Performing Arts
DRAMA MATTERS
Drama Ensemble Showcase: Performing Arts Festival
Thank you to all the parents and caregivers who came to see the Drama showcase on Friday evening. It was a wonderful atmosphere and great to see the Sarto Centre full of our community of parents and students. We hope you enjoyed the performances – these are just a taster of what we have worked on since Term 2.
“You know the circus performer who spins the plates in the air, and he’ll spin six or seven plates in the air? Acting sometimes is kind of that guy spinning all those plates in the air… but in your head and in your body.” - Phillip Seymour Hoffman
Frantic Assembly Workshop
Last Wednesday I had the absolute pleasure to take part in a workshop led by Steve and Perry from Frantic Assembly. They are over from the UK through Drama NSW, which is a professional body who organise our conferences and workshops throughout the year. Frantic Assembly are well known in the UK for the outstanding work they do in theatre and the workshops they offer to young people. Performers are encouraged to take a moment back to its simplest truth and build from there. This places dancers, actors, students, teachers and all participants on the same starting point.
The Frantic Method has helped Frantic Assembly become leaders in movement direction within theatre. It is essentially direction through movement and promotes an acute physical awareness that can be implemented in moments of stillness just as it can be in the physically spectacular. Personally I am always searching for new ways to challenge the boys, particularly as movement and ensemble work is at the heart of the Drama syllabus. This was an incredibly inspiring day and I’m looking forward to finding opportunities to bring this work into the classroom.
“I wanted to develop a language that felt accessible and honest. I wanted to share a process that would take people past their perceived limitations." - Scott Graham, Artistic Director of Frantic Assembly
Ms Penny Lindley - Drama Teacher
MUSIC MATTERS
Twilight at Christmas – Helping Out With Drought
Friday November 29, 5 pm at Chatswood – Bring Your Family
With only four weeks to the end of Term 4, things are going to start getting Christmassy. Our final Twilight Concert for 2019 showcases our large ensembles, culminating with a visit from Santa and Christmas Sing-a-long. Think Carols by Candlelight, or Carols in the Domain, only the domain is our playground. In lieu of buying tickets, parents and friends might like to make a donation towards drought relief in regional NSW. With music, drama, dance, food and lots of festive cheer, this will be a wonderful community event for all.
Performing Arts Festival: Don’t Stop the Music!
Our dedicated tutors have been enjoying running their studio concerts as part of our Performing Arts Festival. Concerts in the band room and gymnasium have been packed with keen performers and their supportive parents. Performing in front of a live audience requires courage and grit. We have been extremely proud of all students and encourage them to keep playing for others. Perhaps your son might like to play his repertoire at your local nursing home, or busk over the summer holidays. Our sincere thanks to our tutors for their expertise and commitment to providing the best music education to the students in their care.
Dear Mr Cranney, The guitar night was wonderful. It was great to see the boys performing. Thank you Mr Cranney for all your work with Jack. He gets so much enjoyment from guitar. Matt and I are happy to see him playing and making up his own tunes. We don’t play any instruments and seeing Jack embrace something that is completely independent of us, is really exciting. Kind regards
- Lorna Hammond
Good Afternoon Mr Cranney, Attached is a photo from last night. We did enjoy the studio atmosphere, and the boys all played so well! Thank you for all that you do for the guitarists at Pius!
- Elizabeth Griffin
Performing Arts Festival Guitar Night - Link to photos:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/tpy82NXccrGqcXUQA
Senior Concert Band Sets the Tone
2020 Student Leaders’ Investiture Ceremony
Last Thursday October 31, the College gathered to honour our newly elected student leaders for 2020. Backstage there was an air of excitement amongst all boys. With new ties in hand, it didn’t take long for them to transform into a fabulous Year 12 students. The calibre of the student speeches was exceptional.
Particular thanks goes to the St Pius College Senior Band for their performance and leadership of the ceremony. From start to finish our most accomplished musicians added grandeur and optimism to this celebratory event. Our huge thanks to Mrs Stella Talati for directing the band so skillfully, Mrs Natalie Rawle for her guidance and our new Year 12 parents for their support during this exciting transition.
Hang on for the ride. Remember, the HSC is just one small aspect and not the total measure of great human being.
People, Get Ready, There’s a Train A-Coming!
St Pius Welcomes New Year 5 and 6 Students for 2020
Last Saturday saw a large gathering of new Pius students and their parents at our orientation morning. It was so lovely to meet our 2020 Year 5 and 6 boys and chat with their parents. Not surprisingly, many of our new enrolments are keen to join the Performing Arts program. Dancers, trombonists and keen saxophonists are ready to bring their gifts to our beautiful school.
Music Auditions will take place on Saturday 16 November 2019 between 9.00am – 4.00pm, in the College Band Room. Entry to the College is via the Kirk Street Laneway, with parking on site. These are like a grading day, allowing us to place each child into his correct ensemble. Parents, please make a booking via this link: https://www.trybooking.com/BGJIY and follow the prompts. The site will close on Monday 11 November 2019.
How to Commence Lessons: To apply for private music lessons, a Music Tuition Application form must be completed. To do this, please go to: https://www.trybooking.com/BGIOF and follow the prompts. The site will close on Monday 11 November 2019.
If You Start Me Up, If You Start Me Up I’ll Never Stop
Staff Band Demonstrates the Healing Power of Music
As a College we are proud of the number of teachers who sing and play musical instruments. Last Friday night our community gathered to support and honour Liam Knight and Greg Wade. This was a special occasion for our community. The College Staff Band has been rehearsing every Friday afternoon for several weeks to bring together a playlist for this gig. The evening was a great success, raising critical funds for these Pius men.
We congratulate our staff musicians for the joy they give others. What excellent mentors and role models they are to our younger musicians. We hope both Liam and Greg continue to build their lives and share their stories of survival.
Australian Music Composer Visits Pius
Elective Music Masterclass with Jim Coyle
This Friday November 8, Year 10 and Year 12 Elective Music students will undertake a Composition Workshop with renowned Australian Composer, Jim Coyle. This incursion will help to enhance the boys’ understanding of how to construct a composition using 21st Century techniques and technologies. We know from our recent class of Year 12 2019, that composition is something that Pius boys do well. We hope this workshop inspires all boys to great success in this aspect of the Music curriculum. The cost of this masterclass is $20 per student. You can read more about Jim Coyle’s professional background and work at the Sydney Conservatorium of music below.
Are You Kidding, High Distinction for Grade 7 Piano!
What Can’t Ben Giles Do?
We’ve all seen Ben Giles carving up a football field and shredding a drumkit. This is what many teenage boys dream of doing. Yet behind these skills lies another... Like his little brother David, Ben is a highly accomplished pianist. This week Ben strolled passed the Music Building grinning ear to ear. He had just received the report for his Grade 7 Piano for Leisure Examination (included here). Ben has been award a High Distinction (A+) for his performance in this AMEB examination. Well done Ben, we could not be more proud. Keep drumming, tinkling the ivories and kicking goals.
Performing Arts Calendar