Performing Arts

DRAMA MATTERS

Year 7 Performances

Year 7 have been devising and rehearsing their short plays for performance this week and next. There is a real buzz around the Drama room with students coming to rehearse over lunchtime and picking out their costumes for the final performance. The premise of the performance is that 4 or 5 people get stuck in an elevator which breaks down. The dilemma is how each character responds truthfully to the situation. It is up to each group whether they wish to resolve this problem. All plays end in a frozen tableau (a frozen moment). Students have been incredibly creative with the context of their play. We have seen elevators in Hell, Hollywood, Skyscrapers, Westfield, and Comic Central to name just a few. Year 7 students have also had the opportunity to watch their peers perform and it is wonderful to see the talent and excitement these performances ignite. Some groups will get the opportunity to perform again in the Sarto Centre as part of the Year 7-11 performance night on Thursday 28 November. We hope you will be able to come along.

Ms Penny Lindley - Drama Teacher

MUSIC MATTERS  

Dr Jim Coyle Sparks Composition Inspiration

Composition Masterclass with Sydney Conservatorium of Music Professor

Last Friday November 8, our Senior Music Composition Workshop provided an “ah-hah” moment for many of our gifted musicians. With blinds and doors closed students sat mesmerised by the quick wit and musical tenacity of Australian Composer, Jim Coyle.  Taking students through the tricks and traps of HSC Music composition, this masterclass provided a rich lesson in the application of music concepts. Jim encouraged our boys to re-think silence and compose well away from their PLDs. “Let pen and paper be your iPad!” Our thanks to each student for their intense listening, questioning and note taking during this lecture. Jim Coyle will return to St Pius in early 2020.

Twilight at Christmas – Helping Out With Drought

Friday November 29, 5 pm at Chatswood – Bring Your Family

Our Performing Arts Ensembles are busy preparing for their end of year Twilight at Christmas Concert on Friday November 29 at 5pm.

Rather than raffles or ticket entry, guest are invited to make a donation that will go towards our Drought Appeal.  In giving a gold coin, or “$5-er for a farmer”, we hope we can bring comfort to those rendered distraught by months of drought.

The famous PAPA BBQ will be in full swing. Feeding 400+ people can only be made possible with parent help.  Please consider volunteering some time on the night to assist with the BBQ.  We have set up a volunteer roster via the Google Docs link below. Any and all assistance is greatly appreciated.

PAPA BBQ Volunteers - Please Sign Up For a Small Shift:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A8VYEXRQWpR7aL42VdKyx-u2aBMAeTfblyjM1zLYEb4/edit?usp=sharing

The Last Post

Lest We Forget

The tune only has five notes, yet by the second note we all recognise the significance of this call. While traditionally The Last Post was played to signify day’s end, over time it has become a dramatic and symbolic call of much more meaning. Rather than calling soldiers home to rest on a daily basis, it now calls them home to their final resting place.

This year, St Pius trumpeter Zachary Forster of Year 12 performed The Last Post and The Rouse for our College’s Remembrance Day Service.  Anthony Elliott of Year 9 did the same for the children next door of Our Lady of Dolour’s Primary School.  Both young men enabled these melodies to call out across the ears, hearts and minds of many.  Through the haunting melody of The Last Post and the silence that followed, our communities connected with the living and the passed, telling them we still care, we haven’t forgotten you.  The Rouse, rang out symbolising the bigger vision of the soul’s rebirth to eternity. We thank Zachary and Anthony for sharing these powerful and ubiquitous songs of remembrance.

Senior Concert Band

Honouring Those Who Gave Their All

Our 2019 Remembrance Day Service was enhanced by the poignant and reflective music of our Senior Concert Band. Led skilfully by Stella Talati, our musicians performed reflective works and uplifting hymns to mark this heartfelt occasion. Respectful and beautiful, their music enabled many to reflect on the realities of war and give thanks to those who now rest.

A Trumpeter of Note!

Zachary Forster Achieves Grade 6 AMEB Success

In addition to his stirring performance at the 2019 Remembrance Day Service, Zachary Forster shares the recent news that he has achieved a Credit Award for his 6th Grade AMEB Trumpet Examination.  This is a fantastic result for Zachary. Proof that you can be a mad keen Jazz man, wicked scale blaster and classical music whiz. Our sincere thanks to Mr Geoff Power for guiding Zachary to a high level of achievement in his brass lessons.

PAPA Committee Seeks 2020 MasterChef Planner

Do you Love Cooking Up a Storm? 

While all our key positions for the 2020 Arts Parents’ Association have been successfully filled, we cordially invite parents to apply for the position of catering coordinator for our 3 major events each year.  If you have a knack for planning menus, ordering sausages and want to work with an incredibly supportive team, please let us know!  Feeding hungry boys and keeping them busy with the Performing Arts contributes to many students feeling engaged in school life and happy throughout their adolescent years.

Performing Arts Calendar

While NSW is on high alert for bushfires and families are under pressure at this time of year, remember that we are all made better and stronger by kindness. Christmas this year might be about finding those who need it most. Delivering a tray of sandwiches and cold drinks to volunteer fire-fighters. Stopping to mow the dry grass across your road, or simply playing some happy music at home to lighten the Term 4 fatigue.  As a wise nurse once said, “There is a lot of love to go around. Don’t keep it all to yourself.” 

Kind regards,

Ms Pip Waters - Performing Arts Coordinator