Performing Arts

Music Matters

Wow! What a fabulous week we had last week, showcasing both our talented Drama and Music students in two special events.

The highlights included:

* Special performances by the Intermediate and Senior Co-Curricular Drama Ensembles to a full house at the Sarto;

* The ‘Big Bands Bonanza’ event, where over 150 musicians performed a variety of musical genres, entertaining a large crowd.

The events were made possible by the hard work of many individuals, including our Drama Coordinator, Ms Penny Lindley; Music Ensembles Coordinator, Mr Andrew Saar; the Ensemble Directors Mrs Talati, Mr Talati, Miss Power, Mr Power, Mr Jones and Mr Cummins ; Mr Brendan Jones and the Live Production crew for providing the lighting; our Maintenance crew for their assistance in set up and pack down, and the PAPA (Parents' Association for Performing Arts) committee, who so generously give of their time to provide food for the performers on both evenings.

Upcoming Performing Arts Dates:

Sydney Eisteddfod Competition at The Concourse:

Fabulous news from our first day at the Eisteddfod on Tuesday.

Our Junior Jazz Band, conducted by Laura Power WON the Secondary School Novice Stage Band section! This means they receive a percussion voucher to the tune (!) of $450 and a cash prize. Our Junior School Concert Band was also fabulous against another 16 schools, but unfortunately did not place this time.

Our Intermediate Concert Band also performed brilliantly on Wednesday to gain third place in a tough competition. 

Congratulations to all our performers! These trophies will be awarded at next week’s Cocurricular Assembly. 

Our remaining Sydney Eisteddfod entries are as follows:

• Senior Concert Band – Thursday 6 June, 9:00 am
• Intermediate Jazz Ensemble – Thursday 6 June, 12:30 pm
• Senior Jazz Ensemble – Thursday 6 June, 2:30 pm
• Junior Chorale – Wednesday 12 June, 9:30 am (clash with JS Athletics Carnival is noted - parents will receive an email with details soon)

Parents, family and friends are welcome to attend. Tickets can be pre-brought using this link: https://sydneyeisteddfod.com.au/whats-on/ or are available at the door.

• Elective Music students Years 9 – 12 – Sydney Symphony Orchestra excursion, ‘Music of John Williams’ - Opera House Thursday 13 June. 

Emails have been sent home regarding this exciting excursion. Please remember to use Clipboard to buy your son’s ticket. Go to: Activity Selection – Performing Arts 2024 – Sydney Symphony Orchestra concert. 

• Intermediate Concert Band Workshop - Sunday 23 June – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Lunch will be provided by our wonderful PAPA parents. 

Past student news: Congratulations to Max Holmes (2023 graduate and HSC Music 1 student) for being accepted to study the Bachelor of Music (Creative Technology) with The Australian Institute of Music (AIM). Max went through a gruelling multi-step interview process, creative submission and in-person interview. He was accepted and he starts university at the Rocks campus next week. We are very excited to hear yet another student has chosen to follow his passion for the Performing Arts at a tertiary level, and wish Max all the very best. 

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

Drama Matters

Intermediate & Senior Drama Showcase 

Congratulations to the students who performed last Thursday in the Sarto Centre in front of a packed audience of parents, teachers, and friends. Over 35 students participated in acting, stage management, and crew roles. It was wonderful to see each student embody their character and navigate the stage with confidence. Despite some challenges - such as the difficult and demanding language - every student viewed these obstacles positively, diligently rehearsing and working on their lines at home. And it certainly paid off!  Thanks also to Spencer Anderson & Tom McElvogue for introducing the performances it was a great effort all round. Students from Years 7-12 performed scenes from the following plays: The Proper Mechanicals, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead and The Accidental Death of an Anarchist. 

No Intermediate Drama Ensemble Week 6 (we will resume Week 7)

Upcoming Drama Events for Term 2:

• 25 June: Drama Elective Groups Years 11 & 12 will go to Sydney Theatre Company to watch Jane Harrison’s seminal play, Stolen about the Stolen Generations. (This event has been kindly paid for by PAPA). This play is on the HSC NESA list of plays for our students to study and we are thrilled for students to be able to see a professional production of this play.

Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama