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Many schools have a proud tradition of music performance. Some schools place a special emphasis on choral music performance. Secondary schools, depending on the size, may have several different choirs, enabling students to participate in choral music for the sheer enjoyment or to work towards levels of choral excellence. These choirs perform at a variety of localmevents as well as national competitions. A few even perform at international events. Orchestras, jazz bands and many other instrumental ensembles provide wide-ranging opportunities for musical performance and group participation. As with the sports program, the emphasis is not on providing limited opportunities for a small number of the most talented pupils, but rather to offer oppotunities for as many pupils who seek to partivipate in musical groups. As a result most schools of any size sponsor many diiferent performance groups involved in a wide range of musical formats.
1996 has shown a great line up of talent, variety and success for musicians in the college. With an increase in the number of music students and the emergence of new groups and bands, competition has been fierce in booking practice rooms at lunch times to 'beat' out new sounds." .... New to the college this year was the formation of the FDMC Junior Band. Although many are beginning students they are already making some amazing sounds and will perform for the first time at the Junior Prizegiving. It will be these students who are preparing to step into the shoes of the experienced players, some od whom are leaving the college this year. Our thanks go to these talented senior students who have contributed greatly to the school music scene over their time at the college.
Yvonne Van Lent, Frances Douglas Memorial College, 1996
It has been a quite but enjoyable year for Octaves. Our commitments to Bursary limited our involvement with the choir but that did not deter us from entering in the Choral Federation competitions in June. Unfortunately we did not get a placing but we did enjoy ourselves. June also saw the school's annual Music tour. For most of the Octaves, it was our last music tour, so we made the most of it, performed well and had a great time.
Term three saw the recruitment of some enthusiastic new members ready to learn new songs for the Senior Prizegiving. Hopefully, this enthusiasm will keep up through to next year as it will be needed to keep up the high standards Octaves have always achieved.
Many thanks to our director, Mrs Jean Cumming, who has been a great help this year. We wish the new Octaves the best of luck for next year.
Members: Lyndal McKinnon, Melody Pilgrim, Allanah Milne, Helena Nimmo, Sarah Kelcher, Mary Jordan-Smith, Elizbeth Beaumont, Olivia Day, Bridget McNeil, Bic Runga.
Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
1993 has been a productive year for Perfect Cadence and its thirty-five members who range from third to seventh formers. Perfect Cadence has a practice every Thursday after school for one-and-a-half to two hours when Mr. Thin has, on occasion, been known to sing a different verse to everyone else (unknown to himself). During the second term we had many extra practices for the Secondary Schools' Choral Festival, at which we performed.
We have sung in Assembly several times. The style of music we sing varies from Mozart to the blues, as well as spoken pieces. Our best attribute is Gary Lim, our accompanist, and his wonderful fingers. Perfect Cadence is one of the best music groups to be in from our school.
Alissa Smith and Vaughan Hider, Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
Music tour camp concert. Over one hundred students and teachers were treated, to show that made Man power and Ladies' Night looking like Play School. The act that caused so much attention and excitement was none other than Barbershop. "Barbershop?" I hear you ask. Yes, Barbershop. Not only did this group of eight gorgeous, talented singers impress at the camp concert, they performed very well on the whole tour--getting great response from the audience. It doesn't end there, however. The Barbershop quartet performed commendably, singing their way to second place in the regional high schools' competition.
Behind every good Barbershop there is a great conductor and musical director, as the well known saying goes, and our music was directed to perfection by David Hall. Mr. David Hall as he is more commonly known) is unfortunately leaving us it the end of this year and will be sorely missed by the music department. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of the Barbershop for all the great work you have lone, and wish you all the best for the future.
Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
The Concert Band has performed three times this year as well as going on the Music Tour. We practise regularly every Thursday and have a high level of performing ability. We also have a wide range of pieces we can perform when needed. We would like to thank Mrs. Bishop.
Michelle Walker, Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
Orchestra 1 is the main performing orchestra at Cashmere High School. It contains about forty people, including strings, brass, woodwind and percussion players, as well as a pianist. It performs at many of the major Cashmere High School concerts and goes
music tour. Its conductor is Mr. Thin and it rehearses on Tuesday lunchtime and after school on Tuesday.
Thor Russell, Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
Orchestra 2has played pieces such as Beethoven's Symphony #5 and Gymnopodic, and we are now concentrating on Christmas Carols to perform at the elderly people's concert near the end of the year. We also hope to perform at the Junior Prize-giving.
Kelly Eden, Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
Orchestra 3 is taken by two fourth form students, Kelly Eden and Emma McGrann. It has been an interesting experience for all involved. The purpose of orchestra 3, which was set up at the beginning of the third term, is to train people who are learning a new instrument ready for orchestra 2. Orchestra 3 is basically a new group and is coming together reasonably well. So far, our main problems have been getting people to play in time and together. Most people have been playing their instrument since the beginning of the year but some have only been learning since the beginning of the term. Some have hardly any knowledge of music. We haven't performed so far and we probably won't before the end of the year--maybe next year.
Emma McGrann, Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
The percussion ensemble has had a quiet year, but with some highlights. Music Tour was highlighted with the piece Crispy Critters, an oral percussion piece. The Senior prizegiving coming up soon is another occasion for a performance which we will play on percussion instruments!!! Special thanks to Mr. Brett Painter for teaching us, painstakingly taking us through our pieces and motivating us. Thanks to also Mr. Thin.
Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
Junior Choir meets once a week for lunch followed by a practice. The highlight of the year was definitely the Music. Tour, a great opportunity for regular singing practise. We
look forward to more opportunities to sing, for example, visiting old people's homes, and the Cholmondly Garden Fete at Governors Bay.
Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
This year, the Brass Band has about twenty members who come to practice regularly. We practise on Friday at 7.45 pm and lunchtime, and have played in assembly a few times this year. The band consists of trombrones, trumpets, comets, tenor horn, euphoniums, percussion and sometimes a tuba. Mr Gallaher, our brass teacher conducts the morning practice, but at the lunchtime practice he plays the tuba while Mr Thin conducts. The range of music we play varies from classical to modern.
Ben Hawes, Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
The stage band is one of the more popular bands in school. We play all styles of jazz from Be-bop to Blues. A wide variety of instruments are found in the band including trumpets, saxophones and guitars. We play at school fairs and concerts. On Music Tour we were very favourably received, with people getting up and dancing whenever we played. The future of the stage band looks secure, thanks to the outstanding efforts of Mr Garry Thin and Stu Buchanan.
Michael McGoown, Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
Three groups from Cashmere entered in the Westpac School Chamber Music Competition: The Pleyel Player (Wendy Cotter, Rowena Brown and Rachael Gorton), the Cashmere Trio (Gary Lim, Thor Russell and Helen Lever) and Just Flutes (Nadia Elsaka, Maija Lusher, Kathryn Pascoe, Naomi White, Ellie Cox, Jenny Jacobs, Michaela Scott and Sarah Powell). With a very high standard this year, we were pleased that all three were named in the Commended list. As well, two Cashmere students, Thor Russel and Helen Lever, were involvei in other groups which were Highly Commended. The judge particularly praised Rowena Brown's bassoon playing, and Thor Russell's flute playing.
Ms. Lever, Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
The Chamber Orchestra meets once a week under the leadership of Miss Ellen Doyle, an itinerant music specialist stringed instruments and chamber music. We have had an enjoyable year preparing a selection of classical pieces from the Old Masters, Kuchler, Bach and Tartini. These will be presented at end-of-year concerts.
Subtle Undertones, Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
Subtle Undertones is a group of seven fourth form students who got together at the end of mid-term. We have performed at the Scottish Society Hall and gained second place in the Polbock Cup in the Cashmere High music competitions. Although we are a small we have loads of potential, and fun is our middle name. Subtle Undertones are: o Ben Hawes, Christina Shields, Kate Divett Penny Lever, Adrian Palmer, Emma McGowan. Thank you Mrs. Bishop for all your time, help, organisation and encouragement.
Kate and Christi, Lymphad, Cashmere High School, 1993
The year started well with the return of the school's pipe organ after a full
restoration at the South Island Organ Company‘s workshop in Timaru. Once
again the Hall and assemblies resound to the full sound of boys singing
accompanied by the organ. As well as restoration, the organ now has a state
of the art computer sequencing unit, or "black box" which extends the
instrument‘s capabilities for the school‘s organists as well as visiting
musicians.
Almost a year has passed since we moved into the Junior High block, and
while we still await the completion of the remaining practice rooms, the
facilities have proven most suitable.
Rock bands continue to prosper with Richard Bailey, James Butcher and
Thomas Melton competing in the Rockquest in Dunedin.
Our chamber trio consisting of Hamish Elliot, Matthew Slater and Shelley
Johnston, competed in the Westpac Chamber Music competition and
performed to a high standard.
Both the rock group and the chamber trio have been in demand performing at
various venues around Oamaru.
The Scrano Choir and Drama evening was once again a great success with
students performing to a packed auditorium. Forrester proved to be the most
successful, winning both the choir and drama sections. Thanks must go to
the staff who for the first time as a group, judged the evening.
The combined Jazz Band continues to grow in strength and numbers, successfully performing at both school assemblies and the Girls‘ High prizegiving. The Oamaru Youth Orchestra which draws students from all three high schools has had both a busy and successful year. From a workshop at Burnside Homestead in Term One to concerts at Waitaki Girls', to schools
recitals to the Boys‘ High prizegiving, it has been a most busy time. Two welcome additions to the instrument stock were the large bass drum and a bass clarinet which allows us to perform a wider variety of music.
Members of both the Jazz Band and Youth Orchestra travelled to Dunedin in early September to the annual Otago Secondary Schools‘ Music Festival, accompanied by a small number involved in the school choir. This band of enthusiastic singers have rehearsed most Tuesday lunch hours and should be heard from in the early part of the new year.
Our Itinerant teachers are fully laden with students this year, and most have a waiting list for lessons. We welcome Ms Michelle Reed to teach drums this year so we can now offer lessons in almost all instrumental areas.
All in all, a busy and successful year for musicians at Waitaki.
Steven Hinds, The Waitakian, 1997
