Senior School 

Performing Arts

Eisteddfod results

Congratulations to all our students who competed in the recent City of Orange and Bathurst Eisteddfodau. There were some fabulous results achieved by many of our students. Following are some of their achievements. 

Toby Gough presented 62 on stage performances between Bathurst and Orange eisteddfods, for speech and drama, singing and playing the bassoon.  In total, Toby was awarded 31 first places, 13 second places, 11 thirds and 4 highly commended.  In addition, he received the Woodwind Encouragement Award at Bathurst Eisteddfod and the award for 2BS BRock FM Radio Announcer for 13-14 year olds. Toby also volunteered as an announcer at Bathurst Eisteddfod.

Elizabeth Kwa:

• First – Under 18 Strings
• First – Open Strings Grade 8 and above
• First – Open Piano Duet
• First – Open Jazz Solo
• Second – Open String Solo

Kelvin Tang:

• First – Open Jazz Piano Solo
• First – Open Piano Solo - Romantic
• First – Grade 7 and above Piano Solo
• First – Open Piano Solo – Australian Composer
• First – Open Piano Solo – Classical
• Third – Section 563

Annabelle Van Wyk: 

Orange Eisteddfod: 

• Second - 14 Years & Under Piano - Australian Composer Solo Second - 13 Years & Under Vocal Solo Second - 13 Years & Over Sacred Song  Second - 14 Years & Under Jazz/Pop Woodwind
• Second - Open Grade 5/6 Woodwind Solo Third - 14 Years & Under Woodwind Solo
• Third - Open Grade 3/4 Piano Solo
• Highly Commended - 14 Years & Under Popular Song  Highly Commended - 14 Years & Under Piano Solo

Bathurst Eisteddfod: 

• Second - 13 and 14 Years Contemporary/Jazz Woodwind or Brass Solo Second - 13 and 14 Years Film/Television/Musical Theatre/Pop Woodwind or Brass Solo
• Highly Commended - 13 and 14 Years Popular or Jazz Vocal Solo
• Eliza Ward
• Second - Open Grade 5/6 Piano Solo
• Second - Under 16 Piano Solo
• Third - Popular Piano Solo
• Third - Open Jazz Solo

Greta Seymour:

• First - Open Grade 5/6 Piano Solo
• Second - Popular Piano Solo
• Second - Under 16 Piano Solo
• Second - Under 16 Piano Solo restricted

Sally Carter:

• First - Open Strings Solo

Ellen Arundell:

• First - Under 16 Piano Solo

Will Englund:

• First - Under 16 Piano Solo restricted

Matilda Hayes:

• Second – Under 18 Woodwind Solo
• Second – Open Grade 7 plus Woodwind Solo
• Second – Open Woodwind Solo

Tully Ritter:

• First – Under 18 Solo Voice

Emily Clunas:

• First – Under 13 Piano Solo
• Third – Grade 1/2 Piano Solo

Annabelle Van Wyk: National Finalist in Take The Mic Australia 

Year 7 student, Annabelle Van Wyk, has been busy developing her performance skills this year. In addition to her impressive Eisteddfod results, listed above, Annabelle has taken up the challenge of entering the national online singing competition, Take The Mic Australia. Annabelle progressed through several rounds of the competition, which was live streamed and adjudicated by industry specialists, becoming a State Final winner before taking her place in the National Final.  

The prize for National Finalists included an online masterclass with all judges, providing insight into The Voice, the Musical Theatre Industry and more.  A video of all State Final winners is currently in production. 

Also a talented saxophonist, violinist and speech and drama student, Annabelle has participated in the Sydney Eisteddfod’s Stage At Home event, featuring on their website and social media. She’s also been involved in the virtual Speak Up Competition, KWS Camerata Competition, Year 7 and 8 Open Mic Night, and the ANZAC Day ‘Music for Mateship’ initiative.  For something completely different, Annabelle competed at the Parkes Elvis Festival 2020, placing first in the Junior Busking and Open Unplugged Competitions.  

Unsurprisingly, Annabelle was nominated for a Cultural Award at Australia Day 2020. We are looking forward to hearing more from Annabelle in the coming years and wish her all the best with her performing arts endeavours.  

Farewell Year 12 Music Leaders

Last Friday we farewelled out Year 12 Music Leaders Allanah Seedsman (Music Captain and Strings Leader) Ethan Teber-Rossi (Strings Leader), Darcie Campbell (Band Leader), Karrah Cisco (Band Leader) and Ethan Kairaitis (Drum Major) with a lunch in the Music and Languages Courtyard.  

2020 has been a challenging year on many fronts and our Year 12 students have coped with its many difficulties with grace and good humour. 

The Performing Arts Department wishes our Music Leaders of 2020 all the very best with their upcoming HSC Examinations and life beyond. 

Special thanks to Mrs Martin for her organisation of the event. 

Performing Arts Showcases

Year 9, 10 and 11 Music and Drama students will be holding cohort-based Showcases in Term 4.  Students have begun preparing for these events, which will be recorded in order that parents can see their children’s performances. There will be further details regarding these showcases early next term. 

Year 7 Class Concerts

Year 7 students have been busily preparing an array of performances for their classmates this week.  Whether students learn an instrument outside the classroom or whether they’ve been learning an instrument for the first time in class this year, all students have been encouraged to participate in this performance opportunity. It’s been wonderful to listen to such a wide variety of performances.   

 AMEB Examinations

Australian Music Examinations Board exams are rapidly approaching!  All the very best to our students as they make final preparations for these exams.  Students will be notified of their exam times by their instrumental/vocal teachers. Dates for exams are as follows: 

• Piano – Wednesday 14 October
• Brass – Saturday 17 October (9am – 11.30am)
• Strings – Tuesday 20 Octoboer (2pm – 5pm) and Thursday 22 October
• Woodwind – Wednesday 21 October
• Voice – Thursday 15 October (2.30pm – 4.30pm)

 Please contact Mrs Martin at smartin@kws.nsw.edu.au for further information.  

Final Concert: Know Your ABC’s 

The last of Mrs Moxey’s Know Your ABC’s concerts took place last week.  We wish all her students all the very best in their exams. 

It's a girl! Congratulations Mrs Thorburn 

Congratulations to our violin teacher, Mrs Emily Thorburn, on the safe arrival of her beautiful baby girl, Ellie Charlotte Thorburn, born Wednesday 16 September 2020.

Mrs Jacqueline Shields 

Head of Performing Arts