Performing Arts
Music Matters
State Band Championships – Sunday 23 August
We wish our Intermediate and Senior Concert Bands every success as they compete in the NSW State Band Championships on Sunday 23 August at The Joan, Penrith.
This is a fantastic opportunity for our musicians to perform alongside some of the finest community and school bands in the state, and we are very proud to see our hardworking ensembles representing the College at this prestigious event.
Details regarding performance times and arrangements have been emailed to relevant families by ensemble directors. Students are reminded to wear full winter uniform, including polished shoes.
Parents, family and friends are warmly encouraged to come along and support our musicians. Tickets for the Championships can be purchased here: NSW State Band Championships – tickets and event information.
A very special thank you to our outstanding ensemble directors, Ms Laura Power and Mr Geoff Power, for their dedication, expertise and the wonderful work they continue to do with our talented young musicians.
We wish both bands and their directors the very best of luck on Sunday.
HSC Music Showcase – Splinters, Splashes, Sounds, Snaps, Stage & Stories - Thursday August 27
Families, students and members of our College community are warmly invited to attend our annual HSC Major Works Showcase - Splinters, Splashes, Sounds, Snaps, Stage & Stories on Thursday 27 August from 6.00 pm in the Band Room (Sounds) and throughout the college.
Always a highlight of the Performing Arts calendar, this special evening celebrates the creativity, dedication and exceptional talents of our HSC students. Our HSC Music students will present a diverse program of performances and original compositions, showcasing the impressive work they have developed throughout their senior studies as they prepare for their final HSC practical examinations.
The showcase is also a valuable opportunity for our younger Elective Music students, providing inspiration for future repertoire and composition choices and an insight into the standard of musicianship, creativity, preparation and performance expected across the HSC Music courses.
We warmly encourage families, students and members of our College community to join us for what promises to be an inspiring evening celebrating the achievements and talents of our senior Performing Arts students.
Concert Club #3 reminder: September 3, 2026 – Sydney Opera House
Free tickets, generously provided by PAPA, are now available via Clipboard for interested Performing Arts students in Years 9–12 to attend our final Concert Club event of the year on Thursday 3 September.
The program features an exciting Concerto for Two Pianos, alongside Italian composer Ottorino Respighi’s magnificent orchestral work, The Pines of Rome. This promises to be a wonderful evening of live orchestral music and a fitting finale to our 2026 Concert Club series.
https://www.sydneysymphony.com/events/lucas-and-arthur-jussen-perform-poulenc
Students are to meet outside the cloakroom of the Concert Hall on Level 1 at 6:30 pm (for a 7:00 pm start) and must make their own way to and from the Opera House.
NOTE: the duration of this concert is only 60 minutes so will conclude at 8:00 pm. Students are asked to avoid bringing backpacks wherever possible. Smart casual attire or school uniform is acceptable.
Fathers’ Day Mass – Friday 4 September, OLD Church and school grounds
Junior & Senior Chorales; Junior, Intermediate and Senior Guitar Ensembles.
The Junior and Senior Chorales will lead the music at the Father's Day Mass at OLD on Friday 4 September. Students are asked to meet outside the music rooms at 7:00 am, so we can walk over to the church together and warm up before Mass commences at 7:30 am. Blazers are to be worn please.
Our Junior, Intermediate and Senior guitar ensembles will then provide entertainment as the fathers move to the school yard with their sons for breakfast. We thank these students and their ensemble directors for the important role they play in these special events.
Twilight Concert – Farewell to Seniors
Friday 4 September, 5:00 pm | College Gym
The concert will showcase performances from across our ensemble program and will also feature several of our talented Year 12 HSC Music students as soloists, providing a fitting opportunity to celebrate their musicianship and achievements.
This much-loved event is a special occasion on the Performing Arts calendar, as PAPA honours our graduating Year 12 students and recognises their contribution to Music and the Performing Arts throughout their time at the College.
We warmly invite families and members of our College community to join us as we farewell our senior musicians and celebrate their contribution to Performing Arts at SPX. Parking will be available on the school grounds.
The following ensembles will be performing at the concert:
- Rock Ensemble
- Intermediate Concert Band
- Senior Chorale
- Brass Quintet
- String Ensemble
- Intermediate Jazz Ensemble
- String Quartet
- Senior Percussion Ensemble
- Senior Concert Band
- Senior Jazz Ensemble
PAPA will also provide a free BBQ for performers, with some food for sale for families & friends prior to the commencement of the concert at 5:00 pm (card only - no cash).
If you are able to assist at the BBQ, please sign up here: https://shorturl.at/GxBfc
HSC Music Practical dates announced:
Music 1 – Friday 11 September
Music 2 and Extension – Thursday 17 September.
Performance exams will take place with accompanists in the Band Room. Note: there will be no access to the Band Room on these days; students will need to put their instruments in the Music Office on these days.
Term 3 Performing Arts dates
Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts
Drama Matters
Intermediate & Senior Drama Showcase
This event was a fantastic success with students from Years 7-11 performing. We had an excellent and responsive audience and the students really excelled. It was wonderful to see all students really enjoying their time on stage and supporting others as they performed. Well done to everyone.
Treasure Island Auditions
There was an amazing turn out for the Treasure Island auditions over the weekend. I was impressed with the calibre of speeches students had prepared and how supportive they were of each other.
I conducted 3 separate auditions, with another one to be held in Week 8 for the final female roles available.
Roles will be announced at the end of Week 8.
The first meet up is at the start of Week 10. More details to follow.
Intermediate & Senior Drama Ensembles
These will still run whilst Ms Lindley is away. Please head to the Sarto Centre at the normal time and Mr G will take those sessions.
Upcoming DRAMA events for Term 3:
(Week 9) Wednesday 16 September 10:00 am: Elective Drama students go to Belvoir Street Theatre to see The Book of Everything.
(Week 10) Monday 21 September 3:20 pm - 5:00 pm: Treasure Island cast meet up, workshop and costume measurements taken.
Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama
PAPA news
Farewell to Seniors Twilight Concert – Friday 4 September – We need your help!
Call for 13 wonderful volunteers to help set up, cook and pack up the BBQ to feed our performers at Friday 4 September's Farewell to Seniors Twilight Concert.
Sign up here and support our PA boys - https://shorturl.at/GxBfc
Comedy Night is back!
🎤 Get ready for a fantastic night of laughter and entertainment – all while supporting Performing Arts at SPX!
Now in its third year, the Performing Arts Parents’ Association (PAPA) Comedy Night returns with another brilliant line-up featuring some of the sharpest – and funniest – comedic talent on the scene.
On the mic:
🙌 Tommy Dean
🙌 Fiona Cox
🙌 Bruce Griffiths
🙌 And our very own Simon Kennedy!
Funds raised from the evening will help PAPA complete important sound and stage upgrades, directly enhancing Music and Drama opportunities and experiences for our students.
Tickets are $50, including one complimentary drink. Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, along with snacks, will also be available for purchase throughout the evening. Donations are also warmly welcomed.
Gather your friends and join us for a fabulous night of comedy, community and fun – all in support of Performing Arts at SPX!
Buy your ticket today – https://events.humanitix.com/spx-papa-comedy-night-2026
PLEASE NOTE – This is an 18+ event, and current SPX students are not eligible to attend.
Mrs Sylvia Ulevik - PAPA President - papaparents@pandf.spx.nsw.edu.au