Senior School 

Performing Arts

Music Camp – 19 March - 21 March 

Music Camp will be held at KWS from Friday 19 March to Sunday 21 March 2021. All students in Orchestra, Concert Band, Chamber Strings and Stage Band will be expected to participate in Music Camp during those dates. Students will attend camp at school each day and return home each night.  Music Camp runs outside Camps Week, which means that all students will then be able to participate in regular Camps Week activities. We have a range of activities planned between intensive rehearsals, including Dragon Boating, bushwalking, self-defence classes, and a talent and trivial night.  An email detailing further information about Music Camp has been sent to families of participating students; alternatively, it is attached below. Please ensure that you complete the form contained within by the end of this week. 

Wellbeing Day - Music Performances 

Congratulations to our wonderful Year 10 and Year 12 musicians who did a fabulous job of performing for their peers at last weeks’ Wellbeing Day. They helped create a relaxed atmosphere at Year 12’s brunch and Year 10’s afternoon tea.  A massive thank you to our wonderful accompanists, Mrs Anne Stevens and Mr David Shaw, sound technician Mitchell Coulton and classroom teachers Mrs McRae and Mr Key. 

TryBand 

Tryband started last Tuesday afternoon with 14 enthusiastic Year 7 students ready to learn a new instrument. Students could choose to learn flute, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet or trombone as part of a five week program.  

After only one lesson all students could play a few notes and make some interesting sounds together on their instruments! Thank you to our wonderful tutors- Ms Howarth, Ms Chatterley and Ms Cain. We look forward to watching the students’ progress over the coming weeks!  

Year 7 and 8 Open Mic Night – Thursday 25 March

Year 7 and 8 Open Mic night will be held in the Performance Theatre on the evening of Thursday 25th March, starting at 5:30pm. Year 7 and 8 students who sing or play an instrument are encouraged to sign up and give it a go! The sign up sheet can be found on the noticeboard outside Mrs Shields’ office.  Should you have any queries about the Year 7 and 8 Open Mic night, email Mr Key at skey@kws.nsw.edu.au 

Musicianship 

KWS offers Musicianship from AMEB Grades 1 to 4.  Students who are studying Grade 3 or above on their instrument should consider taking Musicianship classes.  Should you wish to enrol your child in one of our Musicianship classes, please contact the Performing Arts Administrator, Mrs Sharon Martin at smartin@kws.nsw.edu.au, or our Instrumental Music Co-ordinator, Ms Katherine Howarth at kahowarth@kws.nsw.edu.au 

Key Dates  

Please note the following key dates in your diaries for 2021.  It is an expectation that students attend relevant performances. We are hopeful that the situation with COVID-19 will remain stable and that we will be able to proceed with these performances. We will inform you of any changes to these arrangements as they occur.  

• Camerata Competition Friday 12 March Rm 68
• Term 1 Music Camp: Friday 19 March to Sunday 21 March
• Year 7 & 8 Open Mic Night Thursday 25 March
• ANZAC Day Sunday 25 April
• Cadet Farewell Parade Wednesday 19 May 2.30pm
• Camerata Concert Friday 21 May 6.30pm
• Performing Arts Festival Thursday 10 June 7pm
• Year 9 Elective Performing Arts Night Wednesday 16 June
• Year 10 Elective Performing Arts Night Thursday 17 June
• Musical Intensive Rehearsals Monday 12 July – Friday 16 July DPA
• Musical Performance Week (OCT) Monday 19 July – Saturday 24 July
• AMEB Practical Exams Monday 12 July – Friday 11 August (approx. dates)
• Trial HSC Drama marking day Saturday 24 July
• HSC Drama Showcase Friday 6 August
• HICES Music Festival TBC 16 – 19 August
• Orange Eisteddfod Monday 16 August – Friday 4 September (approx.dates)
• String Concert Thursday 26 Aug 5.30pm
• HSC Recital Evening Music 2 Monday 30 August
• HSC Recital Evening Music 1 Tuesday 31 August
• Year 12 Graduation Ceremony Thursday 16 September
• Winter C/C Assembly Tuesday 21 September
• Band Concert Thursday 28 October 5.30pm
• Carols Service TBA
• Speech Day Thursday 9 December 10am

Please note, these dates were correct at time of publishing and are subject to change.  

COVID-19 Protocols  

We continue to follow NSW Health regulations for COVID safe practices in rehearsals.  This means that mandated spacing between students will be maintained and that where possible students will be grouped in Stage groups.  Students must not attend rehearsals if they are sick and will be sent to sick bay on arrival, in line with the school’s COVID-19 protocols.  

In addition: 

• Hand sanitiser should be applied by all participants before and after rehearsals
• Instruments cannot be shared
• Students will set up and pack up their own stand and chair
• No food is permitted in rehearsal spaces
• Pianos, drum sticks and mallets will be wiped down at the conclusion of each rehearsal where they have been utilised

PLEASE NOTE that as of 26 February 2021 NSW Health have advised that choirs of up to 30 singers may rehearse in an inside venue, with appropriate spacing. We will be adopting these recommendations in our choral groups from Monday 8 March 2021.