Performing Arts
Music Matters
‘Endangered’ Instruments Program
To boost numbers of certain ensembles and in private tuition on our ‘endangered’ instruments list, we offer discounted lessons and instrument hire on the following instruments:
• Double Bass
• Cello
• Flute
• Oboe
• Bassoon
• French Horn
• Baritone Saxophone.
If your son is interested, please contact Mrs Stella Talati, Coordinator of Music Ensembles (stalati@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au) to check his suitability for the instrument.
AIS Music Conference
Last Friday I attended the annual Australian Independent Schools Music Conference at Brigidine College, St Ives. The keynote speaker was the fascinating Dr Christabel Llewellyn, an Australian concert pianist who was mentored by the famous conductor and composer, Leonard Bernstein whilst a student at the Royal College of Music in London. Both musicians were intrigued as to the link between music and the brain, and consequently Llewellyn has completed a medical degree and doctorate thesis at Cambridge with ground-breaking medical research on music and the human body. She has since recorded all parts of the human body and can tell you the key and tone colour (sound quality) of each part (did you know the diaphragm is an Eb major oboe?!).
As you are no doubt aware, there are many ways music can help to soothe and heal the human body:
• Oxford University has suggested a playlist of classics that help to reduce blood pressure including Beethoven’s 9th Symphony
• Baroque music played at 40 – 60bpm has been proven to help primary students focus after lunchtime
• Music does not need to be played loudly to make an affect – the brain automatically finds music above ‘noise’
• Heavy metal music raises blood pressure which encourages aggressive behaviour (no surprises there!)
Year 5 /6 Bible Liturgy
Special thanks to our Senior Chorale members who so beautifully led the singing at this special liturgy. It was certainly appreciated by the congregation.
Open Day, Saturday 18 March
Please note the following from Mr Brannan if you are unsure about what to do if your child has both sporting commitments and Open Day music commitments:
• Rep/comp sporting commitments take priority over Open Day music
• Open Day music takes priority over sports trials
PAPA
A big thank you to our PAPA committee members who attended a meeting on Monday night, where approval was given to purchase the instruments required to start a Drum line! Due to a delay in delivery of these instruments, we are looking to start this ensemble in Term 3. We also discussed the upcoming drama production, ‘The 39 Steps’. Parents of students of cast, crew and musicians involved in the play will be receiving information about meals being provided before performances by PAPA soon.
Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Performing Arts Coordinator
Drama Matters
The 39 Steps
On Friday we worked with a very experienced professional actor named Charlie Mayer. Charlie has been acting in Australian for the past 10 years and previously had a very successful career in TV and film in the UK. He effortlessly worked with the cast on their vocal and physical movements and paid particular attention to characters and the way they interacted with each other. His advice and direction came at a pivotal time in our rehearsals when we are now focusing on characterisation, style and accents/vocal delivery. Charlie was also in a professional production of The 39 Steps that toured South Australia. We were very lucky to secure this workshop.
On Monday we were given our cast T-Shirts and a big thank you to Mrs Emma Fryar for getting this organised, Blake Markulin for help with design and Ms Felicity Barrett for design and making them look good. I’m looking forward to wearing mine at our forthcoming Sunday rehearsals.
Please note that ALL actors are needed at every Sunday rehearsal until the end of term. We will be reaching out to ask for some help backstage and with make-up and costumes, so parents of the cast check our Canvas page for those announcements.
Intermediate Drama Ensemble
It has been exciting getting to know the new students who have joined the Intermediate Drama Ensemble this term. We have a large group of enthusiastic actors who just love to perform as you can see from the photos. This ensemble is open to students from Years 7-8. Please note this Thursday is our last rehearsal due to the play. We will start again Week 2, Term 2. Students should remember their code of conduct and ensure they are helping to create an inclusive and well-managed environment when acting on stage, rehearsing their scenes and being an audience to the other students’ work.
Junior Ensemble starts this Friday 7:30 am with Elodie Westhoff. Please make her welcome!
Ms Penny Lindley - Drama Coordinator