Performing Arts

Music Matters

Ensembles

Please remember to regularly check Clipboard for any changes to Music and Drama rehearsal schedules and to notify us via Clipboard if your son is unable to make a rehearsal due to illness or injury.

Live Production Crew will now be held on Wednesdays after school in the Band Room.

ANZAC Day Service

Congratulations and thank you to two of our trumpeters who played for ANZAC Day Services.

Year 11 trumpeter, Harry Moran, performed a superb rendition of The Last Post and The Rouse at the College's ANZAC Day Service last Friday.

Year 10 student, Jonah Greer, reverently played The Last Post and The Rouse for the residents at the ANZAC Service at St Peter's Green Retirement Village.

Their beautiful playing helped to create a poignant atmosphere at these special occasions.

Concert Club

Friday 1 May, 7:00pm, Sydney Opera House.

We are looking forward to tomorrow night's performance by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House.

Students will travel independently to and from the Opera House and will be supervised by staff members throughout the concert. Dress is smart casual. Meeting point is at the Cloakroom (to the left of the internal stairs on level 1) at 6:30 pm.

Concert #1 program

The Planets: Westlake and Holst

https://www.sydneysymphony.com/events/symphonic-cinema-the-planets

Mothers’ Day Mass: Oxford Falls – Wednesday 6 May

Students in the String Ensemble (and Quartet) and Junior and Senior Chorales will be providing music for this beautiful mass.

These singers and musicians will need to be at Oxford Falls on Wednesday 6 May for 7:45 am sound check and rehearsal. Students requiring transport to Oxford Falls (i.e. unable to go with a family member) will catch a special bus from our Chatswood campus departing at 7:15 am. Please email me at awesthoff@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au if your son requires transport to Oxford Falls that morning.

All students will return to the College by bus at the end of the Mass. More details to be provided in Woodchatta – Performing Arts section closer to the date.

Founder's Day Mass – Friday 8 May

Our Celebration Orchestra and Celebration Choir (Junior and Senior Chorales) will be providing the Music for this important celebration.

Students will leave school at 7:30 am to rehearse and soundcheck before the mass commences. If you wish to drop your son directly to Oxford Falls by 8:00 am, please email me: awesthoff@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au.

Students will then remain at Oxford Falls with their cohort to participate in the Founder's Day activities. All students will need to bring their own food and drinks for the day.

Twilight Concerts

Week 4 - Friday 15 May – Big Bands Bonanza Concert

College gym, 5:00 pm featuring all large ensembles including:

Junior, Intermediate and Senior Jazz and Concert bands,
Rock ensemble
All percussion ensembles (Junior, Intermediate and Senior)
Drumline

Note: All students involved in this performance are provided with a BBQ afternoon tea by our wonderful PAPA.

Week 5 - Friday 22 May – Pius ‘Unplugged’ – Chamber Music Concert

Sarto Centre (cnr Daisy and Anderson Streets), 7:00 pm, features:

String Ensemble and String Quartet
Junior and Senior Chorales
All Guitar Ensembles (Junior, Intermediate and Senior)
Brass Quintet
Bass Guitar Ensemble
Year 12 HSC Music soloists

Please note, as this concert commences at 7:00 pm, there is no after-school supervision or food provided for students on this day.

Ensemble directors will provide further details closer to each concert date.

Sydney Eisteddfod and preparation rehearsal workshops dates for your diaries:

Workshops:

Jazz Workshop Day – Sunday 3 May

Intermediate and Senior Jazz from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Junior Jazz from 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Intermediate Concert Band Workshop – Sunday 14 June – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Senior Concert Band Workshop – Sunday 21 June – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Eisteddfod events at The Concourse – parents welcome

Junior Concert Band – Wednesday 27 May – 9:30 am

Intermediate Concert Band – Wednesday 27 May – 3:30 pm

Senior Concert Band – Wednesday 27 May – 5:45 pm

Junior Jazz Band – Friday 29 May – 1:00 pm

Intermediate Jazz Band – Friday 29 May – 5:45 pm

Senior Jazz Band – Friday 29 May - 3:00 pm

Parents have been emailed details for the above by their Ensemble Director.

Training Band and Endangered Instruments program:

We are looking to establish a Training Band for students who are new to learning an instrument and therefore not yet ready to perform in one of our existing ensembles. This initiative will provide a supportive environment for students to build fundamental skills, confidence, and ensemble experience.

In addition, we are also aiming to strengthen our ensembles by addressing instrumentation gaps through our Endangered Instrument Program. This includes offering small-group tuition during Training Band rehearsals for students new to learning the following instruments from Term 2:

Flute
Oboe
Clarinet
French Horn
Trombone
Bass Guitar

This is also an excellent opportunity for students to explore a second instrument.

Students learning to play one of the above endangered instruments in the Training Band will also receive free instrument hire for the remainder of 2026 on any of the above instruments. The Performing Arts Levy ($400) will need to be paid via Clipboard for anyone not already part of the PA ensemble program to assist with covering associated costs. The Training Band will be run by our experienced Woodwind and Brass tutors and band conductors, Ms Laura Power and Mr David Sismey and rehearse on Wednesdays at lunchtime in the Band room.

Training Band students will be determined by private tutors and ensemble directors. However, if your son is new to learning a band instrument outside of school, he is welcome to take part.

How to join?

Should your son want to take advantage of this incredible opportunity, either through joining the Training Band and/or learning an Endangered Instrument please email Mr Andrew Saar, Ensembles Coordinator: asaar@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Performing Arts Dates Term 2:

As always, please check the Performing Arts section of Woodchatta each week and feel free to reach out to our helpful Performing Arts staff if you have further enquiries:

Cocurricular / Performing Arts Admin assistant: Ms Merryn Dodd,

mdodd@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Private Tuition Coordinator: Mr Stephen Cummins, scummins@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Ensembles Program Coordinator: Mr Andrew Saar, asaar@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Leader of Learning, Drama: Ms Penny Lindley, plindley@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Head of Performing Arts: Mrs Annabel Westhoff, awesthoff@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

Drama Matters

Year 11 Drama Monologues

At the end of Term 1 students in Year 11 elective drama performed two monologues for their assessment. The aim for this task was for students to study two very different styles of theatre and learn the skills and techniques needed to successfully perform and create a character in this style. Students were very successful in their performances and should be proud of their achievements so far.

Drama Ensembles Term 2

This term, all Drama Ensembles will begin working towards their major showcase in Term 3 (20 August). Students who wish to be cast in the upcoming showcase must attend all ensemble rehearsals in Term 2 and 3.

Junior Drama Ensemble: Continues with fun drama games, improvisation skills and acting tips. Rehearsals are Friday mornings.

Intermediate Drama Ensemble: Scenes and improvisation around the play: ‘The Children’s Crusade’. Rehearsals recommence Week 2.

Senior Drama Ensemble: Scenes from ‘The Club’. Rehearsals recommence Week 3 due to Anzac Day public holiday.

Upcoming events

Wednesday 20 May at 9:00 am: Shock Therapy Arts will come to the school and perform the play 'The Stones' for the whole of Year 8. 'The Stones' is a play about risky behaviour and places the audience in the position of a jury where they must consider if the boys are responsible for their actions.

Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama