Performing Arts
Music Matters
Exciting news for our Brass players!
New Ensemble - Brass Quintet
With the growth of the Performing Arts Program over the last few years, we are pleased to introduce a new ensemble for 2026, the newly formed Brass Quintet. As the name of the ensemble suggests, this small group will feature 5 instrumentalists on a variety of brass instruments (Trumpet, French Horn, Trombone and Euphonium) with a focus on developing chamber ensemble skills and providing an extension outlet for our talented brass students. This ensemble will be led by one of our new tutors, Mr Matthew Hyam. Mr Hyam is a highly respected trumpeter and a graduate of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He currently performs with both the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the Opera Australia Orchestra and brings a wealth of professional experience and enthusiasm to this ensemble.
This ensemble will be selected from students from Years 5-10 who currently play a Brass instrument. The group will rehearse weekly on a Wednesday at Recess in MR1. To be considered for a place in this group, students will need to sit an audition, which will be conducted by Mr Hyam and Mr Saar on either Recess or Lunchtime on Wednesday in Week 5. If there is more demand for audition slots, these will continue into Week 6, with rehearsals for the group beginning in Week 7. The audition requirements are as followed:
1 unaccompanied piece (1-2 minutes long)
A short sightreading excerpt (8-16 bars long)
To sign up for an audition, please email Mr Saar with your son's name, instrument and level of experience, and he will allocate you a date and time. Please ensure you are prompt to this audition as there will quite a few students to get through.
All students who audition will be provided with feedback and will be notified of the outcome of their audition once the process is finished.
If you have any questions about this new ensemble, please reach out to Mr Saar in the Music office or at asaar@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au
Drumline at Chinese New Year Parade
Our Drumline will perform at the Chinese New Year Street Celebrations in Chatswood this Saturday evening. Students are to wear their blazers and meet in the Band Room at 5:00 pm for a brief warm-up before proceeding to the marshalling point.
We thank these students, with the support of their families, for their commitment and enthusiasm and know they will represent both the College and Parish with pride at this special community event.
Ensemble rehearsals and Private Tuition matters
Please note our Percussion lessons are now full, and any student signing up will be on a waitlist.
Ensembles and Private Music Tuition information on Clipboard
Clipboard addresses the requirements of Private Tuition lessons, Instrument Hire and Ensemble participation including:
Lesson costings
What to do if your child is absent
Instrument Loan Hire information terms and costings
Cancellation policy
Performing Arts Levy
Private Tuition
New enrolments for private music tuition are being allocated and your assigned tutor should contact you this week. Exception: piano – we are waiting for our tutors’ availability/ability to take on the number of students who have enrolled. Please wait until next week when we should have this finalised.
However, please note that as we have had an unprecedented demand for piano lessons, we will soon be interviewing for another piano teacher. We are also about to start singing lessons with a new teacher in coming weeks.
Here are some reminders from our Coordinator of Private Tuition, Mr Stephen Cummins (scummins@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au ):
All students need to take their diaries with them to each music lesson. The tutor will sign the 'Out Of Class' page.
Please carefully place your instrument in the instrument storeroom. Students are to keep this area neat and tidy.
Parents, if your son is absent from school and it happens to be on their music lesson day, please let your tutor know directly prior to the start of school.
Open Day
Our ensembles are busy preparing for Open Day performances at our Chatswood campus on Saturday 14 March. Information regarding performance times and participating ensembles will be published next week.
Want to join an ensemble? Should your son be interested in joining a particular ensemble, he is welcome to come and try it out during the advertised rehearsal time. For instrumental ensembles, it is a requirement that you son learns an instrument in order to join the ensemble. The ensemble director will then be able to determine if that ensemble is the best fit for him, depending on availability. Ensemble enrolment is via Clipboard, where you can select the ensemble of interest, and the ensemble director will place your son in the relevant ensemble.
Students who are new to their instrument may need a few lessons before being able to join an ensemble. Their private tutor and the ensemble director will be able to guide them with this.
For more information regarding ensembles, please contact Mr Andrew Saar, Coordinator of Music Ensembles: asaar@stpiusxnsw.edu.au
Important Performing Arts dates Term 1:
Week 4, Saturday 21/2 – Chatswood Chinese New Year Parade – Drumline, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. An email will be sent home to relevant families soon.
Week 7 – Saturday, 14/3 – Open Day – most ensembles
Week 10 – Wednesday 1/4 – Year 12 Major Works Day #1
Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts
From PAPA
We had a fantastic turn out to our Performing Arts Information Evening and PAPA AGM last Monday 9 February, where we ran through the 2026 changes to ensembles, the Performing Arts Cultural Tour and PAPA AGM.
I am delighted to introduce our PAPA Committee for 2026, including 8 new members.
Mrs Sylvia Ulevik, PAPA President
Drama Matters
ONSTAGE Excursion: in the words of Year 11 students
Student 1: Noah Mc
This year Onstage 2026 brought together a varied array of standout performances from the HSC drama. Projects such as script writing, set and costume design, monologues and group projects were all on show this year, and what an entertaining show it was. In this report I would like to hone in on the aforementioned group projects with the satirical comedy Vax or Fiction. This project was an introspective dive into the world of vaccinations, observing the topic from all angles – sceptics, doctors, pro-vaxxers and anti-vaxxers alike. In today's review we will look at the groups' use of different theatrical forms, styles and techniques; how the groups engaged their audience; how the various groups worked together to form their group; the effect and overall enhancement of their costumes; and what dramatic themes the performance tackles.
Student 2: Harry M
State Of Mind was an engaging physical theatre piece using the actors’ own bodies and voices to create an out of body experience without a word of dialogue. It explores issues of mental health, especially in teenagers and young adults, symbolising the feeling of being trapped that is commonly associated with mental health struggles like anxiety and depression. The piece used a variety of rhythmic, vocal and physical techniques to emotionally connect with the audience and spread awareness about the issues captured.
Upcoming Dates:
Monday 23 February: No Senior Drama Ensemble due to staff meeting.
OPEN DAY: Drama students are asked to make themselves available for this event.
The IIiad at Sydney Theatre Company: 22 April. Elective Drama students from Year 9 - 11 will attend the matinee performance of this timeless classic.
Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama