Performing Arts

Music Matters

Christmas Twilight Concert:

Our annual Christmas Twilight Concert was a jubilant affair, a celebration of musical talent in our festively decorated outdoor amphitheatre. Despite battling some strong wind gusts and patches of rain, the Christmas spirit shone through as strongly as the beautiful rainbow that appeared as the Intermediate Concert Band began to play Jingle Bells. Nothing could dampen our spirits or the high standard of the boys’ performances. Yuletide spirit was in abundance as was the resilience of our performers and crew. The show must go on...and it did!

Congratulations to all our musicians and their Ensemble Directors: Mrs Stella Talati, Mr Geoff Power, Miss Laura Power, Mr Shane Cranney, Mr Ian Talati, Mr Brendan Jones and Mr Stephen Cummins for showcasing their students’ talent and hard work. It's clear that the hours of dedicated rehearsals paid off immensely, leaving a lasting impression on everyone in attendance.

Some highlights of the evening included stunning solos by our Year 12 students, Max Lenton (guitar), Darcy Forster (alto saxophone) and Sam Cummins (trumpet). We were also fortunate to have recent graduates and former Performing Arts Captains, Aaron Lau and Henrik Hogg joining us for the occasion. The addition of staff members, including Miss Montaos, Mr Power, Mr Ronchetti, Mr Stearn and Mr Westhoff joining the choir, certainly captured the joy of the Christmas Season. The image of everyone - students and staff alike, coming together to sing carols was truly heartening and highlighted the strong sense of community we have here at St Pius X. The collective voices singing songs of praise resonated far beyond our school walls, spreading some early Christmas cheer throughout Chatswood.

Special thanks to Mrs Stella Talati, in her role as Music Ensembles Coordinator, for helping to orchestrate the evening; to PAPA, so ably led by Mrs Gabe Donlevy and her crew for feeding the ravenous performers and their families throughout the concert. Thanks also to Stuart Munday and the maintenance crew for their assistance with hanging the decorations. It looked spectacular!

Junior Sports Awards:

Yesterday saw our Primary Concert Band perform at their biggest gig of the year, providing the entertainment at the Junior Sports Awards. Thank you to these boys and their conductor, Mr David Sismey for their wonderful contribution that helped make the event so special.

Music Ensemble Rehearsals:

Students are still expected to attend their rehearsals in Weeks 7 & 8 as normal. Every rehearsal is important! If your son is unsure of his rehearsal and performance commitments, please ask him to speak to his Ensemble Director for further clarification.

Hired instruments will be collected for servicing at the end of Week 8 or by your son’s tutor at his final lesson unless he is in the Senior Jazz Ensemble and requires it for the Annual Award ceremony on Tuesday 5 December.

Reeds on sale: Students wishing to purchase reeds for holiday practice may want to take advantage of a sale for 20% off reeds at Ad Lib Music, Chatswood. Reeds (adlibmusic.com.au)

Upcoming Performing Arts dates:

Week 8 - Monday 27 November - Year 6 Graduation and Liturgy Oxford Falls campus - (Junior Chorale)
Week 8 - Road to Bethlehem Liturgy rehearsal 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm school grounds (Senior and Junior Chorales)
Week 9 – Monday 4 December - End of Year Thanksgiving Liturgy - Road to Bethlehem (Senior and Junior Chorales)
Week 9 - Tuesday 5 December - Annual Awards Ceremony (Senior Jazz Ensemble) Oxford Falls campus

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Performing Arts Coordinator

From the PAPA Committee

What a great night we had on Friday listening to the very fabulous talents and music from our St Pius X community of performers. Despite a brief shower and a beautiful rainbow, musicians played on to entertain us. Many thanks to all who attended. I would like to especially thank the volunteers who ensured the performers were fed and the bbq kept hot to allow families to enjoy a sausage sandwich whilst they listened to some great music.

Thanks especially go to Sylvia Ulevik, Jia Yu, Louise Johnston, Janis Lo and Antonia Autore and James Donlevy as well as the great members of PAPA Committee who helped, both before and on the night: Barnaby Rands, Jana Gibson, Danielle Butler, Natalie Lenton and Simon Kennedy!

Mrs Gabe Donlevy - PAPA President

Drama

Drama Elective Showcase

Congratulations to our talented Drama students who delivered outstanding performances at last week's event. Their dedication and professionalism shone through, and we were delighted to see a fantastic turnout of friends and family. The evening showcased a variety of short scenes and monologues. It was particularly valuable for our younger students to witness the skill and expertise of their senior peers, who presented excerpts from their Year 11 exam speeches. Additionally, our Year 10 students impressed with an original scene they wrote, employing Brechtian characterisation and techniques. Other highlights included a captivating master/servant status scene, a humorous portrayal of characters trapped in an elevator by our Year 7 students, and our traditional Shakespeare scene, performed this year by our talented Year 9 students. The chosen play, "The Tempest," offered a delightful blend of entertainment and wit, leaving the audience thoroughly entertained.

Thank you to Ms Ramsey for the photography.

Ms Penny Lindley - Drama Coordinator