Performing Arts
Music Matters
Fathers’ Day Mass
Junior and Senior Chorales are to meet at 7am outside MR1 before walking to the Church to warm up for Mass at 7:30 am. Special thanks to Antony Autore, Year 12 for cantoring the Psalm and to Marko Fry, Year 11 for his Pipe Organ instrumental during offertory, which will help to make this Mass an even more special one.
Junior, Intermediate and Senior Guitar Ensembles will be providing entertainment for the Father’s Day breakfast following the Mass. Students have been emailed details by their ensemble director, Mr Cranney.
Twilight Concert – Farewell to Seniors
Friday 4 September, 5:00 pm | College Gym
Join us this Friday evening for one of the most special events on our Performing Arts calendar, our Twilight Concert – Farewell to Seniors.
The concert will bring together musicians from across our cocurricular ensemble program for a wonderful evening of live music, while also featuring several of our talented Year 12 HSC Music students as soloists. It promises to be a fitting celebration of their musicianship and achievements as they approach the end of their time at the College.
A highlight of the evening will be PAPA’s special farewell to our graduating Year 12 Performing Arts students by our PAPA committee, recognising the commitment, enthusiasm and talent these students have shared with our Music and Drama community throughout their years at SPX. For many, this will be their final performance at a College concert, making the evening an especially meaningful occasion for students, families and staff.
You are invited to join us for an evening of outstanding music and help us celebrate and farewell our wonderful Year 12 musicians.
Performing ensembles include:
- Rock Ensemble
- Intermediate Concert Band
- Senior Chorale
- Brass Quintet
- String Ensemble
- Intermediate Jazz Ensemble
- String Quartet
- Senior Percussion Ensemble
- Senior Concert Band
- Senior Jazz Ensemble
- Year 12 soloists
Please note: Not all College ensembles perform at the Twilight Concert.
PAPA will generously provide a complimentary BBQ for all performers, with food also available for purchase by families and friends prior to the concert. Card payments only.
Parking will be available on the College grounds.
We hope you can join us for this special evening as we farewell our senior musicians and celebrate another wonderful year of Performing Arts at SPX.
Drumline – Chatswood Spring Fair Parade, Saturday 5 September
Special thanks to our Drumline, led by Dr JB Smith who will be representing the College and the broader OLD Parish community as they march in the Chatswood Spring Fair Parade. Students will need to be in full uniform and meet Dr Smith at the Band Room at 12:30 pm. Please wear your College cap and bring water.
Splinters, Splashes, Sounds, Snaps, Stage & Stories
Thank you to all the families and members of our College community who were able to join us in the Band Room for our HSC Music Showcase, where our Year 12 Music students performed selections from their HSC repertoire with their accompanists ahead of their upcoming practical examinations.
The evening provided a more relaxed and intimate format than our usual concerts, with audience members able to come and go between performances while also enjoying the outstanding Major Works presented by students across other subjects.
For our musicians, it was another valuable opportunity to perform their repertoire in a supportive setting and share their hard work and musicianship with family, friends and the wider College community as they made their final preparations for their HSC practical examinations.
We thank everyone who came along to support our talented Year 12 students and wish them every success in their upcoming HSC examinations:
Music 1 - Friday 11 September and
Music 2 and Extension - Thursday 17 September.
Father's Day special offer – PAPA Comedy Night (17 October)
Looking for the perfect Father's Day gift? Treat Dad (or yourself!) to a night of laughs with some of Australia's sharpest comedy talent.
Use promo code COMEDYNIGHTFATHERSDAY before 6 September and receive $5 off every ticket.
Buy your ticket today – https://events.humanitix.com/spx-papa-comedy-night-2026
COMPOSITION COMPETITION
Next week I’ll be able to share some exciting news regarding a Composition Competition to celebrate our 90th anniversary next year. This competition will be open to all current students, staff and Old Boys. Stay tuned!
HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS:
If your son loves music and/or drama, check out these fun holiday activities on offer at some of our country’s most prestigious performing arts institutions:
Sydney Conservatorium of Music:
Songlab – Songwriting:
Workshops and Festivals - Conservatorium Open Academy
National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA)
Holiday Workshops include acting for screen, acting boot camps and musical theatre boot camps:
Sydney Dance Company:
https://www.sydneydancecompany.com/classes/youth-program/school-holiday-workshops/
Term 3 Performing Arts dates
Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts
Drama Matters
Upcoming DRAMA events for Term 3:
(Week 8) Wednesday 9 September 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Extra Treasure Island audition (if needed). Students will be given their roles in Treasure Island in Week 8.
(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 for a fantastic night of laughter and entertainment – all while supporting Performing Arts at SPX!
Now in its third year, the Performing Arts Parents’ Association (PAPA) Comedy Night returns with another brilliant line-up featuring some of the sharpest – and funniest – comedic talent on the scene.
On the mic:
🙌 Tommy Dean
🙌 Fiona Cox
🙌 Bruce Griffiths
🙌 And our very own Simon Kennedy!
Funds raised from the evening will help PAPA complete important sound and stage upgrades, directly enhancing Music and Drama opportunities and experiences for our students.
Tickets are $50, including one complimentary drink. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, along with snacks, will also be available for purchase throughout the evening. Donations are also warmly welcomed.
Gather your friends and join us for a fabulous night of comedy, community and fun – all in support of Performing Arts at SPX!
Buy your ticket today – https://events.humanitix.com/spx-papa-comedy-night-2026
PLEASE NOTE – This is an 18+ event, and current SPX students are not eligible to attend.
Mrs Sylvia Ulevik - PAPA President - papaparents@pandf.spx.nsw.edu.au