St Pius X College Newsletter

Performing Arts

Music Matters

It’s almost here! 

Join us for an unforgettable evening of Jazz with James Morrison – Friday, May 23

Join us from 6:00 pm for pre-show entertainment and a sausage sizzle before doors open at 6:15 pm. All seats are general admission. A limited number of tickets ($70) are still available via the link below or at the door. Ticket sales close before the show commences.

 

Important Notes:

  • Limited parking is available on school grounds.
  • Sausages will be available for purchase by families and community members.
  • Performers will be provided with food courtesy of PAPA and receive free entry to the concert.
  • Free tea, coffee and biscuits will be offered at interval.

Performing Ensembles

  • Rock Band
  • Combined Intermediate & Senior Percussion Ensembles
  • Junior, Intermediate & Senior Concert Bands
  • Junior, Intermediate & Senior Jazz Ensembles
  • Live Production Crew

Performers must wear full College uniform.

 

Only students in these ensembles receive free entry to the concert. They will also receive a wristband granting access to a snack and sausage dinner provided by PAPA.

 

 

Concert Program:

  • Pre-show (outdoors): Rock Ensemble performance from 6:00 pm

  • First Half: Concert & Jazz Bands with James Morrison – a powerful fusion of student talent and jazz brilliance

  • Interval (outdoors): Percussion Ensembles, plus tea, coffee & biscuits courtesy of PAPA

  • Second Half: James Morrison and his acclaimed quartet will entertain us with a vibrant and soulful finale

Event Highlights:

Throughout the day, James Morrison will work with our jazz ensemble students in a series of exclusive workshops. The day culminates in a dynamic after-school masterclass with James and his phenomenal quartet - open to all interested students and strongly encouraged for Elective Music students. Participation is compulsory for performers.

 

Workshop and Masterclass Schedule, College gym, Chatswood:

  • 9:40 am - 11:15 am (Period 2): Workshop with Senior Jazz Band

  • 11:56 am - 1pm (Period 4): Workshop with Intermediate Jazz Band

  • 1:45 pm - 2:45 pm: Workshop with Junior Jazz Band 

  • 3.05 pm: Snack for performers (BYO water bottle) 

  • 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm: Masterclass with James Morrison and his Quartet (open to all music students, Years 5 - 12)

  • 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Dinner for performers. Some sausages will be for sale for families.  No drinks.

  • 6:00 pm: Warm up in ensemble rooms

  • 6:30 pm - 8:45 pm: Concert

Booking details

Tickets to James Morrison

or using the QR code: 

 

Chamber Concert (Pius Unplugged) – 7:00 pm Friday 30 May - Sarto Centre (cnr of Daisy and Anderson Streets).

This concert will feature our Junior and Senior Chorales, all Guitar Ensembles, String Ensemble, Orchestra and Year 12 soloists. It should last about an hour.

Please note there will be NO supervision or food supplied before this concert as it is a later start.

Performers are required at the Sarto by 6:30 pm in full College uniform. Students are asked to get their instruments up to the Sarto straight after school. No ticket required for admission. All welcome.

 

Elective Music Students Take the Stage!

Families, friends and fellow students are invited to join us for a night of exceptional talent as our Elective Music students from Years 9 to 11 showcase their musical skills at the 'Sounds of Tomorrow: Elective Music Showcase' in the Band Room on Monday, 16 June. This event promises a diverse program featuring solo and group performances, highlighting the dedication and creativity of our young musicians. Each student will present either a solo or ensemble piece. Don’t miss this opportunity to support our gifted and enthusiastic musicians and enjoy an evening filled with captivating music!

 

Headphones for Students

We kindly request that all Music students in Years 5 – 12 have a pair of inexpensive wired earbud headphones, which are easily available at supermarkets and service stations (for example, from Coles, as shown in the image below). These headphones should be kept in their pencil cases and will be used for music composition and listening analysis activities. Thank you for your support!

 

Important Performing Arts dates for your diary

 

Term 2

  • James Morrison Workshop Day - Masterclass and Concert - 23 May

  • HSC Major Works Day - Friday 30 May - Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension students

  • Chamber Music Concert - 'Pius Unplugged' - Friday 30 May, 7:00 pm, Sarto Centre (featuring our choirs, guitar ensembles, strings, orchestra and Year 12 soloists)

  • Junior Jazz - Sydney Eisteddfod - Tuesday 10 June 6:30 pm – time tbc

  • Intermediate Concert Band - Sydney Eisteddfod - Wednesday 11 June 4:00 pm – time tbc

  • 'Sounds of Tomorrow: Elective Music Showcase' (Years 9 - 11 Elective Music students)  - Monday 16 June, Years 9 - 11 Elective Music students.  All welcome.

  • Intermediate Concert Band workshop - Sunday 22 June - 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

  • ICB - NSW State Band Championships (time TBC) - Sunday 24 August

Term 3

  • PAPA Comedy Fundraiser – 20 September

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

From PAPA

Call for volunteers ahead of James Morrison concert next Friday.

PAPA is looking for 12+ volunteers next Friday 23 May from 2:30 pm onwards to help feed our Performing Arts students afternoon tea and then a sausage sizzle dinner.  Even if you can offer an hour of your time, that would be fantastic!  We need help with set up, cooking, distribution and clean up duties etc.

This is a fabulous way to get involved in the Performing Arts community and meet new people.

Sign up here: https://shorturl.at/4Nd4Y

Thank you

Mrs Sylvia Ulevik - PAPA President

Drama Matters

Year 9 Commedia Workshop with Fools in Progress Theatre Company

Last Friday the Elective Year 9 Drama students took part in a two-hour incursion in the Sarto Centre with Ben, an actor from Fools in Progress Theatre Company. This was a fun and informative workshop where students learnt the historical context around this famous theatrical form as well as practical techniques to successfully rehearse and perform the stock characters. Ben worked the students hard so each of them had mastered the steps and physicality of each character. They also had the opportunity to try on some of the masks worn onstage. 

Year 7 Drama

All Year 7 students taking Drama this semester will perform their adverts in Week 5. I am available at lunchtime this week for extra rehearsals for those groups who need it. Meet at the veranda with your group and your lunch. 

 

Upcoming Drama events:

Year 7 Making an Ad! Practical Assessments: Week 5

HSC Drama: Major Works Day: Friday 30 May

 

 

Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama