Catholic Performing Arts Festival wrap-up

Catholic Performing Arts Festival wrap-up

Over a hundred students from the College travelled to Perth recently to perform in music and dance at the Catholic Performing Arts Festival.

The festival, which was held from mid July until September 1, showcases the diverse and creative arts skills of students in Catholic schools. Students represented the College in vocal ensembles, jazz and contemporary bands as well as dance troupes, and were adjudicated by industry professionals.

The Junior Jazz band enjoyed their debut at the festival this year, and were recognised as ‘a group to look out for in the next few years’. Soloists in the Senior band, Year 12 students Mitchell Cassin and Morgan Flower were singled out for their excellent performances, and the band were invited to perform at the public Carnevale on September 14 in the Perth Cultural Centre.

Adjudicators also commended the College’s vocal ensembles for their song choices and excellent diction, and congratulated the students for accompanying themselves on piano, guitar, bass and Cajun drum. The Year 9 students were invited to perform at the Carnevale, while the Year 10 vocal ensemble earned a Merit Award for their performances of Dean Lewis’ Waves and Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You.

Six of our students who accompanied the performers as technical support were also invited back as stage crew for the Festival’s Gala Concert at the Perth Concert Hall on September 11. The students in Years 10-12 are completing Certificate courses at the College in Music Industry and Creative Industries, which include sound and lighting design and stage management skills.

“It was great to see such a large number of students participating,” said Music Coordinator Ms Jackson, who travelled with the Senior and Junior Jazz bands as well as four contemporary bands and two vocal ensembles.

Head of Arts, Mr John Grace, congratulated all the students who travelled to Perth for the festival, and thanked the teachers who gave their time to help prepare the performers. “Our students and staff commit to these events knowing there will many hours of rehearsals and preparation to present a highly refined final product.”