Performing Arts
Music Matters
Congratulations and thank you to the Senior Concert Band, conducted by Mrs Stella Talati, who performed so magnificently at last week’s Investiture celebration at The Concourse. Not only did the play the National Anthem and the school song with aplomb, but their rendition of Piazzolla’s ‘Oblivion’ was superb, and the solos by Year 11 students, Darcy Forster (alto saxophone) and Sam Cummins (trumpet) were just beautiful. Thank you to all band members for sharing your talents and the fruits of your musical dedication with our College community.
Performing Arts Festival: There is much excitement (and no doubt a few nerves!) as we begin our Performing Arts Festival performances this week. This is a wonderful experience for our private music students to showcase their progress on their instrument. We are also delighted to see short productions by each of our Drama Ensembles (Junior, Intermediate and Senior) at the Sarto this coming Friday night. Here at St Pius X College, we are privileged to guide and mentor our talented young students and offer them a variety of performance opportunities throughout the school year.
Instrument collection: Please remember that if your son has hired his instrument from the school, it will need to be given into the Performing Arts office by the end of Week 8 (Friday 1 December), UNLESS he is required to perform with it at the Annual Awards Ceremony. More details to come soon.
Upcoming Performing Arts dates:
- Weeks 4 & 5 - Monday 30 October - Performing Arts Festival Weeks. This is a series of private tuition instrumental concerts and Drama Ensemble performances. Dates and times are provided below.
- Week 5 - Friday 10 November - Remembrance Day Assembly (Senior Concert Band)
- Week 6 – Friday, 17 November – Christmas Twilight Concert 5:00 pm (all ensembles)
- Week 7 - Tuesday 21 November - Junior School Sports Awards - College gym – (Junior School Concert Band)
- Week 8 - Monday 27 November - Year 6 Graduation and Liturgy Oxford Falls campus - (Junior Chorale)
- 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 (ensembles tbc) Oxford Falls campus
Voice Tutor: The College is currently seeking a suitably qualified and experienced professional voice tutor for 2024, able to teach vocal technique and a wide variety of repertoire, including classical, contemporary, and musical theatre styles. Should you know of anyone who may be interested, please get them to contact either myself awesthoff@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au or Stephen Cummins, Coordinator of Private Tuition scummins@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au for more information. To apply, please complete the following link: https://spxchatswood.formstack.com/forms/performing_arts_tutor.
Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Performing Arts Coordinator
Performing Arts Festival
St Pius X College’s annual Performing Arts Festival will occur in Weeks 4 and 5 of this term. Below are the details of each tutor’s concert. Family and friends are invited to attend. Thank you for your ongoing support of your son’s musical development.
Please note the following important information regarding the evening:
- Students will be allowed to leave the college and purchase food prior to their performance, and return directly to the college to consume the food. Students should tell their parents of their intention to do this before the day of their performance so parents are aware of their son's movements. Students will remain in the Junior School playground or under Big Brother, under the informal eye of the Performing Arts Staff Room.
- Correct summer uniform should be worn when performing. Shirt tucked in, socks pulled up, tie and top button done up.
- Parking will be available in the main yard only. No parking is available in the Junior School playground where students will gather.
Mr Stephen Cummins - Music Tuition Program Coordinator
Drama
Ensemble actors
Students from Junior, Intermediate & Senior Ensembles will be performing on Friday in the Sarto from 5:30 pm. We welcome all parents and friends to this event. The show has three parts and will run for around 80 minutes. Students performing will not go home. Please bring a snack to eat for the afternoon.
These are the timings:
Junior Drama Ensemble
Parents will have received an email last week with the following rehearsal information:
- Friday 3 November, 7:30 am (usual rehearsal – meet at the Drama Room before walking up to the Sarto)
- Dress rehearsal - Friday 3 November, 3:00 pm, Sarto Centre
- Performance: Friday 3 November, 5:30 pm, Sarto Centre
Students have also been advised of any easy costume requirements they can bring from home.
Intermediate & Senior Drama Ensembles to meet outside the Drama Room at 3:15 pm. You will then work with either Ms Lindley in the Sarto or Mrs Fryar in the Drama Room from 3:30 pm.
All students are to meet at the Sarto at 5:00 pm for a final cast call.
Please remember to bring your costume. Please check your Canvas page or contact Ms Lindley or Mrs Fryar for clarification.
Ms Penny Lindley - Drama Coordinator
From PAPA
We are looking forward to the upcoming Twilight Christmas Concert on Friday 17 November as a chance to celebrate the wonderful talents of our Performing Arts students within the community and enjoy a carol or two.
We are cranking up the BBQ's for the night and looking for volunteers for the event. Please fill in the link below if you're available to help at all. Any help is wonderful. We will be running the BBQ throughout the concert, so bring along family and friends and enjoy the Christmas Spirit concert outside.
Look forward to seeing you all.
Mrs Gabe Donlevy - PAPA President