Performing Arts

Music Matters

The life of our Performing Arts students is generally a busy one; however, this week takes the cake…

It started with a fabulous weekend of laughter and jazz.

Saturday night saw our inaugural PAPA Stand Up Comedy fundraising evening, and what an evening it was!

A very big thank you to our PAPA President, Mrs Sylvia Ulevik, our very own stand-up comic and Vice-President Mr Simon Kennedy who hosted the event with great hilarity. Thank you also to the PAPA committee for the amazing work they did behind the scenes to make sure it was a fun-filled event.

But this was only the beginning of a jam-packed week of events…

Here are the highlights:

Jazz Workshops last Sunday: Special thanks to our Jazz Band Ensemble Directors, Mr Geoff Power and Miss Laura Power for their incredible work with our budding Jazz musicians, so ably supported by other members of our music staff including Mr Stephen Cummins, Mr Shane Cranney and Mr Andrew Saar.

Mothers’ Day Mass: Our College Orchestra accompanied the Junior and Senior Chorales and were magnificent in creating a beautiful setting for the Mothers’ Day Mass at Oxford Falls. We greatly appreciate the work of Mrs Stella Talati, College Orchestra Ensemble Director, and the musicians involved who helped to make this such a glorious celebration of the wonderful mothers, aunts, grandmothers and all the other significant women we have in our community.

Friday’s Founders’ Day Mass will see some 72 musicians and singers provide the music for this Mass, forming our first SPX ‘Superband’. Our committed musicians have worked tirelessly and with great enthusiasm to make this a very special event on the St. Pius X College calendar. All students are to be ready with their instruments for a 7:30 am departure on Friday morning in mufti clothes in their house colours. They will return to school with their usual homeroom groups at the end of the day.

PAPA news: PAPA Standup Comedy Stars Fundraiser

This year, May the 4th was more than just Star Wars day - it was the date of the inaugural PAPA Stand Up Comedy Stars fundraiser… and what a night it was!

We were treated to side-splitting routines from some of Australia’s best stand- up comedians. Frida Deguise, Mick Meredith and Fat Pizza’s Tahir were in hysterically good form - as was Pius parent (and PAPA Vice President) Simon Kennedy, who, based on post-gig feedback, may just about have stolen the show! Special mention to the intrepid souls who braved the front row seats and periodically became part of the entertainment.

The Sarto Centre put on its best sophisticated comedy club vibe for the night and was the perfect venue. The sets were tight, the lighting and sound were top shelf, the bar service was fast - all making for a wonderful evening of entertainment, socialising, and lots of laughter.

Thank you to Mrs Annabel Westhoff, Mrs Merryn Dodd, Mr Stephen Cummins, the Maintenance team, the Marketing and Communications team and the Finance team for their support in preparing for the PAPA Stand Up Comedy Stars 2024 fundraiser - we couldn’t have done it without you! We are delighted that it was so hugely successful, and we hope to make it an annual fixture in the Pius social calendar.

PAPA Committee

Upcoming Dates:

Founders’ Day Mass, Week 2, Friday 10 May, ‘Super Band’, Drumline & Chorales, Oxford Falls. Bus 7:30 am. (Students wear mufti in house colours and return with their classes at the end of the day)
Forestville RSL Concert - Week 3, Wednesday 15 May, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm – Senior Jazz
Band Workshop - Sunday 19 May, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Chamber Music Concert – Week 4, Friday 24 May, 7:00 pm - Sarto
Bands Bonanza Concert – Week 5, Friday 31 May, 5:00 pm - Gym
Sydney Eisteddfod, The Concourse, Tuesday 4 June, 2:00 pm - Junior Jazz
Sydney Eisteddfod, The Concourse, Thursday 6 June (TBC)
Sydney Eisteddfod, The Concourse, Wednesday 12 June 9:30 am - Junior Chorale
Sydney Symphony Orchestra Excursion - 'The Music of John Williams' - The Opera House, Thursday 13 June, Years 9 - 12

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

Drama Matters

Can’t Pay? No Way!

On Wednesday, 8 May, the Elective Drama classes travelled to the Opera House to watch the highly anticipated play, 'Can't Pay, Won't Pay!' In an era when grocery prices are incredibly high, this political comedy hits the nail on the head (or the lack thereof)! Written by Dario Fo and Franca Rame, two accomplished comic writers, students witnessed the power of farce and a remarkable set that brought the story to life.

PAPA Commedia masks

Thank you again to PAPA for covering the costs of the 6 outstanding Commedia masks provided to us by Fools in Progress Theatre Company. These are a definite upgrade on the latex masks we currently use. PAPA also cover most of the theatre excursions our students participate in, and we are very grateful for that support. Last Saturday’s Comedy Fundraiser was a huge success and a big thanks to Mrs Annabel Westhoff for organising and for Mr Simon Kennedy’s energy and immense talent. All comics were excellent, but Simon kept us entertained throughout the evening. Can’t wait for the next one!

Absences

If your son is to miss his Drama ensemble for any reason, can you please ensure this is indicated through Clipboard. All rolls are now taken electronically.

Upcoming Drama Events:

14 May: HSC Drama will go to the Sydney City Recital Hall to watch a read through of one of their set texts – The Laramie Project. Students will make their own way to and from the venue and will meet at 7:15 pm.
30 May Intermediate & Senior Ensemble Cocurricular Showcase at the Sarto Centre 5.30pm. Students from both ensembles will perform scenes from The Proper Mechanicals, Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead and The Accidental Death of an Anarchist.
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