The Orana Dance Group primary school thespians perform “Superheroes”. Photo: Matthew Lau.
By Matthew Lau
A broad range of enthusiastic children and adolescents provided a Perth audience with a whimsical show to remember earlier this week.
More than 1200 people attended the Catholic variety performance on Monday 10 September at Perth Concert Hall, as the 29th annual Performing Arts Festival reached its cessation during the 2018 Year of Youth.
Award-winning students from 14 Archdiocesan schools featured in the concert in music, dance, choral, and drama performances.
- The Aquinas College Year 12 Jazz Combo entertained spectators on 10 September. Photo: Matthew Lau.
- The St Joseph’s Primary School Choir sang two song at the 2018 Performing Arts Festival. Photo: Matthew Lau.
- Contemporary band “Rock Frogs”, an amalgamation of Padbury Primary School and Our Lady of Grace School boys, were the recipients of the Archbishop Costelloe Award. Photo: Matthew Lau.
- De La J Ensemble of La Salle College closed the show with “Kireina Senshi – Beautiful Warriors”. Photo: Matthew Lau.
The official guests included: Archbishop Timothy Costelloe, Auxiliary Bishop Don Sproxton, Monsignor Michael Keating and CEWA Deputy Executive Director Peter Yensch, along with various Parish Priests and College Principals.
Organised by Catholics Arts, the Performing Arts Festival for Catholic Schools & Colleges aims to help pupils experience the spirit and tradition of performance art.
The Australian National Anthem was the curtain-raiser, sung by Sophia Matthews of John XXIII College in tandem with the Mercedes/Trinity Wind Orchestra. Photo: Matthew Lau.
Schools that featured performing students at this year’s concert were: John XXIII College, La Salle College, Mercedes College, Trinity College, Orana Catholic Primary School, St John’s School (Scarborough), St Joseph’s School (Queens Park), St Mary’s College (Broome), Aquinas College, St Peter’s Primary School, Newman College, Sacred Heart College, Padbury Catholic Primary School and Our Lady of Grace School.
Before the award ceremony, Catholic Arts Chair John Aldous showed his appreciation to all those who made this “mammoth taking” possible.
“The very reason this concert exists is to showcase the God-given talents of our young people,” Mr Aldous said.
“Congratulations to all of our award recipients in the 2018 festival.”
The festival ran from 19 July to 31 August, providing a platform for young Catholic school students to share their gifts with others.