Performing Arts
Music Matters
What a week it was!
This week has once again highlighted the important role our musicians play in enriching College life, providing wonderful entertainment and contributing to significant events both within the College and in the wider community.
Senior Jazz Band at Manly Jazz Festival
Our Senior Jazz Band performed brilliantly yet again at the Manly Jazz Festival on Saturday morning. They delighted the crowd, and gained plenty of new fans of all ages, with strong support from family, friends and some College staff. Congratulations to Aiden Lindsay (trombone), Oliver Sudbury (guitar) and Harry Moran (trumpet) on their fabulous solos and special thanks to their ensemble director, Mr Geoff Power, for his incredible leadership of these talented young men and wonderful, toe-tapping repertoire choices. We are sad to see our Year 12s leave us, who have all made such a wonderful contribution to not only the Senior Jazz Ensemble, but a wide variety of ensembles during their time at the College.
Music at our Graduation Celebrations
A heartfelt thank you to our wonderful Junior and Senior Chorales and our organist, Ms Stephanie Gan, for their beautiful music at Tuesday evening’s Graduation Mass, helping to make this such a memorable and meaningful occasion.
Year 12 student Antony Autore delivered a superb rendition of the Responsorial Psalm, while Year 11 Music student Marko Fry demonstrated exceptional technical skill and musicality on the pipe organ, as our graduating students entered the Church for the final time as a cohort. Marko also provided a beautiful instrumental accompaniment during the Offertory procession.
We are incredibly proud of our talented musicians, whose contributions added so much to this very special celebration for our Year 12 students and their families.
Our Graduation ceremony on Wednesday saw our Intermediate Concert Band providing ceremonial music, with entertainment provided by our Year 12 HSC Music soloists, Rhys Bourke (alto saxophone), Kody Tabalon (drums) and Aiden Lindsay (piano) and Alex Tharakan (piano) who demonstrated their hard work, virtuosic skills and musicality to the College community. Our drumline was remarkable in leading out the Graduating class of 2026 through the Junior School guard of honour, to round out the Graduation Ceremony.
Year 10 Students at Willoughby Council Arts and Culture Forum
On Tuesday, a group of our Year 10 Performing and Visual Arts students proudly represented the College at the Future of Willoughby Arts and Culture Forum. The students participated in collaborative brainstorming sessions, exploring ways in which Willoughby Council can further promote and support young people’s engagement in the arts. They then had the opportunity to present their ideas directly to Council representatives, contributing their voices and perspectives to discussions about the future of arts and culture in our local community.
Performing Arts Festival - Private Tuition Studio Concerts
In Term 4, every student undertaking private music tuition at the College has the opportunity to perform in a special recital organised by their tutor. These recitals provide a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their progress in an intimate and supportive setting, while also enjoying performances by their peers and discovering new repertoire to inspire their own musical development.
Please see the schedule below, listed by tutor name:
Please contact your tutor directly should you require further details.
Special Events in Term 4
I wish you and your family an enjoyable holiday break and look forward to sharing more exciting Performing Arts opportunities with our students and their families next term.
Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts
Drama Matters
SAVE THE DATE:
Drama Elective Showcase: Friday 23 October from 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Years 9, 10 and 11 will share some of their excellent classwork and assessment performances from 2026. Save the date and come along to witness some of the wonderful talent we have at the College! It is shaping up to be an outstanding year of dramatic work.
Year 11 Elective Drama
Congratulations to our Year 11 Drama students, who came in over the weekend to complete their Group Project. Their final performance assessment was exceptionally well rehearsed and performed, concluding with a very powerful message. You can see this performance at the upcoming showcase.
Treasure Island
Students involved in Treasure Island had their first full cast meeting this week. It was fantastic to have everyone in the room and hear the variety of accents and voices that will bring this exciting and fun production to life.
Students took home their scripts, contracts and rehearsal schedules, and we also found time for costume fittings. Every actor will have a costume hired from The Wardrobe, which will help bring the world of Treasure Island to life on stage. Please read and sign the contract and get it back to us ASAP! If your son was away on Monday please ask him to see Mr Serone to be fitted for his costume.
We are very excited to see this production develop over the coming months!
Please be aware that Year 9 students involved in the play (who have been at camp) will be expected to come to the first rehearsal on Friday 16 October. Also remember if you are sick please email either myself PLindley@stpiusx.com.au or Ms Ryan
Upcoming events
Friday 16 October: Treasure Island rehearsals begin with an ALL CAST singing and rehearsals. Students in Year 9 please be reminded you are expected to be at this rehearsal after camp.
We will create a Clipboard group for you to advise us of any illnesses.
Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama
PAPA news
Tommy Dean, Fiona Cox, Bruce Griffiths and Simon Kennedy live at SPX!
With less than four weeks to go, PAPA Comedy Night returns on Saturday 17 October with an outstanding line-up of professional comedians bringing national and festival-stage experience to SPX.
Enjoy a sharp, entertaining evening of comedy while supporting Performing Arts at SPX.
Tickets are $50 and include one complimentary drink.
Book now to secure your seat for one of the most anticipated nights on the school calendar: https://events.humanitix.com/spx-papa-comedy-night-2026
Please note: This is an 18+ event. Current SPX students are not eligible to attend.
Mrs Sylvia Ulevik - PAPA President - papaparents@pandf.spx.nsw.edu.au