Performing Arts
Music Matters
Performing Arts Levy 2025 – Clipboard enrolments now open
Parents and caregivers will receive an email soon outlining details on how to re-enrol for participation in the Performing Arts Cocurricular program in 2025. The levy remains at $350 for the year and covers as many ensembles as your son wishes to participate in. It is an expectation that all Elective Music students are involved in at least one ensemble. This also includes Live Production Crew (sound/lighting and staging), Chorales and Digital Music Ensembles (composition using music technology).
Private Tuition
Students currently enrolled in private instrumental or vocal lessons automatically remain enrolled in these lessons with their teacher, unless three weeks’ notice of cancellation is given. New enrolments will be available early next year.
Christmas Twilight Concert
Our 2024 Christmas Twilight Concert was a fabulous evening, blessed with perfect weather and showcasing the talents and hard work of our young musicians. The festive crowd was in high spirits, enjoying the performances and joining in for a lively sing-along of Christmas carols to conclude the night. A heartfelt thank you goes to Mr Andrew Saar, our Music Ensembles Coordinator, who organised a seamless concert, and to Mr Brendan Jones, Mr Stephen Cummins, Ms Merryn Dodd and the Maintenance crew for their excellent support in providing sound, lighting, and decorations that added to the festive atmosphere.
This concert would not have been possible without the dedication and expertise of our talented ensemble directors, whose leadership brought each performance to life. Special thanks go to these directors for their tireless efforts in guiding their musicians, shaping the musical selections, and ensuring that each piece was delivered with passion and precision. The beautiful music and joyous spirit of the evening are all thanks to their unwavering commitment.
We also extend our gratitude to the PAPA committee and volunteers who worked tirelessly to feed and support both the performers and the audience throughout the night, ensuring everyone had a memorable and enjoyable experience.
Year 6 Graduation Mass
A big thank you to Mr Andrew Saar, Mr Ryan Balboa, Ms Stephanie Gan, and the Junior School Chorale for their beautiful music at the Year 6 Graduation Liturgy. Your contributions helped to make the event even more special, creating an unforgettable atmosphere for all involved.
Instrument hire return: Please ensure your son returns his instrument to the music office after his last rehearsal or lesson this term. The school organises servicing for all instruments as per the rental policy agreement and will be available for collection from week 1 next term. Please note musicians in the Senior Concert Band and Senior Jazz will require their instruments for the Thanksgiving Mass and Academic Awards Ceremony on the last day of school.
Tuesday 3 December:
Rehearsal for Thanksgiving Mass and Academic Awards Ceremonies
- Participants: Junior and Senior Chorale and Senior Concert Band only (Snr Jazz NOT required for this rehearsal), some drum
- Departure: Bus leaves Anderson Street at 11:00 am for Oxford Falls. Students to meet in school foyer first
- Return: Bus departs Oxford Falls at 2:30 pm and returns to Anderson Street
- Instructions:
- Students should bring food, drinks, and hats for the day
- Instruments can be left at Oxford Falls overnight
Wednesday 4 December:
Rehearsal for Senior Concert Band, Senior Jazz, Senior and Junior Chorale
- Departure: Bus leaves Anderson Street at 7:30 am. Students to meet in school foyer first
- Participants: All Senior Concert Band, Senior Jazz, Senior and Junior Chorale students
- Return: Students can leave Oxford Falls as per the school’s instructions
Upcoming Performing Arts Dates:
Some highlights for next year’s planning:
Term 1, 2025:
- Week 3, Tuesday 11 February, 6:00 pm Performing Arts Parents Information evening: followed by the PAPA AGM at 7:00 pm
Term 2, 2025:
- Week 2, Oliver Twist, Zenith Theatre 7:00 pm, 30 April, 1 May, 2 May
- Week 4, Friday, 23 May, James Morrison workshops and performance
Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts
Drama Matters
Oliver Twist Rehearsals
Please ask your son to check the new rehearsal schedule here and ensure they can attend the final rehearsals of the term. Rehearsals for 29 November and 1 December have been slightly changed.
If you must miss a rehearsal for any reason, please email Ms Lindley as soon as possible. Dates are below.
Drama Showcase
Thank you to the parents and St Pius X community who came to watch the showcase event last Thursday. It was wonderful to see the students on stage performing and especially seeing how much each student had developed their skills over the year. Their hard work and dedication was evident in each performance.
HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS FOR OLIVER TWIST:
Thursday 23 January & Friday 24 January 2025 from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
I am delighted to inform the cast that we have secured acclaimed Sport for Jove actor Christopher Tomkinson to work with us for our rehearsals in January. Chris is a passionate actor, teacher, writer and director. He brings a wealth of professional experience and knowledge to his teaching. We will be facilitating the sessions together and working on character objectives, building the group dynamic and with a voice coach we will be helping students with their accents. Students should bring a packed lunch so we can eat together over the lunch break.
Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama
From the Performing Arts Parents Association
The PAPA Committee would like to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to all the volunteers who helped us cater for last week’s annual Christmas Twilight Concert as well as everyone who has helped us throughout 2024.
The Christmas Twilight Concert capped off what has been a very busy and successful year for PAPA - between pulling together an almost entirely new committee, having our inaugural Comedy Night, plus seeing a marked increase in our volunteer base to help feed our students!
We are looking forward to building on this year’s foundations in 2025 and hope to see some new faces join our committee as well as planning some new events - including a parents’ social event… WATCH THIS SPACE for details in early Term 1, 2025!
Please join us for the 2025 PAPA AGM on Tuesday 11 February at 7:00 pm (following the Performing Arts Parent Information Evening at 6:00 pm) - even if you are not able to join the committee, come along and hear about our exciting 2025 plans!
Wishing all our Performing Arts families a happy Christmas and sending best wishes for a healthy and joyful New Year!
Many thanks for your support of PAPA this year.
Mrs Sylvia Ulevik - PAPA President
Holiday Drama Workshop
Dream Week is an immersive holiday workshop being held in the January holidays where students will collaborate with the acclaimed theatre company, Come You Spirits, to bring Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream to life, held at The Concourse. Guided by professional actors, participants will build confidence, foster creativity and form lasting friendships.
The workshop is for students aged 11 - 16.
Please see the attached for further information.