Performing Arts
The Crispe Brothers Have Their Own YouTube Channel!
DRAMA MATTERS
INVITATION to the HSC Drama Trial Performance - Sunday 28 July at 1pm in the Sarto Centre
On Sunday the HSC Drama students will present their Individual and Group Projects to be marked by external examiners. We invite the St Pius X College community to come along and support the students. There will be two Group Projects and nine Monologues to watch. Refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there.
YEAR 8 Drama Performance and Workshops with ZEAL Theatre
Two boys, aged 13 and 15, are charged with manslaughter after kicking rocks off a freeway overpass and killing a motorist. The Stones is about risk taking behaviour and the pain of guilt when things go too far. The play places the audience in the position of a jury where they must consider whether the boys are responsible for their actions, or too young to know what they were doing.
The Stones, written and performed by Tom Lycos and Stefo Nantsou, is a tour de force of physical theatre by two of Australia's most experienced performers for young audiences and has earned a worldwide reputation of being one of the most successful plays for teenagers. Since its premiere in 1996 the original production has been performed over 1200 times including seasons at the National Theatre in London and The Duke on 42nd Street in New York, as well as having been translated and performed in over 30 countries.
- "...the performers have the tight spontaneous timing of a jazz duo." - New York Times
- "Acting and storytelling at its finest..." - The Vancouver Globe
- "...an urgent and intense two hander..." -London Time Out
Year 8 students will watch the performance of The Stones and then take part in workshops led by Stefo and Tom. We are very thankful for PAPA for funding this invaluable incursion.
Drama Excursions in Week 2
Next week we have two evening excursions. Please ensure your son has returned their permission note.
A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller at Ensemble Theatre
Simmering with jealousy and obsession, Arthur Miller’s searing family drama cuts deeply in this gripping, award-winning independent production from the Old Fitz Theatre. Elective students in Year 12 will attend this excursion. The play starts at 7.30pm.
The Lord of the Flies by William Golding: When a plane crash leaves a group of schoolboys marooned on a desert island, it isn’t long before they descend into rivalries, chaos and violence. Artistic Director Kip Williams’ staging makes us look at Lord of the Flies with new eyes. An exciting ensemble of adult actors, including Australian screen star Mia Wasikowska (Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland) will bring Golding’s island of boys to life, showing how quickly small cruelties can escalate. More than just pig’s blood will be spilled. Elective students in Years 9 and 10 will attend this excursion. The play starts at 7.30pm.
Ms Penny Lindley - Drama Teacher
MUSIC MATTERS
Inspired Words
The first principal I ever worked with was like Rick Russo. He wore his heart on his sleeve and never gave up on any child. Or like Edmund Rice, only he loved singing songs badly - his favourite, the “Greatest Gift of All.” He paid my wage out of sausage sizzles from the weekend markets and for staff meetings his mum brought in her prize-winning cream sponges. Anyway, on my first day I was anxious as all giddy-up. He said very reassuringly, yet directly, “Teaching is the best job on earth, just remember one thing: find the gold in every child.”
I often think of this man and the legacy he gave an entire community. While I never got into Whitney Houston, his philosophy of education has remained a guiding principle. This sentiment pervades every staff meeting, assembly and lesson at St Pius X College. From John Couani all the way down, we are all focussed on what sparks curiosity in each child and how we can lead them to develop their own islands of competence and confidence. As we embark on a new term, may we all look for the gold in each child and each other.
Notes from a Curious Musician
HSC Music Workshops with Luke Byrne
During the holiday break our Year 12 Music 2 Students were fortunate to spend time with Australian Music Composer, Luke Byrne. Luke discussed core concepts of the Music 2 syllabus. His analysis of Music of the Last 25 years was sprinkled with humour and trips to the piano to connect compositional techniques with sound bites. We were very proud of the intense focus and gratitude shown by our students. Luke is a humble, highly talented man who is currently working in musical theatre. His own works have been performed and recorded both in Sydney and overseas. Several of his choral compositions have just being performed at the World Choral Festival 2019 held in Sydney this past week.
“Song in a Day”
St Pius X College’s Inaugural Song Writing Workshop and Competition for Years 5-12
St Pius boys are invited to take part in our inaugural “Song in A Day” song writing competition. That’s right, on Sunday 4 August we will be holding a Song Writing Workshop with Sydney Composer Luke Byrne. Luke will help mentor our students in the art of music composition. All our boys will then enter their songs into the Australian Children’s Music Foundation National Song writing Competition! http://acmf.com.au/national-songwriting-competition/
There are prizes of up $2500 and lots of fun to be gained by this project. Please register your interest by completing the form below and returning this to the Performing Arts Office.
Feel Like a Night Out? Come Along to Our PAPA Meeting TONIGHT Wednesday 24 July at 7pm
Parents and friends are cordially invited to our Performing Arts Parents’ Association meeting this Wednesday 24 July at 7pm in the Performing Arts office. Please park in the College grounds and enjoy a short meeting with supper provided. PAPA is a parent group that has a lot of fun supporting the boys and programs in our College. All our focus is on the children, not who can bake the finest jam tarts or make the best costumes (we out-source all that)!
Like to Sing? We’ve Got Just the Songs
Youth Mass at Our Lady of Dolours Chatswood this Sunday July 28 5.30pm
All SPX College Choristers and Musicians are invited to lead the singing at our Youth Mass at Our Lady of Dolours this Sunday, July 28 at 5.30pm. Bring your friends and family - free parking in the SPX College grounds. Boys who offer their services will be guaranteed high levels of positive feelings and intrinsic joy. When you sing you get rid of stress, when you sing for others you give the greatest gift of all. Please join Mrs Waters, Mr Balboa, Mr Brannan and all your friends in the music area beside the altar.
Fear the Bass Player - Rockschool Success for Joshua Jones
News has just come in from Mr Cummins that his protégé, Joshua Jones has been highly successful in his Bass Grade 5 Rockschool examination that he sat in June. Congratulations Joshua on passing with merit. Josh received a mark of 88% (just two short of distinction). This is a fantastic result for a hard-working, musical young man.
Sparks Fly Whenever He Sings
Congratulations to Henrik Hogg for his Success in the City of Ryde Eisteddfod
While some kids like to flex their muscles on X-Box during the holidays, others like to flex their muscles in the highly competitive world of Eisteddfods. We were delighted to hear that Henrik Hogg (Year 8) competed in not one, but three events of the City of Ryde Eisteddfod. Henrik was the winner of the Under 13 Sacred Solo Competition. He also competed in the Under 14 Vocal Section and received second place in the Under 13 Folk Solo. We could not be more proud of Henrik for pursuing his solo singing in a public forum and hope that he continues making a huge impact through the arts. Bravo Henrik.
Old Town Road, With A Twist
The Crispe Brothers Have Their Own YouTube Channel
Just like Henrik, Ronan and Quinton Cripse have been on the tools these holidays making great music and recording it. Please see the attached video link of the Crispe brothers and their cousins in Canberra who have just recorded their version of “Old Town Road.” Quinton is a wicked drummer who might just give Dave Grohl or Ringo Starr a run for their money. Ronan is lead singer and I am sure you will all agree that he is seriously talented. Our thanks to Wayne and Judy Crispe for sharing this holiday highlight. “Watching the boys make music together with their cousins in Canberra makes us very proud.”
Lachlan Donlevy Takes to the Stage and Air Waves at the World Choral Music Festival 2019
The Gondwana World Choral Festival 2019 saw hundreds of choristers unite for a remarkable week of choral singing. The seven days of the festival began and ended with gala performances in the iconic Sydney Opera House. The epicentre of the Gondwana World Choral Festival was held in the splendid venues of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. The festival welcomed choirs from across Australia as well as Canada, France, Estonia, Latvia, USA, Japan and China. Once again, Lachlan represe