Performing Arts
Music Matters
Last week was an eventful week in Performing Arts. Not only are we in the stages of final semester assessment tasks with our classes, we also had an important event in the community. The Chatswood-Roseville Rotary Club hosts a scholarship event named after Gordon Waterhouse. St Pius X College has had participants in this event held at the Zenith Theatre in the past and even had a scholarship recipient in 2014. This year we were represented by Justin Park, Alto Saxophone, from Year 11. In a very accomplished field of performers Justin acquitted himself and the College excellently. The judges and members of the audience, some of whom are very good musicians themselves, commented on his tone and control. Well done Justin!
Not only did Justin perform well but at the end of the recital, while the judges were deliberating on the scholarship recipient, the organisers asked our own Stella Waddington (piano) and Stephen Cummins (Bass Guitar) who accompanied Justin to perform some music. I’m proud to say that their performance, as impromptu as it was, delighted the audience and they received warm applause. They even backed up for an encore! Well done to Stella and Stephen you do SPX proud.
On another note I went to the Roslyn Packer Theatre on Saturday to see the acclaimed production of the musical Fun Home. Again, I was delighted to hear one of our newest members of the Performing Arts staff playing the woodwind parts in the orchestra, Abby McCunn. Her cor anglais playing starts the entire show. Well done to Abby, the experience she has outside SPX will undoubtedly be brought back and add to our collective knowledge in the Performing Arts.
Going back to what’s happening in the College at this time I was in the audience for our Semester 1 Year 9 Drama performance yesterday during lunch. The boys performed themes ranging from dealing with a disaster, the Titanic and conformity. Congratulations to the boys and to Ms Lindley on their continued hard work.
Congratulations to the following students who have been acknowledged for their positive participation in their Ensembles this week.
Mr Anthony Timmins - Performing Arts Coordinator
Drama Matters
Year 9 Performances
This term students in Elective Drama students: Year 9 have been learning about Greek Theatre and how the chorus works together through movement. Students were given the task of creating a contemporary chorus routine with a narrative storyline but told through the techniques of chorus. Two groups wrote, devised and performed their short plays for a group of Year 6 students and staff. One group recreated the events of the Titanic, including the iceberg itself. The other group explored our addiction to our smart phones and how dissenting voices create tension in society – they chose to wear masks to enhance the uniformity of society.
Year 11 & 12 Drama Excursion
On the 8 June Elective Drama students: Year 11 & 12 will head to Belvoir Street Theatre to see Chekhov’s famous play, The Cherry Orchard. Students need to be at the theatre from 6.10 pm for a 6.30 pm start. This is an excellent opportunity for students to observe Realism in a contemporary setting.
Ms Penny Lindley - Drama Teacher