Performing Arts

Music Matters

Oh, what a week!

This week has been one of our busiest and what a fabulous week it’s been!

‘Farewell to Seniors’ Concert

Our week began with the ‘Farewell to Seniors’ Concert on Friday night. The gym was transformed into an amazing performance space, with thanks to the efforts of our maintenance crew in constructing the school’s newly purchased staging modules, allowing us to create an elevated, tiered and extended stage. The boys performed superbly, and it was a fitting send off for our talented Year 12 students. Our Performing Arts Captains, Max Lenton, Michael Krizan and Darcy Forster were informative and highly entertaining as MCs for the final time.

The evening culminated in our PAPA President, Mrs Sylvia Ulevik, gifting each of our Year 12 musicians and actors with an engraved pen. Special thanks also to the Performing Arts parents who provided our students with a BBQ afternoon tea before the concert.

Thank you to Mr Saar, Music Ensembles Coordinator for his organisation of the concert and Ensemble Directors, Mr Shane Cranney, Mrs Stella Talati, Miss Laura Power, Mr Geoff Power, Mr Ian Talati, Mr David Sismey, Mr Brendan Jones and Mr Steve Cummins for providing such a high level of musicianship, enthusiasm, and direction in their ensembles. Special thanks also to Mr Ronchetti, Ms Watson and Mr Stearn for their attendance and continued support of our many performing arts events.

Cocurricular Colours Awards Ceremony (Photos???)

Our Intermediate Concert Band performed brilliantly to entertain the audience at the Cocurricular Colours Awards Ceremony at The Concourse on Tuesday. Special thanks to their conductor, Miss Laura Power for presenting a variety of interesting repertoire with such finesse.

We were also pleased to award Gold colour awards to seven exceptional musicians and one remarkable drama student at the ceremony. Congratulations to Cooper Anderson, Spencer Anderson, Samuel Cummins, Darcy Forster, Fergus Fung, Max Lenton, Thomas McElvogue (Music) and Michael Krizan (Drama) were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the Performing Arts during their time at the College.

HSC Music Practical exams: Congratulations to our Year 12 Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension students who performed their HSC pieces for external examiners this week. This means that they have completed 70%, 65% and 100% respectively of their HSC Music course requirements. Music 2 and Music extension students have also submitted their completed Compositions this week for external marking. Well done everyone!

Upcoming performances:

Wednesday 18 September - Forestville RSL Concert – Intermediate Jazz Band, all welcome
Saturday 21 September - Manly Jazz Festival – Senior Jazz - 10:00 am - 10:45 am (1st band on the Jazz Stars of The Future stage)
Tuesday 24 September – Year 12 College Farewell, The Concourse, Snr and Intermediate Jazz Bands
Wednesday 25 September – Year 12 Graduation Mass – Senior and Junior Chorales

Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Leader of Learning, Performing Arts

Drama Matters

HSC Drama Practical Examination

Year 12 Elective Drama students completed the practical aspects of their HSC course last Thursday. This included the Group Project and their Major Works. A big congratulations to each student for their dedication and hard work completing this work. The Year 11 students helped manage the day and Noah W in Year 9 supported them with his calm demeanour and excellent lighting choices. You may have caught the Group Project performance at Tuesday’s Cocurricular Colour Awards and if so I hope you enjoyed your journey to 'Oliver’s Garden.

Drama Excursion: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

On Wednesday we travelled to Belvoir Street Theatre to watch this excellent play being performed at this wonderful intimate venue. The Drama students were joined by some of the English Department who are teaching this text to their English Standard students. This was final excursion for our Year 12 cohort. I hope they will continue to see live theatre in the future. A big thank you once more for PAPA for covering the cost of the tickets.

Oliver Twist

All students involved in the crew and performance of the play are asked to come to a costume call and play reading this Friday 13 September at 3:15 pm. It is a chance for those involved to meet and be given their scripts and contracts ready for our rehearsals to begin next term (Week 1 – Friday 18 October at 3:30 pm).

Upcoming dates:

Friday 13 September 3:15 pm - 5:30 pm: Oliver Twist Read through and costume call. All crew and cast needed at this event.

Ms Penny Lindley - Leader of Learning, Drama