Performing Arts

DRAMA MATTERS

Zeal performance & workshops: The Year 8 students responded significantly to themes and issues raised in the performance STONES that was presented to them last week. It was a joy to watch their faces, as they grappled with the choices the boys from the play were navigating. Zeal posed many moral and intellectual questions to the students. In the workshop it was over to the boys to be creative and collaborate with their peers. Each group had to create a short play which was inspired by a list of titles from freeze frames created at the beginning of each workshop. Please look at the pictures to get a feel of the hard work, zest and creative flair that all boys demonstrated throughout the workshops. Thanks again to PAPA who funded the two days. Students in Year 8 will be shortly making their subject selection choices for next year. All boys from Year 8 who have an interest in creativity, collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, public speaking are encouraged to consider Drama as one of their options.

A View of the Bridge by Arthur Miller: Ensemble Theatre from 18 July – 24 August:  Students from Year 12 Elective Drama were lucky to watch this outstanding production. They were incredibly impressed with the professionalism, creativity and sheer brilliance of this modern day Greek tragedy. We encourage you to go and see it with your older children or as a night out with your partner.

“The best theatre show I have ever seen.” Tim McLachlan Year 12 student

The Mind of War: Sam Schyvens:  We are so lucky to have so many talented students across the Performing Arts department. Students who are also ready to step up when the opportunity arises. For the recent academic awards we had scheduled the two Group Performances to be performed for the students in Years 7-10. Unfortunately we had major sickness across both groups and instead Sam stepped into the fold to perform this monologue, his HSC Individual Project. This is a speech that Sam developed in conjunction with a writer called Tom Mesker (NIDA, atyp). Sam’s performance was dynamic and he held his audience’s attention from start to finish. A wonderful example of the commitment and talent of the students at St Pius X.

Junior Ensemble: Friday morning 7.30am – 8.30am:  We welcome Ruby Conolan Barratt as the new tutor of the Junior Ensemble. She is a creative, hardworking drama practitioner and is passionate about engaging the next generation of young people in the arts. We are very lucky to have her on our team.

'Lord of the Flies' Excursion  (by Charlie Hamill Year 10)

On the 1 August, 7:30pm at the exquisite Roslyn Park Theatre, boys from Years 9, 10 and 11 attended a showing of Lord of the Flies by William Golding, adapted by Joseph Althouse. Directed by Kip Williams, with star talent such as Mia Wasikowska who played Alice in 2010’s Alice in Wonderland, this play was truly a testament to childhood innocence, power and jealousy. In the midst of a brutal war, a plane carrying a group of schoolboys crash lands on a deserted tropical island. With the range of the boys ages being that of six to twelve years old, and no remaining adults, governing and surviving with each other wasn’t going to be easy. Especially when a strange mythical ‘beast’ is thrown into the picture. The performances were magnificent, the lighting and atmosphere captivated us into this unique world that was brilliantly crafted, and the ending threw us all into a haze of joy, sadness, confusion and mystery as this experience managed to not only surprise us, but made us think more deeply about the structure of society, leadership, innocence and control. Lord of the Flies was an absolute joy to witness and I would like to thank Sydney Theatre Company for having us, the many people behind and on the stage who brought the production to the high standard it is, and to Ms Lindley who organised for us to go.

Ms Penny Lindley - Drama Teacher

MUSIC MATTERS  

Steinways, Remote Control Cars, Neurogenetics, Tales of War & Jazz

Academic Awards Ceremony, a Showcase of Student Learning & Creative Endeavour

Congratulations to all the boys who received awards at last Friday’s Academic Awards Ceremony. Our thanks to Mr Alex Damo, Ms Sue Cheney, Ms Leisa Proc and Mr Mark Casey for their work in producing and managing what was an amazing ceremony. It ran like clockwork, with all those involved buzzing with joy.

Our Department is particularly proud of the work of Mr Power and the Intermediate Jazz Band.  This talented group of musicians created an atmosphere of celebration for our award recipients. Sam Schyvens stole the show with his breathtaking self-composed Individual HSC Drama work, “Mind of War”. The silence of students as they listened intently, spoke so much of the power of Sam to convey the post-traumatic stress induced by the horrors of war.  To bring everyone back to a state of joy, Miguel Alvarez played Astor Piazzolla’s fabulous Argentinian work, “Libertango”. Miguel’s HSC Music Extension ensemble work involved not one, but two grand pianos, played by Miguel and Ms Waddington. Mr Cummins and his protégé, Henrik Hogg, ground out the bass line on two double basses. Why? Because they can! The fifth member of this chamber quintet was our very own Yo-Yo Ma, aka Mr. Primrose-Heaney. Miguel left the stage and audience beaming.  “I am not really into cars, but if I was, I think I just drove a Lamborghini, really fast.” 

As teachers we can go for weeks seeing small changes in our students and then boom, one day there they are on stage being experts. Every student at Pius has a place on that stage and we can’t wait to see more take up the challenges of trying, failing, persisting and achieving.

Sing a New Song - 'Song in a Day' a Great Success

Mr Primrose-Heaney had been at St Pius X College all of four days before suggesting that we should have our very own song-writing day. Well last Sunday August 4, his great idea came to fruition with 25 boys from Year 5-12 coming together to write original songs. To get the creative thoughts flowing, Mr Balboa and Mr Mulheron spoke of our calling to be advocators of Social Justice. They explained the touchstones of EREA Catholic Education and the legacy of Edmund Rice. Boys brainstormed ideas, key words and poetry to devise their own lyrics.  Master composer, Luke Byrne arrived and helped each band to articulate their messages. Once their lyrics were refined our five bands set about creating melodies and harmonies.  Mrs Rawle was a huge support to our song writers, as was our Performing Arts Prefect Lachlan Donlevy. Being a boys’ school we had to pause for pizza and we also celebrated with cookies and birthday cake for Liam Chang.  In the afternoon our musicians picked up tools and finished their songs. Our day concluded with a show and tell session. We were astounded by the variety of songs and the depth of meaning in each group’s lyrics. The next step will be notating and recording the boys’ work.  Our sincere thanks to Mr Primrose-Heaney for his vision, Luke Byrne for his compositional coaching, Mrs Rawle for sharing her love of song-writing, Mr Mulheron and Mr Balboa for their faith in action, and all our students for being part of this special day at St Pius X College.

“The inaugural “write a song in a day” was a huge success and a fun day for everyone participating. Not only did we enjoy the challenge of composing a social-justice-themed song and writing resonating lyrics, but had a blast jamming with our mates. Special thanks to Mr Balboa, Mr Mulheron, Mrs Rawle, Mr Primrose-Heaney, Miss Rang, Mr Luke Byrne and Mrs Waters for an enjoyable day for all.” 

(Liam Chang Year 10)

Elective Music and Drama Year 9 (2020) Subject Information Night:  In terms of brain development, creativity and people skills, Music and Drama are every bit as important educationally as the three Rs.

If your son is interested in studying Elective Drama or Music in Year 9, please come along to the subject selection evening. Our friendly students and staff will be available to answer your questions from 5pm.

Start the Day with Singing, Sunshine and Friends  

Join Us at College Mass Every Day 2 Tuesday @ 8am

With all the rush of academics, sporting commitments and life, we sometimes think we are too busy to stop.  Someone once said to me, if you are feeling stressed meditate for 10 minutes and if you’re really stressed, meditate for an hour! When you stop to consider the entire universe you realise you are just one small speck. The things that seem hard are often not so daunting. Singing, reflecting and feeling the morning sunshine on your face are key ingredients for a happy day.  Please join us every Tuesday Day 2.

P & F Trivia Night Saturday August 17, 6pm – Did Someone Say Thrift Shop?

This year’s Trivia Night on Saturday August 17 looks like lots of fun.  The dress code is Recycled/Vinnies so there are no excuses for not having anything to wear. Just dig out your favourite wedding dress, onesie or 80s tracksuit.  

The SPX Senior Jazz Band will be providing pre-trivia entertainment.  Geoff Power, Steve Cummins and myself will be there to support the cause. 

20 of the 36 tables have already gone. All the proceeds go back to our students and College.

Please RSVP to Pip if you would like to bring your trivia to our Performing Arts Team.  Our PAPA table is in need of geeks, reality TV connoisseurs and sporty types (no offence to Geoff and Steve). We are going with a recycled Hollywood theme – pull out your dress-ups and register your Beyoncé Knowledge via the attached link.

No One Can Whistle a Symphony, It Takes a Whole Orchestra to Play It

College Orchestra Workshop Sunday August 18, 10.30am-1.30pm

The SPX College Orchestra has a WOW of an opportunity: The Winter Orchestra Workshop! Lots of repertoire to master, friends to jam with and lunch provided.

Elective Musicians to Meet the Music of Schubert, Liszt and Ledger

Meet the Music Concert #6 Wednesday August 21, 6.15pm

• LEDGER Two Memorials (for Anton Webern and John Lennon)
• SCHUBERT arr. Liszt Wanderer Fantasy
• LISZT Dante Symphony

“Simone Young shows us visions of Vienna and then takes us to hell and back with Liszt’s epic Dante Symphony.

In his Two Memorials Australian composer James Ledger remembers the ‘difficult’ Viennese composer Anton Webern and icon John Lennon. It’s a surprising musical juxtaposition as 60s pop psychedelia meets serialism, but there is a fateful connection between the two composers.

Liszt wraps orchestral finery around one of Schubert’s great solo piano masterpieces, the Wanderer Fantasy, to create a kind of concerto. It’s a poetic vehicle for Louis Lortie’s dazzling insightful pianism, conducted by Simone Young in a program that showcases her affinity for richly expressive music.

Liszt was inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, writing vividly infernal, voluptuous and heavenly