Performing Arts

Music Matters

Generations in Jazz Festival

Last weekend, I had the privilege of attending the annual Generations in Jazz festival, in Mount Gambier, at the invitation of the South Australian Government, with a view to seeing if it would be suitable for our own Jazz Ensembles to partake.

Now in its 39th year, the scale of the event is truly remarkable. What began in 1987 with just 8 jazz ensembles has grown into a major festival, featuring over 280 jazz ensembles and 130 vocal ensembles performing and competing across the weekend. A highlight was the performance by renowned Belgian jazz trumpeter Burt Joris, who showcased his compositions with the Australian Jazz Youth Orchestra. The weekend culminated in an energetic performance by the legendary R&B and funk soul band ‘Tower of Power’ for a crowd of 5,500.

It was an inspiring and energising experience, bringing together students and music directors from around Australia and New Zealand, to celebrate their shared passion for jazz through workshops, competitions, and performances. I hope to provide our own jazz ensembles with the opportunity to participate in this outstanding event in the future.

Well done to our Junior Jazz Ensemble members, who demonstrated focus and commitment at their rehearsal last Sunday as they continue striving to perform at their very best in upcoming performances. Miss Power was very impressed with the diligence and enthusiasm these musicians showed throughout the day.

Mother’s Day Mass: Oxford Falls – Wednesday, 6 May

Thank you to our String Ensemble and Junior and Senior Chorales for their beautiful and reverent contribution to our Mother's Day Mass yesterday. Our newly formed String Quartet also delivered a stunning performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Air on the G String during the Offertory procession, bringing a moment of quiet reflection and grace to the liturgy. As this was their first public performance, the students should be especially proud of the excellent job they did.

The musicians’ contribution greatly enriched the celebration, helping to create a warm and uplifting atmosphere as we honoured the mothers and special women in our community.

Founder's Day Mass – Friday 8 May

Our Celebration Orchestra and Celebration Choir (Junior and Senior Chorales) will be providing the Music for this important celebration.

Students will leave school at 7:30 am to rehearse and soundcheck before the mass commences. If you wish to drop your son directly to Oxford Falls by 8:00 am, please email me: awesthoff@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

Students will then remain at Oxford Falls with their cohort to participate in the Founder's Day activities. All students will need to bring their own food and drinks for the day.

Twilight Concerts

Week 4 - Friday 15 May – Big Bands Bonanza Concert

College gym, 5:00 pm featuring all large ensembles including:

Junior, Intermediate and Senior Jazz and Concert bands,
Rock ensemble
All percussion ensembles (Junior, Intermediate and Senior)
Drumline – pre-show entertainment

Please note:

All students involved in this performance will be provided with a BBQ afternoon tea by our wonderful PAPA, with food for sale for visitors until the commencement of the concert.

The Performing Arts Tour students will be holding a bake stall after school.

Parking will be available on school grounds.

Week 5 - Friday 22 May – Pius ‘Unplugged’ – Chamber Music Concert

Sarto Centre (cnr Daisy and Anderson Streets), 7:00 pm, features:

String Ensemble and String Quartet
Junior and Senior Chorales
All Guitar Ensembles (Junior, Intermediate and Senior)
Brass Quintet
Bass Guitar Ensemble
Year 12 HSC Music soloists

Please note, as this concert commences at 7:00 pm, there is no after-school supervision or food provided for students on this day.

The gates to the school grounds for parking will be open until 7:00 pm. Gates open automatically upon approach when leaving.

Ensemble directors will provide further details closer to each concert date.

Rehearsal workshop dates for your diaries:

Intermediate Concert Band Workshop – Sunday 14 June – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Senior Concert Band Workshop – Sunday 21 June – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Eisteddfod events at The Concourse – parents welcome

Junior Concert Band – Wednesday 27 May – 9:30 am

Intermediate Concert Band – Wednesday 27 May – 3:30 pm

Senior Concert Band – Wednesday 27 May – 5:45 pm

Junior Jazz Band – Friday 29 May – 1:00 pm

Intermediate Jazz Band – Friday 29 May – 5:45 pm

Senior Jazz Band – Friday 29 May - 3:00 pm

Parents have been emailed details for the above by their Ensemble Director.

Training Band and Endangered Instruments program:

We are looking to establish a Training Band for students who are new to learning an instrument and therefore not yet ready to perform in one of our existing ensembles. This initiative will provide a supportive environment for students to build fundamental skills, confidence, and ensemble experience.

In addition, we are also aiming to strengthen our ensembles by addressing instrumentation gaps through our Endangered Instrument Program. This includes offering small-group tuition during Training Band rehearsals for students new to learning the following instruments from Term 2:

Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
French Horn
Trombone
Bass Guitar (allocation exhausted)

This is also an excellent opportunity for students to explore a second instrument.

Students learning to play one of the above endangered instruments in the Training Band will also receive free instrument hire for the remainder of 2026 on any of the above instruments. The Performing Arts Levy ($400) will need to be paid via Clipboard for anyone not already part of the PA ensemble program to assist with covering associated costs. The Training Band will be run by our experienced Woodwind and Brass tutors and band conductors, Ms Laura Power and Mr David Sismey and rehearse on Wednesdays at lunchtime in the Band room.

Training Band students will be determined by private tutors and ensemble directors. However, if your son is new to learning a band instrument outside of school, he is welcome to take part.

How to join?

Should your son want to take advantage of this incredible opportunity, either through joining the Training Band and/or learning an Endangered Instrument please email Mr Andrew Saar, Ensembles Coordinator: asaar@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

The Concert Club - Concert #2 – Thursday 30 July 7:00 pm

We are pleased to offer a second Sydney Symphony Orchestra (SSO) concert to our Concert Club line up.

Students will travel independently to and from the Opera House and will be supervised by staff members throughout the concert. Dress is smart casual. Meeting point is at the Cloakroom (to the left of the internal stairs on level 1) at 6:30 pm.

Tickets are available at the heavily subsidised price of just $20 – an incredible opportunity to experience outstanding music in one of the most famous concert venues in the world.

Concert #2 program: Notes from the SSO:

Sheku Kanneh-Mason catapulted to stardom after his performance at the royal wedding of Harry and Meghan. But it’s his superb musicianship that has led him to work with the world’s greatest orchestras and conductors, including our own Chief Conductor Simone Young.

Now it is Sydney’s turn to experience this young star, performing Elgar’s beloved Cello Concerto.

Celebrated globally as a leading interpreter of the music of Richard Strauss, Simone Young is in her element demonstrating her mastery of the vast An Alpine Symphony. Experience the power of this evocative ascent, from majestic daybreak to triumphant summit, complete with a thunderous storm.

This special event brings together two extraordinary artists for one of the highlights of our season. Tickets won’t last long.  

https://www.sydneysymphony.com/events/simone-young-sheku-kanneh-mason

Secure your ticket via Clipboard:

Activity Selection → Performing Arts 2026 → Concert Club #2

Performing Arts Dates Term 2:

As always, please check the Performing Arts section of Woodchatta each week and feel free to reach out to our helpful Performing Arts staff if you have further enquiries:

Cocurricular / Performing Arts Admin assistant: Ms Merryn Dodd,

mdodd@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Private Tuition Coordinator: Mr Stephen Cummins, scummins@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Ensembles Program Coordinator: Mr Andrew Saar, asaar@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Leader of Learning, Drama: Ms Penny Lindley, plindley@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Head of Performing Arts: Mrs Annabel Westhoff, awesthoff@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

Drama Matters

Year 8 Drama performance

Next Wednesday morning during Period 1 the whole of Year 8 will head to the Sarto Centre to watch a play called THE STONES performed by Shock Therapy Arts. Based on a true story, THE STONES is about risk taking behaviour and the pain of guilt when things go too far. Written by Tom Lycos and Stefo Nantsou (Zeal Theatre), this play has earned a worldwide reputation of being one of the most successful plays for young audiences. We are very grateful to PAPA who will cover the cost of this incursion.

Upcoming events

Wednesday 20 May at 9:00 am: Shock Therapy Arts will visit the school and perform the play 'The Stones' for the whole of Year 8.

Friday 22 May: Drama NSW Conference: Standing Strong. Ms Lindley will attend this event which includes workshops, performances and research lectures.

Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama

From PAPA

Calling for volunteers! Big Bands Bonanza Concert - next Friday 15 May

Next Friday 15 May is the school's Big Bands Bonanza Concert and the Performing Arts Parents' Association (PAPA) needs your help.

Did you know?

PAPA feeds all performers on the night. That's prepping 260 sausages and rolls for 130 students! There will also be a small amount to sell to audience members on the night. Students should BYO water bottles as no drinks will be provided.

We need you!

We are calling for 12+ volunteers to help (from 2.30pm) to set up and cook the BBQ, serve the food and sell the remainder before the concert. 1 hour slots available.

Who is performing?

All large ensembles including Junior, Intermediate and Senior Jazz and Concert bands, Rock ensemble, all percussion ensembles (Junior, Intermediate and Senior) and Drumline.

Look forward to seeing you next Friday!

Mrs Sylvia Ulevik - PAPA President - papaparents@pandf.spx.nsw.edu.au