Performing Arts
Music Matters
Tertiary study early entry news: Special congratulations to Year 12 Music 2 student and Performing Arts Vice-Captain, Henrik Hogg, for receiving an early entry offer from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music to study a Bachelor of Music degree. Henrik will be majoring in Composition and submitted a portfolio of scores and recordings of his original works and was also interviewed to gain entry. Studying at the ‘Con’ gives Henrik an opportunity to be mentored one-to-one with some of Australia’s most gifted and widely recognised composers, as well as a variety of opportunities for his pieces to be performed. We look forward to watching Henrik on his composition journey and wish him the best of luck.
PAPA news: PAPA Meeting, Monday 24 July at 7:00 pm, St Pius X College Music Rooms. All are welcome to come along. This is a great way to hear what is happening in performing arts at the college and meet other families within the performing arts community of St Pius X!
Ensemble rehearsals information: All rehearsals resume this week with the exception of the Junior Chorale, Senior Chorale and all Drama ensembles, which will start back in Week 2.
Should you have any questions regarding ensembles, please direct them to Mrs Stella Talati, Ensembles Director, stalati@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au. New students are always welcome to come and try out an ensemble.
Performing Arts Levy: Our annual Performing Arts levy fee of $270 will soon be sent to parents via a Trybooking link. We apologise for the lateness of this invoice and would appreciate your prompt payment. Please remember this is a one-off fee as per the 2023 Performing Arts handbook for any student involved in private tuition and/or an ensemble (Music, Digital Music and/or Drama) and is charged per student, (not per ensemble/instrument) and covers both semesters. This levy covers the cost of purchasing music, directors’ fees and the purchase and maintenance of instruments.
Private Tuition information – should your child be interested in learning an instrument, including voice, please use this link below to submit your request
https://spxchatswood.formstack.com/forms/application_for_music_tuition.
Should you wish to cancel tuition, the school policy is to give at least three weeks’ notice as per the Performing Arts handbook and application form. Please discuss this with the music teacher involved, the Private Tuition Coordinator, Mr Steve Cummins, (scummins@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au) or myself (awesthoff@stpiusx.nsw.edu.au ) as sometimes a change of teacher may also be possible.
Upcoming Performing Arts events this term:
24 July – 7:00 pm – PAPA meeting, Music rooms. Parking available onsite.
27 July: Year 11 Music 1 and 2 - Composition workshop excursion to MLC Burwood. Excursion details to be emailed home this week.
2 August – HSC practical trials
24 August – ‘Splinters, Splashes Stage & Sounds’ HSC night
1 September – Father's Day Liturgy tbc; Farewell to Seniors Twilight Concert
*HSC Music practicals early September, date to be provided
5 September - Sports Colour Awards at The Concourse
19 September - Year 12 Internal Graduation at The Concourse
Mrs Annabel Westhoff - Performing Arts Coordinator
Drama
HSC Drama Trial SHOWCASE
Please join us this Sunday for the 2023 HSC Drama Showcase. This is the culmination of the HSC Group and Individual Project work for this year. External markers will be present to mark the students and give them invaluable feedback which they can then use in preparation for the HSC Practical Examination in August. The event starts at 1:00 pm in the Sarto Centre and we’d love to see you there. This event is suitable for any student from Year 8 and above.
Drama and Chinese Excursion
Last term a group of Drama and Chinese Language students went to the Opera House to see the play, Yong. A timeless coming of age story about a boy travelling from China to join the Australian Goldrush of 1857 in Ballarat. The play was a storytelling epic performed by one highly skilful actor.
Afterwards we went with Ms Lee (Languages Coordinator) to Chinatown to experience Chinese culture in a contemporary setting and enjoyed authentic Chinese food.
Drama Ensembles Term 3
All ensembles will start in Week 2. All students who have signed up for an ensemble must come to rehearsals.
Senior Ensemble: Monday 24 July at 3:30 pm: Working on the play FLESH
Intermediate Ensemble: Thursday 27 July at 3:30 pm: Working on the play PETE THE SHEEP
Junior Ensemble: Friday 28 July 7:30 am: Working on drama activities, games and stagecraft.
Ms Penny Lindley - Drama Coordinator