The Central Yorke School community is extremely proud of our Performing Arts program. Our instrumental and vocal students perform in public to a wide variety of audiences across the state and participate successfully in competitions. Music concerts are highlights of the year. The YP Combined Schools Concert Band is based at CYS and consistently receives high recognition at music eisteddfods, including the annual Balaklava Eisteddfod. Drama and Music are taught by specialist teachers from R-12. The Performing Arts are compulsory from Years Reception through 8 and are choice subject for senior students.

Classroom Music & drama

Classroom music and drama are an integral part of the R–8 curriculum and are taught by specialist teachers. In music students are taught singing, playing, composing and performing. Students enjoy the Music is Fun Band visits and touring musical group performances. Music is offered as a choice subject from Years 10–12. Students have a minimum of three lessons each week, learn a musical instrument with an instrumental music teacher and play in Year level bands and the school Concert Band. In Drama, students develop confidence role-playing, acting, creating their own plays and performing to audiences. They are also involved in the bi-annual Shakespeare festival and school musical.

Festival Choir & Vocal Ensembles

CYS has been involved in the Festival of Music Choir program for many years. Students may join the Festival Choir in Year 4 and students in years 6 and 7 can perform in Adelaide with the Choir. Students in older year levels support the choir and sing in their own senior vocal ensemble. The CYS Choir performs for school assemblies, local functions, with other schools and has featured on national television.

Instrumental Music

CYS students are able to access a variety of instruments from Year 5 and upwards. Instruments include trumpet, trombone, flute, saxophone and clarinet. Lessons are taught by Education Department IMS teachers (face–to– face at the school or through Distance Education technologies) or by CYS staff. Students may hire instruments through the school, which subsidises the cost.

Combined Schools Concert Band

Instrumental students are invited to join the YP Combined Schools Concert Band (based at CYS) once they have reached sufficient proficiency on their instrument. The Concert Band rehearses each Wednesday afternoon after school and performs at school assemblies, music competitions, local functions and at other YP schools. In the past they have also performed at the Kernewek Lowender, in Adelaide at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and shopping centres and in tours around the Yorke Peninsula.

Music Performances

Performing is an integral part of the CYS Performing Arts curriculum and students are given a variety of opportunities to demonstrate their skills to a wider audience.

A formal music concert is held each year in the Performing Arts Centre showcasing the choir, concert band and soloists. This is usually held in late term 3 or early term 4.
Year level bands perform at school assemblies and to younger classes.
The Concert Band performs at a variety of venues, including Presentation Night, the Maitland ANZAC Dawn Service and in Adelaide at the end of the year.
The School Choir and Concert Band both perform each year at the opening of the Maitland Show.

Other Events

Other regular musical events include:

The School Musical: Held every other year, the school musical involves all R–8 students, a range of 9–12 students and many staff, both on and off–stage.
Music Is Fun Band: The Music Is Fun Band is a regular visitor to CYS, usually in Term 2.
Christmas on the Green: An annual event showcasing R–6 students’ music and drama skills.
Maitland Music & Arts Club Productions: The school maintains close ties with the club, with many staff and students performing in their musicals.