Performing Arts
Music Matters
As the year draws to a close, I would like to thank everyone involved in the Performing Arts Department for our achievements throughout the year.
Firstly, to our parents who have continued to support both students and teachers in their efforts to maintain their connections with the performing arts. Although government mandates around singing, wind instruments and distancing seriously affected what we could and couldn’t do, we were able to deliver two concerts and are well on the way to completing the Climate Challenge Project by our Drama students. We were able to maintain lessons, firstly online, and now face-to-face at school. Online ensembles continued. We started two new initiatives in the Junior School, running both a Band and String Program in Year 6. Our parents have supported all these initiatives and gratitude goes to Michelle Godfrey and the PAPA team for their support.
To the students, there is an old saying, “patience is a virtue”. You have shown patience in spades this year. Even when things were being cancelled and expected performances fizzled away you maintained focus and good humour to get through.
To our teachers, what more can I say than bravo. Being able to “pivot” and adapt to new situations, our teachers have been wonderful in delivering the same quality teaching and care for our students they always have. So, simply, thank you all for everything you have done this year.
I hope that we will be able to resume our normal activities as a Performing Arts Department next year. We have plans, including the exciting prospect of the Concourse Concert in Term 2. My expectation is that all ensembles and bands will return to normal activities.
We celebrate achievements by all our performing arts community, and last Sunday I received some marvellous news about our piano teacher and accompanist Matthew Thomson. Matthew entered the prestigious Wangaratta Jazz Festival Competition. This is Australia’s premier Jazz Festival and competition, attracting musicians from around the world. Matthew won this competition placing him amongst the finest Jazz musicians and piano players in the country. Well done Matthew we appreciate your contribution to music at SPX.
I have also just received news from Ms Power that we have had some fantastic results from recent AMEB exams:
- David Smith (Year 7) - 4th Grade Clarinet - A
- Benjamin Monger (Year 5) - 1st Grade Clarinet - A+
- Welton Ang (Year 6) - 1st Grade Clarinet - A+
- Owen Calleia (Year 8) - 3rd Grade Clarinet - A+
Congratulations to these boys, well done for all your hard work, and thanks to Ms Power for her preparation of the boys.
Lastly, please take the time to look at the Performing Arts Festival video below.
Mr Anthony Timmins - Performing Arts Coordinator
Performing Arts Festival 2021
Unfortunately due to restrictions we were again unable to hold the Performing Arts Festival concerts in Term 4.
On the school website you can see a selection of student performances filmed either at home or at school this term. We hope that in Term 4, 2022 we will be able to hold the series of concerts on campus and that you will be able to see the students perform live.
Mr Stephen Cummins – Tuition Program Coordinator