Performing Arts at St Andrew’s Cathedral School inspires students to discover their creativity, develop confidence, and share their talents with others. Whether through Music, Drama, Dance, Musical Theatre or Theatresports, students are encouraged to pursue excellence while finding joy in performance and collaboration. Through Performing Arts, students develop creativity, confidence, communication skills, resilience and collaboration. These experiences equip students to contribute meaningfully in the classroom, on the stage and beyond school.
Our extensive Music programme has opportunities for all students to get involved. Students have opportunities to explore their dramatic talents through our ensemble and Theatresports programmes, and in Dance, students will develop technique and choreograph performances under the guidance of our highly experienced and talented teachers in musical theatre. Students learn discipline through rehearsal, confidence through performance, and teamwork through collaborative productions.
Find out more about our Performing Arts programme:
Drama
- Productions
- Theatresports
- Public speaking/performance opportunities
- Touring opportunities
Dance
- Styles offered
- Performance opportunities
- Choreography opportunities
More about our Music programme
Developing skills, building confidence and fostering friendships in Music
Learning music is very much a part of student life at St Andrew’s Cathedral School and contributes immensely to the general tone and fabric of our School. Our extensive Music programme has opportunities for all students to get involved. There are many performance opportunities provided by the School:
- School assemblies and chapel services
- Concerts and showcase performances
- Productions and musical theatre
- Community and charity events
- City-based performances
- Special celebrations and ceremonies
Individual Music Tuition programme
The Music Department engages a large number of peripatetic music tutors, covering specialisations in a wide range of vocal, string, woodwind, brass, piano, organ, guitar, and also in music craft, composition and electronic music production and percussion instruments.
Individual lessons are delivered weekly during term time. Most students receive a 30-minute individual lesson per week, but as the student progresses on the instrument, lessons may be extended to 45 or 60 minutes.
Many parents/guardians enquire as to how they can help encourage their child with their individual musical studies. The most important help you can give is to organise your child into a regular practice routine. Ideally, this should be done at a set time each day – before school, after school or in the early evening. Practice should be done at least five times per week. The amount of practice time required will vary for each student and music tutors will advise what is best for each student.
As a minimum, beginners should start with approximately 10 to 15 minutes for each practice session. The rate of progress and the amount of pleasure derived from playing an instrument depends largely upon the amount of practice, the regularity of practice and the concentration and effort that are applied during the practice routine.
All Music programme information can be found on the Parent Portal site, in the Performing Arts forms area under Music. If you have any questions regarding our ensembles, please give our Music Administrators a call on 9286 9537 or email music@sacs.nsw.edu.au.
To find out more, or to enrol in either a Music Ensemble or for Individual Music Tuition, see below.
Junior School and Gawura School
Students from Kindergarten to Year 6 are encouraged to participate in our Music Tuition programme. Those learning a string, woodwind or brass instrument (inside OR outside school) are also encouraged to join our ensemble programme. Extension groups for students who play at a higher standard are also run as needed. Students of an advanced ability are also welcome to request consideration to participate in Years 7-12 ensembles.
Ensemble Enrolment
There is no enrolment needed for K-6 ensembles, student can come along to the first rehearsal in 2027 (typically in week 3).
Junior School Music Ensemble sign-up is communicated directly by Junior School music teachers at the start of the school year.
Music Tuition Enrolment – see below.
Middle School
Parents and guardians are encouraged to attend lessons of younger students if they can. This will enable you to watch the techniques used by the teacher and to discuss specific problems, length and routine of practice items, and generally understand ways of maintaining the child’s interest during the more difficult stages of learning.
Music is studied by all Year 7 students and can be selected as an elective subject in Years 8 and 9. Opportunities are also available to attend international music and drama tours, and a musical or major drama production takes place in professional venues in alternate years.
Ensemble and Music Tuition Enrolment – see below.
Senior College
Tutors are asked, where possible, to accommodate Year 12 study hall times to assist students in their final year. Music can be selected as an elective in Years 10, 11 and 12. Opportunities are also available to attend international music tours, and a musical or major drama production takes place in professional venues in alternate years.
Ensemble and Music Tuition Enrolment – see below.
Ready to get involved?
Information regarding ensemble participation and music tuition can be accessed via the Parent Portal.
Year 7-12 Ensembles
The form to enrol in 2027 ensembles will be available here by end of Week 5, Term 4 2026.
** Note: only students enrolling in an ensemble for the first time need to use this enrolment form. This form closes during Term 1 each year. If the form is closed please contact music@sacs.nsw.edu.au.
K-12 Individual Music Tuition
Singing lessons are available to students from Year 5 onwards, based on tutor availability. Students who undertake singing lessons should also participate in our Junior Choir. Please read the Instrumental and Vocal Music Tuition Terms and Conditions for more information about our programme.
- 2026 Music Tuition: Please contact music@sacs.nsw.edu.au if you’re interested in
- 2027 Music Tuition: Click here for the form
** Note: only students enrolling in tuition for the first time need to use this enrolment form.
At St Andrew’s, Performing Arts is more than performance. It is a journey of creativity, discipline and self-expression that enables students to discover their strengths, contribute to their community and pursue excellence with confidence.
Find out more about our Performing Arts programme for each stage on our main website: