As the lights went down in the Civic Theatre on Thursday morning, a roar of cheers erupted from Hunter primary schoolers eagerly waiting for a show.
The Newcastle stage was on June 4 the scene of the 19th year of the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle’s DioSounds.
About 450 high school students from across the Hunter joined together to belt out songs as part of this year’s theme, Welcome Home.
In the program, director of Catholic Schools Jacqueline Wilkinson said the 2026 theme was about belonging, connection and a deep sense of community.
St Francis Xavier’s College Hamilton year 12 student Isla Bower was working backstage in her fourth year of DioSounds.
“It is just an amazing opportunity to show off your talents and get to meet new people and make new friends from different schools,” Ms Bower said.
She said she loved the song choices this year with her school choosing Orange Tree by Paul Jarman, Going Home by The Shadows, and Solsbury Hill by Peter Gabriel and other groups performing pop medleys.
“Everyone has been really focused on learning their parts and knowing what they need to do and it’s gone smoothly,” she said.
San Clemente Catholic College, Mayfield drummer Alex Tang said he was excited for a high energy mash-up of hits such as Dancing Queen by ABBA, Ain’t it Fun by Paramore and Take on Me by A-ha.
“We are opening DioSounds and I’m really pumped,” he said.
“I’ve got a drum solo in the middle and I’m just really excited to get going.”
The year 9 student had been playing the drums since he was 10 years old but he had only become serious about the instrument when he started high school and joined a band.
“I’m definitely nervous, the butterflies are certainly there but I think excitement tops the nervousness,” he said.
“It is really fun to play the drums and release the energy.”
Kayla Harvey from St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead was playing the guitar and the flute for her school’s performance.
She did the annual production last year and she said she had so many good memories from it.
“It was probably one of the most fun things I’ve done at school,” she said.
She said this year’s theme meant being welcoming to everyone and making sure that everyone felt included.
“I’ve met so many of my friends from DioSounds and it is such a fun experience to learn songs I’ve never heard before,” she said.
“I love the lights and the audience, there’s so many kids here from the primary schools and they’re just so into it.”
Read full article and see more photos by Jessica Belzycki in the Newcastle Herald here: DioSounds: Hunter students shine in 19th year at Civic Theatre | Newcastle Herald | Newcastle, NSW
