From humble beginnings, the Mackay North State High School Performing Arts program has grown immensely to be one of the largest in the state and has been recognised both nationally and internationally. The school is classified as a School of Excellence in Music and offers excellence classroom programs from Years 7 – 12 along with two concert bands, a string orchestra, string quartet, stage band, drumline ensemble, percussion ensemble and vocal ensemble, all of which have been extremely successful in local and state-wide competitions. Perhaps the school’s signature musical ensemble is the marching band which is the largest school marching band in Australia with over 140 members. This band has represented Australia at the Sydney and Beijing Olympics, the Shanghai Tourism Festival, Disneyland and the Los Angeles Independence Day Parade. The music faculty at the school welcomes many musically talented international students each year, and these students have made extremely valuable contributions to the cultural life of the school in our instrumental, vocal, drama and dance groups. The vocal ensemble comprises over 60 enthusiastic members who very much enjoy the KMEIA Choral Festival each year, numerous school and eisteddfod performances as well as workshops with visiting national and international conductors.
Dance and drama activities also abound with an annual Year 7 - 12 drama production as well as specific Year 10 and 12 drama class presentations each year. Each August the faculty stages a Dance Spectacular evening which highlights the excellent work being achieved by our classroom Dance students. As well the Dance students feature in the school’s Rock Pop Mime presentations.
All the Performing Arts ensembles are showcased in the school’s annual Twilight Concert (Semester 1) and Showcase Concert (Semester 2) which are always extremely well supported.