Performing Arts
Music Matters
Open Day Success!
A huge congratulations to our talented musicians and dedicated Ensemble Directors for their outstanding performances at Open Day last Saturday! The College was alive with incredible music spanning various styles and genres, creating a truly special atmosphere as our ensembles entertained the crowds.
A heartfelt thank you to our Music Ensembles Coordinator, Mr. Andrew Saar, our Cocurricular Administration Assistant, Mrs Merryn Dodd, and our dedicated Ensemble Directors: Ms Laura Power, Mr Geoff Power, Mrs Stella Talati, Mr Ian Talati, Mr Shane Cranney, Mr David Sismey, Mr Brendan Jones and Mr Stephen Cummins. Your commitment and passion for nurturing these young musicians is truly inspiring.
We also extend our deepest gratitude to our amazing PAPA (Performing Arts Parents Association) team, led by the wonderful Mrs Sylvia Ulevik. Their unwavering support and enthusiasm for the Performing Arts shone throughout the day, especially in their very own marquee!
Thank you to everyone who made Open Day such a memorable celebration of music in our St Pius X community.
Superband for Bishop’s Mass – Week 11: Our Junior and Senior Chorales, College Orchestra, Senior Concert Band and Drumline will combine to create a ‘Superband’ providing music for the Bishop’s Blessing and Consecration of the New Altar and Waterford Learning Centre Mass.
Rehearsals will be outside at SPX as follows:
- Monday 7 April – 1:00 pm – 3:10 pm (the rest of the school will be leaving early due to the noise disruption to classes)
- Tuesday 8 April – 7:30 am sound check/tech rehearsal
- Tuesday April 8 – 9:30 am Bishop’s Mass.
Students involved will receive an email next week. Year groups are having singing practice to familiarise themselves with the chosen hymns and parts of the mass.
An Evening of Jazz with James Morrison
Tickets are now on sale to see this legendary Australian Jazz icon at St Pius X College!
James will be working with our jazz ensemble students throughout the day on Friday 23 May, followed by a masterclass with his quartet for all our interested musicians after school.
This day will culminate in a special concert that evening, where James will be performing with our jazz ensembles as well as his own quartet and will also include performances by our concert bands. An email has been sent to Performing Arts families detailing which students will be performing and therefore won’t require a ticket. We hope you can join us for this extraordinary event!
Tickets can be purchased at:
or using the QR code:
College Drama production: Oliver Twist tickets are now on sale!
Oliver Twist: we are excited to announce that tickets are now on sale for the College’s production of the play, Oliver Twist. Performances are Week 1 next term on 30 April, 1 May and 2 May, at 7:00 pm in the Zenith Theatre, Chatswood.
Our Leader of Learning, Drama, Ms Penny Lindley, with assistance from Mr Andrew Saar and Mr Stephen Cummins (music) are working with a talented cast from SPX, Mercy College and Loreto Normanhurst. They have all been working tirelessly to produce an entertaining and thoughtful rendition of this classic. Our last production sold out, so don’t miss out! All tickets are a very reasonable $30.
Book your tickets here:
More important dates for your diaries:
Term 1
PAPA parents’ social evening – 28 March, 6:30 pm, The Willoughby Hotel
- HSC Major Works Day & Music Performance Assessments – Friday 4 April
- Senior Jazz Performance - Wednesday 9 April, Forestville RSL Concert , 6:45 pm - 9:00 pm
Term 2
Oliver Twist College drama production – 30 April, 1 May, 2 May, 7:00 pm, at the Zenith Theatre, Chatswood - tickets on sale now
- Jazz Workshop Day - SPX, Sunday 4 May, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
James Morrison Workshop Day - Masterclass and Concert - 23 May
Chamber Music Concert - Friday 30 May, 7:00 pm, Sarto Centre
- Junior Jazz - Sydney Eisteddfod Tuesday 10 June 6:30 pm – time tbc
- Intermediate Concert Band (ICB) - Sydney Eisteddfod - Wednesday 11 June 4:00 pm – time tbc
- Elective Music Performance Evening - SPX - Monday 16 June
- Intermediate Concert Band workshop - Sunday 22 June - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
- ICB - NSW State Band Championships (time TBC) - Sunday 24 August
Term 3
PAPA Comedy Fundraiser – 20 September
Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts
From PAPA:
SAVE THE DATE: PAPA parents and carers' social event
It’s not too late to RSVP to attend our first social event to connect with other Performing Arts parents and carers. No cost – just purchase your own drinks.
Tomorrow, 6:30 pm at the Willoughby Hotel.
Please register either via the QR code above or using the link below:
Open Day Thank You
Last Saturday's Open Day saw the first Performing Arts stall, manned by PAPA Committee volunteers. It was a great opportunity to engage with prospective families and share our performing arts initiatives.
Drama Matters
Oliver Twist
Please remember to tell your friends and book tickets to the show. We are starting to run the two acts during rehearsals and students should be remembering their motivations and their blocking for each scene.
Students are asked to be at every rehearsal. They should bring schoolwork, laptops and scripts so they can use their time productively. All lines must now be learnt with no exceptions. We have a Sunday rehearsal for the next two weeks.
Upcoming Rehearsals
Intermediate Drama Ensemble
This term, our ensemble has been having a fantastic time focusing on master and servant relationships, status, and the physical embodiment of emotions. Students are working in smaller groups and presenting their work to the whole class. Last week, we delved into melodrama techniques and expanded our character range. We are fortunate to have Michael Krizan from the Drama class of 2024 joining us, and the students have greatly appreciated his insights. He has been particularly impressed with their improvisational skills and bold acting choices. This ensemble will continue until Week 10, with our final session on 3 April before the break.
Junior Drama Ensemble - there will be no Junior Drama Ensemble this week - Friday 28 March.
Upcoming events
Oliver Twist Rehearsals: Ongoing – please check the schedule. ALL CAST rehearsals begin from Friday 14 March. Tickets are ON SALE NOW!
Oliver Twist: Holiday Rehearsals and pre-Zenith Dress Rehearsals: 24 April - 27 April ALL CAST, crew and musicians on certain days. Students will rehearse with costumes and props so this will be a very exciting time.
Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama