Performing Arts
Music Matters
Year 10 Music and Drama Students Shine at the Celebration of Learning
Our Year 10 Music and Drama students shone at the Celebration of Learning Assembly, held at The Concourse on Monday.
Congratulations to our talented musicians who performed Olivia Dean’s smash hit ‘Man I Need’ to an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. Lead vocalist PJ Keledjian brought his usual entertaining flair and stage presence, supported by his Elective Music classmates Jake Kiem (trumpet), Hamish Sullivan (trombone), Harry Mackinlay (guitar), Jackson Byak (piano) and Samson Symeonidis (drums), with Noah Watson (Year 11) on bass guitar.
The creative talents of our Year 10 Elective Music students were also showcased, with original compositions by Harry Thomas, Jackson Byak and Oscar Requin selected by the Visual Arts Department to provide the musical backdrop for a video presentation celebrating student artworks. See the drama section for information relating to our talented actors’ performance.
The event provided a wonderful opportunity for our students to share their creativity, musicianship and curriculum learning with the wider College community, and to celebrate the outstanding work taking place across the Performing and Visual Arts.
Leadership positions: An email has been sent to all Year 11 students inviting them to apply for a leadership position in the Performing Arts. Performing Arts Captains hold many responsibilities in promoting and supporting both Music and Drama at the College, so a passion for the Performing Arts, as well as a strong commitment to our cocurricular and/or curriculum programs, is vital. Suitable applicants will be interviewed by myself and Ms Lindley next week.
Intermediate and Senior Concert Bands to compete at the State Band Championships on Sunday 23 August at The Joan in Penrith:
Details have been emailed to relevant families from their ensemble directors.
Here is the link for parents and friends to purchase tickets for State Band Championships
https://www.thejoan.com.au/whats-on/nsw-band-championships-130th-anniversary/
Students are to wear full winter uniform with polished shoes please. This is a fabulous event and it’s great to see our hardworking ensembles take part with some of the best in the State! A very special thanks to our incredible ensemble directors, Ms Laura Power and Mr Geoff Power for the wonderful work they do with our talented young musicians.
HSC Music Showcase – Wednesday 27 August
Families and members of our College community are warmly invited to enjoy the outstanding work of our HSC students at our annual HSC Major Works Showcase: Splinters, Splashes, Sounds, Snaps, Stage and Stories, on Wednesday 27 August from 6:00 pm in the Band Room.
Always a highlight of the Performing Arts calendar, this special evening celebrates the creativity, dedication and exceptional talents of our HSC Music students through a diverse range of performances and original compositions. It provides a wonderful opportunity to experience the impressive work our students have developed throughout their senior studies and to celebrate their achievements as they approach their final HSC practical examinations.
The Showcase is also particularly valuable for our younger Elective Music students, offering inspiration for future repertoire and composition choices, while providing an insight into the standard of musicianship, preparation and performance expected at HSC level, in all courses.
We warmly encourage families, students and members of our College community to join us for this inspiring celebration of our senior Performing Arts students.
Concert Club #3 reminder: September 3, 2026 – Sydney Opera House
Free tickets, generously provided by PAPA, are now available via Clipboard for interested Performing Arts students in Years 9–12 to attend our final Concert Club event of the year on Thursday 3 September.
The program features an exciting Concerto for Two Pianos, alongside Italian composer Ottorino Respighi’s magnificent orchestral work, The Pines of Rome. This promises to be a wonderful evening of live orchestral music and a fitting finale to our 2026 Concert Club series.
Students are to meet outside the cloakroom of the Concert Hall on Level 1 at 6:30 pm and must make their own way to and from the Opera House.
The 2MBS Young Virtuoso Award
Attention musicians, singers, teachers and parents. The 2MBS Young Virtuoso Award has opened for 2026.
Applications close 5:00 pm Friday 25 September.
Click the link below for all the information
https://www.2mbsfinemusicsydney.com/yva/
Term 3 Performing Arts dates
Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts
Drama Matters
Celebration of Learning
Congratulations to all the students who performed at our Celebration of Learning on Monday. It was wonderful to see their creativity, confidence and enthusiasm on display. You never know which student sitting in the audience might be inspired by their performance to discover their own passion for creativity and take the first step towards performing in Music or Drama.
Drama Cocurricular Showcase - Thursday 13 August
Please join us for this week’s Cocurricular Showcase on Thursday. A big thank you to PAPA for generously providing pizza for our rehearsal on Sunday, as well as snacks for the actors during the event. This support is always greatly appreciated by both staff and students.
TREASURE ISLAND
Audition Dates (CHOOSE ONE SESSION TO ATTEND)
Friday 14 August, 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Sunday 16 August, 10:00 am – 11:30 am
Please see attached the audition/rehearsal booklet:
Upcoming DRAMA events for Term 3:
(Week 4) Thursday 13 August 5:00 pm: Intermediate & Senior Drama Ensemble Showcase. All students involved should stay behind after school to rehearse. Ms Lindley will send home an email regarding costume that can be brought from home to wear.
(Week 4) Friday 14 August 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm: Treasure Island audition #1
(Week 4) Sunday 16 August 10:00 am - 11:30 am: Treasure Island audition #2
(Week 9) Wednesday 16 September 10:00 am: Elective Drama students go to Belvoir Street Theatre to see The Book of Everything.
(Week 10) Monday 21 September 3:20 pm - 5:00 pm: Treasure Island cast meet up, workshop and costume measurements taken.
Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama
PAPA news – Comedy Night is back!
🎤 Get ready, SPX community, for a night filled with laughter and fun to support a worthy cause
Now in it's 3rd year, the Performing Arts Parents’ Association (PAPA) presents a comedy line-up featuring some of the sharpest (and funniest) comedic minds on the scene. Expect belly laughs, witty banter and a whole lot of good vibes.
On the mic:
🙌 Tommy Dean
🙌 Fiona Cox
🙌 Bruce Griffiths
🙌 our very own Simon Kennedy!
PAPA is raising funds to help complete sound and stage upgrades that will facilitate the boys’ music and drama activities, so get on board to support this worthy cause.
$50 per ticket (includes 1 drink).
Beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks available to purchase on the night.
Donations also welcome.
Use COMEDYNIGHTEARLYBIRD until 16 August (inclusive) to get $5 off each ticket!
Buy your ticket today – https://events.humanitix.com/spx-papa-comedy-night-2026
PLEASE NOTE – This event is for attendees aged 18+ and current SPX students are not eligible to attend.
Mrs Sylvia Ulevik - PAPA President - papaparents@pandf.spx.nsw.edu.au