Performing Arts
DRAMA MATTERS
Great Expectations Week 10 April 2-4 Sarto Centre: We all know that the best learning often comes through stories. Just as well then that the young men and women of St Pius X and Mercy College are preparing an unbelievably good tale for you. Wealth and poverty, love and rejection, the triumph of good over evil, it doesn’t get any better. Think churchyards, convicts, fights to the death, wonderful characters. Save the date: Week 10 - 2, 3 and 4 April 2019 in the Sarto Centre.
Photos: Drama Students Working Hard to Bring Charles Dickens' Novel '
Great Expectations' to the Sarto Stage.
MUSIC MATTERS
Meet the Music (MTM) Concert: Elective Music Students see the Sydney Symphony and Jazz at the Lincoln Centre Orchestra Perform Winton Marsalis’ 4th Symphony
Having played for Obama, Jimmy Fallon and now St Pius X Chatswood students, we have a new hero: WYNTON MARSALIS! Last Thursday 21 February , thirty Elective Music Students sat mesmerised as they watched the Sydney Symphony and Jazz at the Lincoln Centre Orchestra perform Edgard Varese’s Ameriques and Wynton Marsalis’ The Jungle (Symphony No 4).
Photos: Electives Musicians Get the Wind in their Sails as they listen to
World Renowned Trumpeter, Winton Marsalis, and his Jazz Counterparts
“A fantastic experience which allowed us to experience both Orchestral and Jazz Music. Both bands were outstanding. I think I speak for everyone: we are so thankful that St Pius College has given us this rich opportunity to hear the world’s best musicians.” Liam Chang Year 10.
180 Stage 4 Rock Stars and Counting: You only have to think of the Beatles, Cold Play, U2, Pink Floyd, Police or Silverchair to realise that the best rock bands often started in High School.
Why are we teaching so many boys to play guitar? In learning to play this instrument, boys gain a beautiful understanding of harmony, chords, pitch, notation and rhythm. Learning to play the guitar requires concentration, coordination, rhythmic dexterity and fine motor skills. This instrument creates the perfect pathway to singing and we all know when boys sing, they get beautiful hearts. Endorphins are released in their brains, blood pressure lowers and IQ increases.
While the act of playing the guitar looks downright too much fun, it is actually providing a very intense brain massage. But wait - there is more. After just four weeks of lessons our students are learning to write their own songs. Poetry, language, maths, teamwork. It’s no wonder so many of the Academic Award winners are musicians.
Photos: Year 7 and 8 Students Learning to
Compose and Perform their Own Songs
St Pius Has New Benchmark of Instrumental Excellence – the Shiniest Euphonium!
Our resident Jazz and Brass specialist, Mr Geoff Power, nearly fell off his chair last week. After just one lesson Josh of Year 5 returned with his beautifully polished euphonium. He’s a proud musician! Well done Josh. We are so impressed by your initiative and know that you will keep on shining in all that you do at St Pius.
“We don’t make mistakes when playing the trombone, we make spontaneous creative decisions!”
Year 5 Musicians were in for a huge treat when Mr Geoff Power took time out of his busy schedule to demonstrate the tone, colour and expressive techniques of the trombone. There were lots of giggles as he entertained the boys with slides, growls and his amazing collection of mutes.
Photo: Mr Geoff Power Demonstrates the Art of Trombone Playing to Year 5 Students
Make Way for the Steinway: Last Friday we were blessed to have Hunter Clarke (SPX 2018) perform his fantastic HSC Encore Performance of Afro Blue by Mongo Santamaria. Hunter was accompanied by Mrs Stella Waddington (Steinway piano), Mr Ian Talati (congas and cabasa) and Mr Steve Cummins (double bass).
We hope by listening to Hunter, all our musicians will aspire to reach the same levels of technical facility and musicality. Our sincere thanks to the stage managers at The Concourse for this superior opportunity.
Photos: Hunter Clarke Entertains Students, Parents, Guests and Staff at our
2019 Academic Awards Ceremony
Life is Better When You Dance!
St Pius College came alive last Tuesday with our first Break Dancing and Hip Hop classes. We proudly offer Break Dance Classes to Students in Years 7-12 on Tuesdays from 7.30am - 8.30am in the College Drama Studio and Hip Hop Classes to Students in Years 5-6 at Tuesday lunchtimes in the College Gym.
Photos: Sydney Dance Specialist, Tanya Carne Brings Hip Hop to St Pius.
College Orchestra Workshop this Sunday, March 3 10am-12noon: Mr Primrose-Heaney is looking forward to seeing all Orchestra members at this Sunday’s Orchestra Workshop. Please bring instruments, pencils and wear smart casual clothes. Mr. Primrose-Heaney will be helping the boys to master new repertoire including: Amadeus! From Symphony No. 25 by Mozart, Capriccio Espagnol by Rimsky-Korsakov, and Selections from Les Miserables by Claude Michel Schonberg. Morning tea will be provided.
St Pius Open Day Saturday 16 March 2019: A Day of Celebration for St Pius - Please Save the Date!
Along with Tours and a BBQ Lunch, many of our Performing Arts Ensembles will be on display to make the St Pius Open Day a wonderful experience for prospective parents on Saturday 16 March from 10am - 2pm. Please save the date – more details to follow.
Photos: Senior Jazz Band
Ms Pip Waters - Acting Performing Arts Coordinator