St Pius X College Newsletter

Performing Arts

Music Matters

Rock Ensemble 

The Rock Ensemble, under the guidance of Mr Brendan Jones, rehearses each Thursday morning from 7:30 am in Music Room 2. They play a variety of rock instrumentals, including ‘Pipeline’, ‘Sleepwalk’ and ‘Wedding Cake Island’ by Midnight Oil. They are currently seeking a bass player from Years 6 – 9 to join. If interested, please contact

bjones@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or get your son to see him in the Music office.

 

Ensemble rehearsals 

The schedule remains the same as last term. Should your son wish to join an ensemble, please register at:

https://spxchatswood.formstack.com/forms/music_ensemble_enrolment_form  or talk to either myself, Mrs Stella Talati or the ensemble director concerned. All students are welcome to trial the ensemble before committing.                                  

 

Singing teacher 

We are delighted that Mr Richard Butler has commenced singing lessons at the college. Richard has a wealth of performance and teaching experience, including Westminster Cathedral in London and is also teaching at St Mary’s Cathedral school and The King's School in Parramatta. If your son is interested in learning how to sing and use his voice properly, please fill in the application form here: 

Vibraphone

The school took delivery this week of a new Yamaha vibraphone which will be used in our percussion ensembles, private tuition lessons and by our senior music students for their HSC performances. We are very grateful to both PAPA and the school for their assistance in making this purchase possible. 

 

Upcoming events

Thank you to the parents who were able to attend our PAPA meeting on Monday night and are planning to support us in our upcoming concerts and performance events as outlined below. Please note some changes have been made to the start times/venues from previous years.

  • Sunday 7 May - Jazz Workshop Day: (parents have been emailed details)
    • 10:00 am - 11:45 am       Intermediate Jazz Rehearsal/Senior Jazz Tutorials
    • 11:45 am - 12:15 pm       Lunch
    • 12:15 pm - 2:00 pm         Senior Jazz Rehearsal/Intermediate Jazz Tutorials
    • 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm       Junior Jazz. Please aim to arrive by 2:15 pm so we can start promptly
  • Friday 12 May  – Whole school Mother’s Day Liturgy – (9:10 am, gymnasium) – Choirs, String Ensemble, Guitar Ensembles. 
  • Friday 26 May – An Evening of Chamber Music – 7:00 pm – Sarto Centre (choirs, strings, guitars, soloists). Performing students will need to arrive at the Sarto Centre for 6:30pm. No after school supervision will be provided.
  • Friday 2 June -  Band concert - 5:00 pm (including Rock Ensemble, Jazz and Concert Bands, Percussion ensembles) – school gymnasium.  Please note: After school supervision for students and a sausage sizzle will be provided for all students involved.  The sausage sizzle will conclude before the commencement of the concert - no continuing sales to families through the evening.
  • Sydney Eisteddfod Jazz events - Concourse Theatre 
    • Primary Concert Band – Wednesday 7 June 
    • Senior/Intermediate - Thursday 8 June 

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Performing Arts Coordinator

Drama Matters

Drama Ensembles Term 2

  • Junior Ensemble (Years 5 & 6) will start on Friday Week 1, 28 April
  • Intermediate Ensemble (Years 7 & 8) will start on Thursday Week 2, 4 May
  • Senior Ensemble (Years 9-12) will start on Monday Week 2, 1 May 

Ms Penny Lindley - Drama Coordinator

PAPA update 

Wow! Enormous congratulations go to Ms Penny Lindley, Ms Emma Fryar and Mr Steve Cummins and all staff involved in an outstanding production of 'The 39 Steps'. This production was the culmination of over 8 months' work in planning and rehearsals, and this team is to be commended.  It was truly a next level production and gave the boys a very real experience of professional theatre productions, at such a high quality. Support and learning from this experience will no doubt engage students in future drama and performing arts opportunities.  

A special thanks goes to the team of parents and helpers from the families in the community who contributed with supervision, hair, make-up, backstage support and generally being extra hands. Just really jumping in where needed.  Particular mention to Juliemma Moran and Jana Gibson who were there at all performances, as well as Rachel Elliot, Laura Dunlea, Aimo Krizan, Sue Jun, James McElvogue, Anne Byrnes, Kate Fairbanks and Melissa Collins. Overall, it was such a great opportunity for all involved and we cannot wait for the next performance or production opportunity!

Mrs Gabe Donlevy, on behalf of PAPA