Senior School 

Performing Arts

Music Camp

Music Camp will be held at KWS from Friday 19 March to Sunday 21 March 2021. Students will attend camp at school each day from 8.45am to 8.30pm.  Music Camp runs outside Camps Week, which means that all students will then be able to participate in regular Camps Week activities. All students in Orchestra, Concert Band, Chamber Strings and Stage Band will be expected to participate in Music Camp during those dates. This is an exciting opportunity to get to know other musicians, have lots of fun and learn great repertoire for the year.  Further information regarding Music Camp will be emailed to families soon. 

Musical 2021  

After much deliberation and discussion, we have decided that we will produce The Addams Family for 2021. Whilst this production was originally set for 2020, we were unable to proceed with the rehearsal or performance schedule due to COVID-19 restrictions. There are several advantages to continuing with this show for 2021. We are able to pick up rehearsals of lead characters where we left off, which will mean a huge head start on the rehearsal process. 

 With the current COVID-19 restrictions that allow only 5 people to sing at one time, our chorus this year will look slightly different. As such we will be holding open auditions for a small dance-only chorus and a couple of cameo roles that have not been fully cast.  

Dance auditions will take place this Friday 19th from 3:30- 5:30pm in the Performance Theatre. Students will be taught a short dance and will then audition in small groups. Please come along if you are interested! 

We are also looking to cast the role Lurch: Lurch is the Addams family butler, and knows all the family secrets.  A man of very few words, Lurch mostly responds in drawn out groans — without becoming a cartoon version of himself.  His movement is always very slow. Must be able to sing a bass part, ideally with an operatic flair, for a small comic bit at the end. 

For the role of Lurch, please email Miss Dunkley with an expression of interest: adunkley@kws.nsw.edu.au 

 We would love to see students that may have missed out last time or any new students, such as those in Year 7 or new to KWS, who are keen to be involved in either our dance chorus or in the role of Lurch. 

We are hopeful that next year the production can return to its regular format with chorus singing and larger cast numbers but are grateful for the opportunity to still produce something this year (even if it is smaller in scale). 

Miss Dunkley 

Year 7 and 8 Open Mic Night 

Year 7 and 8 Open Mic night will be held in the Performance Theatre on the evening of Thursday 25th March, starting at 5:30pm. Year 7 and 8 students who sing or play an instrument are encouraged to sign up and give it a go! The sign up sheet can be found on the noticeboard outside Mrs Shields’ office.  Should you have any queries about the Year 7 and 8 Open Mic night, email Mr Key at skey@kws.nsw.edu.au 

TryBand 

TryBand affords students a unique opportunity to try a band instrument through a free five week tuition program.  TryBand is open to any year 7 student who isn’t currently learning a band or string instrument.  For more information please see the attached letter.  Applications close Friday 19 February 2021. 

Camerata Competition 2021

The annual Camerata Competition will be conducted on Friday 12 March.  We encourage secondary school students who are AMEB Grade 4 or equivalent to enter.  There are two divisions in the competition: 

Junior Division – Years 7-10 

Senior Division – Years 11 – 12 

 All competitors will be invited to perform at the Camerata concert, held in the KWS Chapel in Term 2 on Friday 21st May 6:30 pm.  Below is further information regarding the criteria for the competition.  Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact Ms Howarth at kahowarth@kws.nsw.edu.au 

Camerata Competition Criteria 2021 

Students should choose a piece of music which highlights their skill on their instrument. The piece does not have to be a movement from a concerto. The piece must be a minimum standard equivalent to Grade 4 AMEB. 

The performance can be either a solo or with piano accompaniment. 

The competition will be adjudicated by two adjudicators selected by the Co-ordinator of Instrumental Music and the Head of Performing Arts. 

The adjudicators’ decision is final.  No discussion will be entered into once the winners have been announced. 

Key Dates  

Please note the following key dates in your diaries for 2021. It is an expectation that students attend relevant performances. We are hopeful that the situation with COVID-19 will remain stable and that we will be able to proceed with these performances. We will inform you of any changes to these arrangements as they occur.  

• Camerata Competition Friday 12 March Rm 68
• Term 1 Music Camp Friday 19 March to Sunday 21 March
• Year 7 & 8 Open Mic Night Thursday 25 March
• ANZAC Day Sunday 25 April
• Cadet Farewell Parade Wednesday 19 May 2.30pm
• Camerata Concert Friday 21 May 6.30pm
• Performing Arts Festival Thursday 10 June 7pm
• Year 9 Elective Performing Arts Night Wednesday 16 June
• Year 10 Elective Performing Arts Night Thursday 17 June
• Musical Intensive Rehearsals Monday 12 July – Friday 16 July DPA
• Musical Performance Week (OCT) Monday 19 July – Saturday 24 July
• AMEB Practical Exams Monday 12 July – Friday 11 August (approx. dates)
• Trial HSC Drama marking day Saturday 24 July
• HSC Drama Showcase Friday 6 August
• HICES Music Festival TBC 16 – 19 August
• Orange Eisteddfod Monday 16 August – Friday 4 September (approx.dates)
• String Concert Thursday 26 Aug 5.30pm
• HSC Recital Evening Music 2 Monday 30 August
• HSC Recital Evening Music 1 Tuesday 31 August
• Year 12 Graduation Ceremony Thursday 16 September
• Winter C/C Assembly Tuesday 21 September
• Band Concert Thursday 28 October 5.30
• Carols Service TBA
• Speech Day Thursday 9 December 10am

Please note, these dates were correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.  

Rehearsals 

Rehearsals are back up and running for our Co-Curricular Ensembles – it’s such a joy to hear music in the corridors again!  Here’s Music Leader Will Rawson taking up the challenge of conducting orchestra, under the tutelage of Ms Doreen Cumming. 

Following is the schedule of Co-Curricular Ensemble rehearsals for 2021, along with information about staff contacts for each ensemble. Please encourage your child to practice their ensemble music each week and take it to their instrumental tutor for help when required. Should your child be unable to attend a rehearsal, please email the relevant member of staff prior to the rehearsal. 

COVID-19 Protocols

We continue to follow NSW Health regulations for Covid safe practices in rehearsals. This means that mandated spacing between students will be maintained and that where possible students will be grouped in Stage groups.  Students must not attend rehearsals if they are sick and will be sent to sick bay on arrival, in line with the school’s COVID-19 protocols.  

In addition: 

• Hand sanitiser should be applied by all participants before and after rehearsals
• Instruments cannot be shared
• Students will set up and pack up their own stand and chair
• No food is permitted in rehearsal spaces
• Pianos, drum sticks and mallets will be wiped down at the conclusion of each rehearsal where they have been utilised
• Koristers will rehearse outside (weather permitting) with appropriate social distancing

Musicianship Classes 2021