Performing Arts
Music Matters
Manly Jazz Festival
On Saturday morning, the Senior Jazz Band captivated an appreciative audience at the Manly Jazz Festival with their vibrant performances and infectious energy. There were even people dancing! The sun-drenched atmosphere of the festival provided the perfect backdrop as the talented musicians showcased their skills, blending classic jazz standards with contemporary interpretations. It was a memorable experience that highlighted the enduring appeal of jazz and the talent of our senior musicians who brought it to life. Special thanks to Mr Geoff Power for the wonderful work he does with these fine young men and inspiring them to be the best musicians they can be.
Performances at Graduation ceremonies
Our Intermediate and Senior Jazz bands both provided wonderful music at the Year 12 Graduation ceremony at the Concourse on Tuesday, which also showcased some of our talented Music 2 students. Darcy Forster (Alto Saxophone) and Max Lenton (guitar) performed dazzling solos, whilst Eliot Sanders had his jazz composition ‘Systems Thinking’ performed by the Senior Jazz Band. This was a fitting celebration of our talented Year 12 students, eight of whom make up the Senior Jazz Band. Special thanks to their conductor extraordinaire, Mr Geoff Power, along with Ms Laura Power who filled in on tenor sax at the last minute for sick students.
Our Drumline also made a special appearance marching the Year 12’s, as they walked through the school gates for the last time through a Guard of Honour tunnel created by the Year 5 and 6 students. Their presence certainly made the event a more memorable one.
Thank you also to the Junior and Senior Chorales for leading the singing and providing beautiful harmonies at the Year 12 Graduation Mass on Wednesday. Their contribution was certainly uplifting and appreciated.
Colour Awards
These are available to students from Years 7 – 12 for their contribution to Music and/or Drama College ensembles and beyond. Please see the following link for more details and criteria: https://www.spx.nsw.edu.au/co-curricular/co-curricular-colour-awards/
Reminder: Hired instruments
Just a reminder that all instruments borrowed from the College will need to be returned for servicing at the end of Term 4.
Some upcoming Performances Term 4
Week 3 (Monday 28/10) Investiture of 2025 Senior Leaders (The Concourse)
Week 4 Performing Arts Festival Week - private tuition concerts
Week 5 (Monday 11/11) Remembrance Day Service (Senior Concert Band)
Week 6 (Wed 20/11) ‘Dear Evan Hansen’ excursion for Elective Music / Drama
Week 6 (Friday 22/11) Christmas Twilight Concert (all ensembles)
Week 7 (Monday 25/11) Junior School Yr 6 Graduation and Liturgy (Junior Chorale)
Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts
Drama Matters
Year 11 Drama
Year 11 students have now completed both their written and practical Drama examinations. Each student performed a 4–6-minute monologue in the Sarto Centre. These monologues were self-crafted from full-length plays, aiming to portray an emotional journey for their characters. Students also focused on presenting the world of their characters and making deliberate choices about the actor-audience relationship.
Year 9 Drama
This term, Year 9 students have been learning about Elizabethan theatre and what it might have been like to be an actor in Shakespeare’s troupe. Our focus was on the play Macbeth, as well as the architecture and audience of The Globe Theatre, and how these elements were integral to the performances staged there. Students learned specific techniques to help them perform Shakespearean language and better embody their characters.
High School Production 2024-2025 Oliver Twist
We are still waiting on some contracts to be signed and sent to me or given to Dan C in Year 10 who is responsible for these contracts.
Rehearsals will begin Week 1, Friday 25 October: students from the workhouse Scene 2 will be called from 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm. All characters from pages 2-8 will be needed. Students should read Act II of the play, and it would be useful if they also highlighted their lines.
Please see rehearsal schedule in this link. Term 4 rehearsals are now in place with Term 1 to be completed once the calendar for 2025 is in place.
Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama