Performing Arts

Music Matters

Founder’s Day Mass and Celebrations: Our ‘Superband’ (a combination of students from the College Orchestra, Senior Concert Band and Intermediate Jazz Bands) as well as the Senior and Junior Chorales and the Drumline created a triumphant celebration at the Founder’s Day Mass at Oxford Falls. The student body were delighted to witness the hard work of our Drumline in full flight, as they led the processional ‘Awesome God’, joined by the Superband and Chorales.

I would like to extend my gratitude to our dedicated and talented music staff, Mrs Stella Talati, Mr Ian Talati, Mr Andrew Saar, Mr Brendan Jones, Mr Stephen Cummins, Mrs Stephanie Gan and Mr David Sismey for their support.

House competition:

Special thanks to our Year 12 Performing Arts leaders, Max Lenton and Michael Krizan, for their leadership in establishing a Year 12 Entertainment House competition, which was enjoyed by all. It was great to see so many Year 12 students come out of their comfort zone to entertain the College community, creating a festive atmosphere and generating House spirit. This is sure to be a regular event at future Founder’s Day celebrations and an important fixture on the House competition calendar.

Our Staff Band also made an appearance at the Founder’s Day celebrations, with our very own Mr Andrew Saar taking the microphone, supported by Mr Brendan Jones and Mr Stephen Cummins with Mr Neil Gibson, Mr Michael Simpson and Mr Anthony Tassone. Certainly a highlight of the day!

Forestville RSL Concert: Congratulations to our Senior Jazz Band directed by Mr Geoff Power for their fabulous performance at Forestville RSL last night. These young men certainly do our college proud and had the whole audience tapping their feet!

Rotary Scholarship Competition: We are delighted to announce that our Performing Arts Captain, guitarist Max Lenton has been nominated to represent the College at the 2024 Rotary Club of Chatswood Roseville Music awards – the Gordon Waterhouse Memorial Music Scholarship. Max will perform a jazz program with an ensemble at a concert at the Zenith Centre on Thursday 23 May. The scholarship recognises excellence in music performance and contribution to music in the nominee’s school. It is worth $2,500 so we wish Max all the very best! The concert begins at 7:00 pm and everyone is invited. Tickets are free. We would love to see you there supporting Max.

Concert information:

We hope that you are able to join us as our talented musicians perform at the following college concerts:

Chamber Music Concert – Week 4, Friday 24 May, 7:00 pm – Sarto Centre.

Please note that there will be NO after school supervision or BBQ before this concert. Students are expected to be at the Sarto for 6:30 pm with their instruments in full school uniform. This concert will be under an hour’s duration. Students are asked to bring their instruments to the Sarto gym locker room straight after school, so they don’t need to access the band room before the concert.

This concert will feature:

All guitar ensembles
Classical guitar ensemble (but not Bass Guitar Ensemble). Students are to bring their own guitars
College Orchestra
String Ensemble
Junior and Senior Chorales
Year 12 soloists
Senior Brass Ensemble

Big Bands Bonanza Concert – Week 5, Friday 31 May, 5:00 pm – college gym. Students will receive a sausage sizzle and drink supplied by our wonderful PAPA committee before this concert. Families are also able to purchase food before the commencement of the concert.

This concert will feature:

All Jazz Bands
All Concert Bands
All percussion ensembles but NOT drumline
Rock Band Ensemble
Bass Guitar Ensemble

Upcoming Performing Arts Dates:

Junior AND Senior Concert Bands Workshop on Sunday 19 May, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.
Rotary Scholarship Award Competition Concert: Zenith Centre, Thursday 23 May, 7:00 pm (tickets free)
Chamber Music Concert – Week 4, Friday 24 May, 7:00 pm – Sarto Centre
Intermediate & Senior Drama Ensemble Cocurricular Showcase Thursday 30 May 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. Please note the Junior Drama Ensemble will not be performing at this event, but are welcome to come along and watch.
Big Bands Bonanza Concert – Week 5, Friday 31 May, 5:00 pm – School Gym
Sydney Eisteddfod Competition at The Concourse:
- Senior Jazz Ensemble – Thursday 6 June 2:30 pm
- Intermediate Jazz Ensemble – Thursday 6 June 12:30 pm
- Junior Jazz Ensemble – Tuesday 4 June 2:00 pm
- Senior Concert Band – Thursday 6 June 9:00 am
- Intermediate Concert Band – Wednesday 5 June 11:00 am
- Junior Concert Band – Tuesday 4 June 11:00 am
- Junior Chorale – Wednesday 12 June 9:30 am
Elective Music students Years 9 – 12 – Sydney Symphony Orchestra excursion, ‘Music of John Williams’ - Opera House Thursday 13 June. Information to come home soon.

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

Drama Matters

The Laramie Project

On 14 May the HSC Drama elective students went to the Sydney City Recital Hall to watch a read through of one of their set texts – The Laramie Project. This was led by an all-star cast featuring Nicholas Brown, Casey Donovan, Benjamin Law, Zindzi Okenyo, Tony Sheldon and Lyndon Watts. To mark the anniversary, Matthew’s father Dennis Shepard joined the cast, delivering the powerful speech he made in the Wyoming courtroom. It is now 25 years since The Laramie Project was crafted from interviews with the townspeople of Laramie, Wyoming and would help propel social change, inspiring the Hate Crimes Prevention Act 2009.

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:

24 May - Year 12 Major Project Day #2
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