums & Calippos

If you are able to help us, we would greatly appreciate some volunteers on the day to cook, serve and clean up. Even if you can only help for an hour, that will make a big difference!

Please use the link below to add yourself to our sign up sheet.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45A4AE28ABFAC61-53154747-christmas

Performing Arts Captains for 2025: It is with great excitement that I announce our new Performing Arts Captains. You may not realise that over 400 students—more than a third of our entire College community—actively participate in co-curricular music and drama, which is truly remarkable. These student leaders will be instrumental in fostering connections with our younger musicians and actors.

Performing Arts Captain: Patrick Elliott

Vice-Captain Music: Robbie Oner

Vice-Captain Drama: Jonty Cortis-Jones

During the interview process for these leadership roles, these young men showcased exceptional passion, vision, and initiative. Their enthusiasm and forward-thinking ideas will undoubtedly shape and inspire the future of Performing Arts at our school.

‘Dear Evan Hansen’: Elective Music and Drama students will be going to the Sydney Theatre Company next week to see the musical, ‘Dear Evan Hansen’. Parents have been emailed information for purchasing tickets via Clipboard.

Instrument hire return: Please ensure your son returns his instrument to the music office after his last rehearsal or lesson this term. The school organises servicing for all instruments as per the rental policy agreement and they will be available for collection from Week 1 next term

Performing Arts holiday ideas!

Take your family to the Sydney Opera House to enjoy the music of Home Alone being performed live as you watch the movie! Tickets are selling fast

https://www.sydneysymphony.com/concerts/home-alone-in-concert

Upcoming Performing Arts dates for your diaries:

Week 6 – Wednesday 20 November – Musical Theatre Excursion ‘Dear Evan Hansen’, all Elective Music and Drama students.
Week 6 - Friday 22 November – Christmas Twilight Concert – 5:00 pm – All Ensembles – More details to come regarding this concert.
Week 7 - Monday 25 November – Junior School Graduation, Oxford Falls – Junior Chorale
Week 8 - Tuesday 3 December – rehearsals at Oxford Falls
Week 8 - Wednesday 4 December – Thanksgiving Mass and Annual Awards Ceremony at Oxford Falls –TBC

And for next year's planning:

Term 1, 2025:

Week 2, Tuesday 11 February - 6:00 pm, Performing Arts parents information evening, followed by the PAPA AGM at 7:00 pm

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

Drama Matters

Oliver Twist Rehearsals

It was wonderful to get everyone in the same vicinity on Friday and conduct our publicity photographs for the program and poster. We have 35 in the cast from 3 separate schools plus 10 students working as the crew. Thanks to Ms Kate Caron from Mercy College who helped provide us with extra costumes. Ms Felicity Barrett was on hand to take shots along with Mr Andrew Sarr who helped co-ordinate costumes and set pieces.

We have a rehearsal on SUNDAY, so please ask your son to check his schedule.

If you must miss a rehearsal for any reason, please email Ms Lindley as soon as possible.

Please confirm with your son if he is available for the extra rehearsals during the holidays. This will be a wonderful opportunity to complete some detailed character work and get help from a professional voice coach. Dates are below.

Annual Drama Showcase Event

It is a busy time for us in the Performing Arts Department with rehearsals and concerts happening throughout the term. This is our annual Drama Showcase where all elective Drama students will perform some of their work from this year. We will hopefully be joined by some keen actors from the Intermediate Drama Ensemble who will perform short skits from our recent rehearsals. Please join us from 5:00 pm at the Sarto Centre next Thursday. Your son should stay at school for a rehearsal and pack an extra snack to eat after school.

Upcoming Drama Events

Week 6: 20 November - Music & Drama Excursion to STC to see Dear Evan Hansen. Students will meet on the veranda at the start of P2 and head to the theatre with their teachers

Week 6: 21 November at 5:30 pm - Drama Night Showcase – Elective Drama students will present their work. Students will stay after school to rehearse in the Sarto Centre.

HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS FOR OLIVER TWIST:

Thursday 23 January & Friday 24 January 2025 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama