Performing Arts

Music Matters

‘Farewell to Seniors’ Twilight Concert – one more sleep!

Join us tomorrow, Friday 5 September at 5:00 pm in the gym for our annual Farewell to Seniors Twilight Concert. This special evening will showcase the talent of our Senior School through vibrant ensemble and solo performances, while celebrating the creativity, passion, and contributions of our Year 12 students. We warmly invite families, friends, and the school community to farewell our seniors in style and wish them every success for the journey ahead.

The following ensembles will be performing:

College Orchestra
Intermediate Concert Band
Senior Concert Band
Junior Jazz Band
Intermediate Jazz Band
Senior Jazz Band
Senior Percussion Ensemble
Rock Ensemble
Bass Guitar Ensemble
Year 12 HSC soloists

Students will meet in the gym after school to receive their wristband for a BBQ afternoon tea, kindly supplied by PAPA. This concert will feature some of our fabulous HSC Music students as soloists, whilst all Year 12 Performing Arts students will receive a gift from PAPA.

Father’s Day Mass and Breakfast

We are looking forward to some beautiful singing provided by our Junior and Senior Chorales at the Father’s Day Mass at Our Lady of Dolours tomorrow morning. Students will meet outside the Music rooms at 7:00 am to warm up before the commencement of Mass at 7:30 am. Our Guitar Ensembles will then provide wonderful entertainment for our fathers and sons at the subsequent Fathers’ Day breakfast.

Thank you to Mr Ryan Balboa and Ms Stephanie Gan for their lovely music at the Junior School Fathers’ Day liturgy this morning, which assisted in making this event even more special.

Chatswood Street Fair and Parade - Chatswood Street Fair Parade

Our Drumline, led by Mr Ian Talati, will proudly represent the College alongside Mercy College, Our Lady of Dolours Primary School, and Parish members in the Chatswood Street Fair Parade on Saturday, 6 September. Students are to wear full school uniform and meet Mr Talati at the Band Room at 12:30 pm. Please note that Kirk Street will be closed from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. A detailed letter with permission note from Mr Ronchetti has been sent home with all Drumline students.

The Senior Jazz Ensemble will entertain the audience at the Cocurricular Colour Awards ceremony at The Concourse next Monday. Thank you to Mr Geoff Power and his wonderful musicians for their generous contribution.

HSC Practical Exams next week

We’re sending our very best wishes to our Music 1 students (Tuesday 9 September) and our Music 2 and Extension students (Thursday 11 September) as they shine in their HSC Performance exams next week. Your dedication and creativity have brought you this far, and we’re so proud of all you’ve achieved. Congratulations also to our Music 2 students, who will be submitting their Core Compositions to NESA next week – a great achievement.

Rehearsals Week 8

Please note there will be NO morning rehearsals for the following ensembles next week due to HSC setup:

College Orchestra
Intermediate Concert Band
Junior Concert Band
Senior Concert Band

BAND ROOM ACCESS: Please note the Band Room and Chamber Music Rooms will be unable to be accessed next Tuesday morning from 7:30 am – 11:00 am and Thursday morning from 7:30 am – 11:00 am due to HSC exams and students will need to put their instruments in the Music Office.

From PAPA - our Performing Arts Parents Association

Farewell to Seniors Twilight Concert – Friday 5 September - We need your help!

A final call for 9 volunteers to help set up, cook and pack up the BBQ at this Friday's Farewell to Senior's Twilight Concert.

🎤PAPA Comedy Night annual fundraiser – Saturday 20 September – Peter Berner live 🎤

The SPX community is invited to see some of the sharpest (and funniest) comedic minds take the stage, including Australian comedy royalty and broadcasting legend, Peter Berner.

🎤 About Peter Berner: You've seen Peter on The B Team with Peter Berner, Einstein Factor, Backberner, The Loaded Brush, Good News Week, Rove, Sunrise and The Footy Show.

🎤 Support new school equipment: PAPA is raising funds to help upgrade sound and lighting equipment for the school, so get on board to support this worthy cause.

🎤 $30 per ticket: beverages (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and snacks available to purchase on the night. Donations also welcome.

🎤 Book your tickets now: https://events.humanitix.com/spx-papa-comedy-night-2025

Mrs Sylvia Ulevik - PAPA President

(papaparents@pandf.spx.nsw.edu.au)

Important Performing Arts dates this term:

Father's Day Mass and Breakfast - Friday 5 September, OLD Church, Junior and Senior Chorales, 7:30 am
‘Farewell to Seniors’ Twilight Concert – Friday 5 September, College gym, 5:00 pm
Drumline at the Chatswood Street Fair Parade –Saturday 6 September, 12:30 pm Band Room.
Cocurricular Colour Awards Ceremony – Monday 8 September – Senior Jazz Band, The Concourse
Forestville RSL Concert - Wednesday 17 September - Intermediate Jazz Band
Manly Jazz Festival – Senior Jazz Band - Saturday 20 September, 10:00 am – 10:45 am (1st band on the ‘Jazz Stars of The Future’ stage near Manly Wharf).
PAPA Comedy Fundraiser – Saturday evening 20 September, 7:00 pm
Year 12 Graduation Mass – Tuesday 23 September – Junior and Senior Chorales, OLD Church, 5:00 pm
Year 12 Graduation Ceremony – Wednesday 24 September, Oxford Falls – Intermediate Jazz Band.
Elective Music SSO excursion (Years 9 and 10), Sydney Opera House - Thursday 25 September.

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

Drama Matters

HSC Major Works: Splinters, Splashes, Sound, Snaps, Stage & Stories

Well done again to all students who presented. It was wonderful to be supported by parents, students and staff who came to watch what was a dress rehearsal for this group. Students were then able to make changes for their all-important exam on Friday morning.

HSC Drama Examination

Congratulations to the HSC Drama cohort of 2025 for their excellent performances and exemplary behaviour throughout their examination last Friday. Students have now completed the practical exams for this subject and will now revise for the written exam in October. They should be very proud of their achievements so far.

Upcoming Drama events:

Wednesday 10 September: The Talented Mr Ripley at Sydney Theatre Company for Year 9 & 10 Elective Drama.
Friday 19 September: CHANGE OF DATE: Oliver Twist cast & crew meet up in the Sarto from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm. Please bring snacks to share.

Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama