Performing Arts
Music Matters
Term 2 looks to be another busy and exciting one, filled with fresh experiences for our musicians and drama students to learn, perform, and grow.
Please take time to read the following information carefully, as it outlines a wide range of important events, performances, and activities for your son throughout this term.
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 on Wednesdays after school in the Band Room.
Concert Club - Don't Miss Out!
We are excited to offer 22 exclusive tickets for students in Years 9–12 involved in Elective Music and/or our Performing Arts program to attend a live performance by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the iconic 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.
Tickets are available at the heavily subsidised price of just $20 – an incredible opportunity to experience outstanding music in one of the most famous concert venues in the world.
This is more than just a concert - it’s a chance for your son to hear a full symphony orchestra live, deepen his musical understanding, and be inspired by professional performers at the highest level.
Concert #1 program
The Planets: Westlake and Holst
https://www.sydneysymphony.com/events/symphonic-cinema-the-planets
- Secure your ticket via Clipboard: Activity Selection → Performing Arts 2026 → Concert Club
- Places are strictly limited – first in, best dressed!
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.
They 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.
Trumpet tutor
We are excited to welcome Mr Alex Butler to our Performing Arts peripatetic staff for the remainder of 2026. Mr Butler, who has extensive performance experience in both jazz and classical trumpet styles, will be teaching Mr Hyam’s students, as well as directing the newly established Brass Quintet. Mr Butler will be commencing lessons later this week and will email parents with details.
Performing Arts Cultural Tour: 25 June – 9 July, 2026
We now have 64 days to lift off to the UK and Austria!
Thank you to all parents for attending our meeting on Tuesday night and for signing the necessary paperwork to ensure the smooth running of our tour.
If you would like to view our wonderful itinerary, please click on the link below:
https://web.vamoos.com/preview/d835cd61-3e82-4f4c-899b-1feba6870ffd
A compulsory meeting and social event for all touring students and their parents will be held towards the end of term. At this meeting, students will receive their tour clothing and backpacks, and final important information will be shared. We will also be looking at some more fundraising opportunities this term.
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,
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
Drama Ensembles Term 2
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.
The auditions for our next Senior School Production will be Treasure Island, also held towards the end of Term 3.
Junior Drama Ensemble: continues with fun drama games, improvisation skills and acting tips. Rehearsals recommence this Friday morning.
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.
Please note, all Drama Ensembles are now full.
An Iliad Excursion
On Wednesday, students from Elective Drama attended a matinee performance of An Iliad at the Wharf Theatre. Starring the compelling David Wenham, the production offers a powerful contemporary interpretation of An Iliad.
This excursion directly supports students’ learning in the classroom. Year 10 students are currently exploring the elements of production and will use the performance as a case study for their essays, analysing how these elements combine to create dramatic meaning and engage an audience. Meanwhile, Year 11 students, who are studying directing, will examine the production’s directorial choices and consider how these shaped the storytelling on stage.
Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama