Performing Arts

Music Matters

Welcome to a new and exciting year in the Performing Arts at SPX.

Performing Arts Parents’ Information Evening

Monday, Week 3, 2 February. Band Room, 6:00 pm, followed by our PAPA (Performing Arts Parents’ Association) AGM. 

We encourage all interested families to attend.

This evening is vital in giving detailed information relating to all things Performing Arts – and gives you an opportunity to ask questions, meet some of our PA staff and other PA families. We do hope you can join us at this important evening, which is open to all Performing Arts families (not just new ones!). Refreshments provided.

Commencement Mass musicians

Emails have been sent home to relevant musicians and singers involved in providing music for our Commencement Mass next Wednesday 11 February. A rehearsal will take place at Oxford Falls on Tuesday 10 February, with buses leaving Chatswood at Recess and returning to school in Period 6.

Year 7 students will go to Oxford Falls with their year group as planned (taking instruments) and will join our rehearsal at approximately 11:00 am. 

New staff, new directions

I am excited to announce several new peripatetic staff joining our Performing Arts Department this year. Each of these tutors is highly regarded in local, national and international music circles and represent high quality teaching, performance experience and passion in their chosen music field. 

Piano

We are thrilled to have Sydney Conservatorium of Music alumni, Mr Benjamin He, a highly qualified Classical pianist, teacher and accompanist joining our Performing Arts team. Benjamin will be teaching students from Years 5 – 12 and will also be available to accompany our Elective Music students for performance assessments. Mr He will be teaching both contemporary and Classical style piano repertoire. 

Percussion 

Dr JB Smith joins our Percussion faculty, bringing extensive experience from the USA in percussion and drum education, including university lecturing, drumlines, and specialist ensemble work. Locally, he has taught at Cranbrook, Sydney Conservatorium High School and Newtown School of the Performing Arts. Dr Smith will direct the Junior and Senior Percussion Ensembles, as well as our Drumline, while Mr Pawel Lewandowski will continue to lead our Intermediate Percussion Ensemble.

We are delighted to welcome Dr Smith to our Percussion team and look forward to the expertise and energy he brings to the program.

Strings: (Violin and Viola)

We are delighted to have Ms Nicole Kim leading our Strings Department. A graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and recipient of the prestigious Patricia H Reid Orchestral Fellowship with Opera Australia, Ms Kim is an accomplished performer and dedicated educator. She brings valuable experience to the role, having previously worked at St Pius X College accompanying our Music Extension students. We look forward to the skill, insight and inspiration Ms Kim will bring to our Strings Program.

String Ensemble and Quartet

With a view to strengthening our Strings department, we have decided to continue to build our String Ensemble and additionally create a new String Quartet/Quintet which will be by audition only. Ms Kim will be taking both these ensembles. Our College Orchestra will be replaced in 2026 by a ‘Celebration Orchestra’ where students from our String Ensemble and Senior Concert Band will come together for special events. 

Trumpet

We are delighted to welcome Mr Matthew Hyam as our new trumpet tutor, replacing Mr Ben Blunt. Mr Hyam is a highly respected performer and a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He currently performs with both the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Opera Australia Orchestra and brings a wealth of professional experience to our program.

A passionate and knowledgeable educator, Mr Hyam is dedicated to inspiring students and nurturing their musical growth. We are confident he will be a valuable and exciting addition to our Music Department.

To be advised – cello and classical guitar teaching positions.

Clipboard for the Performing Arts

This is where you will:

• Apply for private tuition lessons

• Enrol for ensembles

• Pay your Performing Arts Levy (for participation in ensembles)

• Organise and pay for instrument hire. Note: students will be unable to hire an instrument until this has been paid.

Private Tuition information 

Start dates will be determined by each tutor, but we aim to have most private tuition lessons commence in Week 2 or 3 this term. Tutors will contact parents directly to inform them of lesson times, which will be altered each week. Junior School students will be accompanied to/from the Music rooms by their tutor.

Private Tuition applications

All NEW applications for private instrumental and singing lessons need to be made through Clipboard. New applications are welcome throughout the year but are dependent on teachers’ availability. Tutors will contact parents directly with lesson information this week. 

For enquiries relating to Private Tuition, please contact Mr Stephen Cummins, 

scummins@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or Ms Merryn Dodd in the Music office.

Music Ensembles

Enrolments for all Music and Drama Ensembles are open via Clipboard. Unlike private tuition, these need to be re-enrolled each year. Please pay the Performing Arts Levy of $400 to enable your son’s participation. Note this levy covers all ensemble participation, so your son may be involved in as many ensembles as he wants under this levy. In some cases, students may need to be moved by an ensemble director.

Students are able to trial one rehearsal before committing if unsure. ALL ENSEMBLE REHEARSALS BEGIN IN WEEK 2. 

For any enquiries, please contact Mr Andrew Saar, Music Ensembles Coordinator at asaar@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

List of Ensemble Directors

• Mr Shane Cranney - Junior Guitar, Intermediate Guitar, Senior Guitar​

• Mr Stephen Cummins - Bass Guitar Ensemble, Junior Digital, Intermediate Digital, Senior Digital

• Mr Brendan Jones - Rock Ensemble, Live Production​

• Ms Nicole Kim - String Ensemble, String Quartet​

• Mr Pawel Lewandowski - Intermediate Percussion​

• Ms Penny Lindley - Intermediate Drama, Senior Drama​

• Mr Geoff Power - Senior Jazz, Senior Concert Band​

• Ms Laura Power - Junior Jazz, Intermediate Jazz, Intermediate Concert Band​

• Mr Andrew Saar - Senior Chorale​

• Mr David Sismey - Junior Concert Band​

• Dr JB Smith - Drumline, Junior Percussion, Senior Percussion​

• Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Junior Chorale​

• Ms Elodie Westhoff - Junior Drama

Please see our 2026 Ensembles schedule below. Ensembles will commence in Week 2. Students should go to the room listed for their rehearsal. 

Note: The Sarto Centre is at the corner of Anderson and Daisy Streets, just up from the Waterford Learning Centre. 

Performing Arts Cultural Tour

Our inaugural tour is shaping up well and a detailed email has been sent to relevant families with updated information. Instalment 3 is now open on Clipboard and due by 20 February please.

Concert Club

The Concert Club is a new initiative designed to inspire students by connecting their classroom learning with the excitement and authenticity of live performance. Through this program, students will have the opportunity to attend a curated selection of professional concerts, shows, and performances throughout the year, giving them first hand experience of the performing arts in action.

Tickets will be offered first to our Elective Music and Drama students, recognising their commitment to the arts, before being opened to the wider Performing Arts community. 

Students are to make their own way to and from the event, and a staff member will be present at each event to supervise and support students, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.

At this stage, Sydney Symphony tickets have been purchased for:

• Friday May 1, Symphonic Cinema The Planets, Opera House, 7pm (20 tix) https://www.sydneysymphony.com/events/symphonic-cinema-the-planets

• Thursday, July 30, Sheku Kanneh-Mason,– Opera House, 7pm, (15 tix): https://www.sydneysymphony.com/events/simone-young-sheku-kanneh-mason

• Thursday, September 3, Concerto for 2 Pianos, Opera House, 7pm. (15 tix) https://www.sydneysymphony.com/events/lucas-and-arthur-jussen-perform-poulenc

   

Tickets will be available for purchase through Clipboard, with detailed information about each performance emailed to relevant families closer to the event date.

HSC results

We are incredibly proud of our 2025 Music and Drama HSC results. 

• Music 1 – saw all students achieve in Band 5 or 6 with one student nominated for the Encore HSC showcase. (Teacher: Mr A Saar)

• Music 2 and Music Extension - saw all students achieve in Band 5 or 6 (Teacher: Mrs A Westhoff)

• Drama - all students achieved Band 6 results and were nominated for OnStage, the HSC Drama showcase. (teacher: Ms P Lindley)

Important PA dates Term 1

• Week 2, Thursday 5/2 - 2025 High Achievers Assembly: The Concourse – Senior Jazz

• Week 3, Monday 9/2 - Performing Arts Parents’ Information Evening & PAPA AGM: 6:00 pm Band Room

• Week 3, Tuesday 10/2 – Commencement Mass rehearsal, Oxford Falls - ‘Celebration Orchestra’

• Week 3, Wednesday 11/2 – Commencement Mass, Oxford Falls – ‘Celebration Orchestra’

• Week 4, Saturday 21/2 – Chatswood Chinese New Year Parade – Drumline, time tbc.

• Week 7 – Saturday, 14/3 – Open Day – most ensembles

• Week 10 – Wednesday 1/4 – Year 12 Major Works Day #1

We look forward to supporting your son’s involvement and enthusiasm for the Performing Arts in 2026 and hope to meet you at our Information evening on Monday 2 February.

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

Drama Matters

Outstanding HSC results

It is with immense pride that I share the outstanding achievements of the Class of 2025 Drama students. Not only did students receive the honour of OnSTAGE nominations, but 100% of the cohort achieved Band 6 results. Congratulations to these students for their dedication, creativity, and hard work.

This is a significant achievement, as the HSC Drama examination assesses all three components of the course: the Individual Major Work, the Group Performance (Devising), and the Written Examination.

OnSTAGE Excursion

On Wednesday 11 February, our Year 11 Drama class will attend the annual OnSTAGE performances and exhibition at the Seymour Centre. The performance begins at 7:00 pm, and students are asked to meet Ms Lindley at 6:45 pm at the venue.

This excursion provides an invaluable opportunity for students to view exemplary Group and Individual Performances, as well as to explore a wide range of showcased HSC submitted projects across performance, design, and written forms.

The Upcoming Year

This year promises to be another exciting one for cocurricular opportunities in the Performing Arts. Towards the end of Term 3, auditions will be held for our next school play, Treasure Island. This production will be open to students in Years 7–11 and will be performed at the start of Term 2, 2027. The show will involve actors, musicians, and students interested in backstage and technical roles. Further details will be shared closer to the audition period.

Please note that the annual Cocurricular Showcase has been scheduled earlier this year and will take place on 20 August (Term 3). This change is due to Senior Drama Ensemble being replaced by rehearsals for the school production in Term 4.

Upcoming Dates:

• Junior, Intermediate and Senior Drama Ensembles begin in Week 2 so please remember to enrol onto Clipboard. 

• OnSTAGE Performances: Year 11 Elective Drama will head to the Seymour Centre in Week 2. Students will meet at the venue at 6:45 pm on Wednesday 11 February.

• The IIiad at Sydney Theatre Company: Elective Drama students will attend the matinee performance of this timeless classic. 

Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama