Performing Arts

DRAMA MATTERS

HSC OnSTAGE Nominations

Our huge congratulations to Penny Lindley and her class of Year 12 students in Drama who have been nominated for possible inclusion in OnSTAGE, the showcase of outstanding HSC Drama performances:

• The following Drama students' Group Performance has been nominated for possible inclusion in OnSTAGE, a selection of performances and individual projects from Higher School Certificate Drama students. East Side Story: Lachlan Donlevy, Nicholas McKenzie, Timothy McLachlan, Samuel Schyvens and John-Paul Shahady.

• The following Drama students' Individual Performance has been nominated for possible inclusion in OnSTAGE, a selection of performances and individual projects from Higher School Certificate Drama students. Timothy McLachlan (James from Blackout) and John-Paul Shahady (Henry from Two Scoops or One?) - pictured below.

The boys will now submit videos of the above to be included in OnSTAGE which will be held at the Seymour Centre, Sydney from 8 to 14 February 2020.  Mr Couani captured it perfectly when he said, “This is an incredible result and a true reflection of the students’ outstanding performances and Penny’s extraordinary talent as a teacher.” 

MUSIC MATTERS  

Our Bravest Children Show Everyone How to Be Great Mates

RUOK Day - a Wonderful Day at St Pius X College

While every day at St Pius X College is RUOK Day, we thank Ms Kugananthan, Mr Russo and the Wellbeing Leaders for making last Friday 13 September such a happy day for our College.  With excellent keynote speakers in Luke Forwood and Mr Lynch, a film festival, Year 12 Rock Bands, gorillas, icecream and real music replacing bells, it was hard not to smile. 

Nick Gladen and his buddy Connor Williams did an excellent job of providing pet therapy to our school community.  Nick tragically lost his beautiful sister Maddy to cancer this earlier year. Nick and his family know too well what heartbreak and trauma feel like.  While Nick’s family are grieving every minute of their precious daughter’s passing, we commend them for putting one foot in front of the other. Nick has bravely kept up his studies, his swimming at a state level and his love of music. Nick has found sport, playing guitar, pets and good friends a great source of therapy in coping with the unfair sadness caused by childhood cancer.  We thank Nick and his mum Alison for being a very special part of this year’s RUOK Day. We could not be more proud of Nick. As a school community we keep the Gladens and all Pius families who have experienced trauma, loss, illness or stress, in our daily thoughts and prayers. As a community we all need to be here for each other. Not just on special days, but every day.

It Takes a Village to Raise a Musician

HSC Music 2 and Extension Practical Examinations Completed With Success

We could not be more proud of our Class of 2019 for their preparation and performance in their HSC Performance Examinations held last Wednesday 12 September.  The two visiting examiners said they had not been to a more organised school and specifically commended our students on their courtesy and organisation. While this is one of the most challenging days of the year for Year 12 musicians, our students left the examination room smiling and confident in their concentration and performance. 

I take this opportunity to thank everyone in our Performing Arts team and College for their support of Year 12. With Music staff coaching and performing alongside the boys, tutors changing their schedules, Marilyn McHugh organising the administration, our Canteen catering for the examiners and Mr Long and Junior School teachers keeping the playground quiet, everyone did their bit to make this day a success. A special thanks to the boys in Mr Simpson’s class who helped to polish the piano, set up the band room and welcome our HSC Markers. Our thanks to all our Year 12 parents for their steady support and calm parenting throughout this peak time. Well done Team Pius!

Andreas Brantelid performs Elgar's Cello Concerto.

Elective Music Students “Meet the Music" Sydney Opera House, Wednesday 18 September  6.15pm

We can’t wait to take our Elective musicians to their final Meet the Music Concert tonight.  Our students will watch world renowned Vladimir Ashkenazy conducting two Elgar masterpieces – the Cello Concerto and the Enigma Variations. 

Program Notes:  Elgar’s powerful and poetic Cello Concerto was his favourite and most candid creation. The greatest cello concerto in the repertoire, it’s a tour de force for sensational young soloist Andreas Brantelid.  Brantelid has the ‘ability to reach the emotional core of a work’ (BBC Music) – an asset in this deeply personal and impassioned concerto, a dramatic tussle between resignation and defiance.

Elgar’s gorgeous Enigma Variations is a portrait of his friends – at its heart is the hushed nobility of Nimrod, one of the most beautiful moments of music ever written. Vladimir Ashkenazy is devoted to this expansive and emotional music with its hidden ‘theme’ of friendship.

Tudor England echoes in the soaring vaults of Vaughan Williams’ magical Tallis Fantasia. The austere beauty of a 16th-century hymn is illuminated by music that shimmers and shifts like light though stained glass.

What a musical feast to end what has been a terrific Meet the Music Program. How lucky are we to live in a city with access to such phenomenal live music?

Don’t Stop the Music:  Years 9, 10, 11 Elective Music Evening

Congratulations to the Elective Music students who performed in the Elective Music Performance Evening on Tuesday September 17 in the College Band Room.  It was fantastic to see first-hand the technical finesse and individual expression demonstrated by each musician.  The upcoming holidays are a great opportunity for students to continue practising, busking and playing for friends, family and local nursing homes.

College Auditions:  A Chance to Share Learning

Our sincere thanks to Mr Primrose-Heaney, Mr David Sismey, Mr Jonathan Dollin, Mr Power and Mrs Talati for facilitating the recent auditions for our Ensemble Program. These are a wonderful opportunity for boys to be heard individually and to have conversations with our Ensemble Directors about their aspirations for 2020.  The auditions are run very gently with students being given lots of support and encouragement. Boys do not have to move up to a new band, the process just allows opportunity to try out for inclusion in a higher level ensemble. Well done to all involved and thank you Mr Primrose-Heaney and Mrs McHugh for organising these so well.  Junior School Auditions will be completed this Friday 20 September.

Life is Better When You Sing

Youth Mass This Sunday September 22, Our Lady of Dolours Church

Calling all families and musicians to join us for Mass this Sunday 22 September at Our Lady of Dolours Church. Father Jim would love our students, parents and staff to contribute to the singing and music of the Mass. Please join Mrs Waters, Mr Balboa, Mr Brannan and fellow Pius students. The Mass begins at 5.30pm - we will meet at 5.15pm to the left of the altar. BBQ provided after the Mass.

“People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”. 

-  Maya Angelou

Our Performing Arts Calendar is attached below.

Kindest regards,

Ms Pip Waters - Acting Performing Arts Coordinator