College Middle School Music Showcase

With thanks to Head of Music, Miss Mary Lin

The College Middle School Music Showcase is a highlight for our younger musicians in Years 7-10, giving them an opportunity to share their learning and talents with friends and family. This year, the focus was moved from solo items to feature our ‘feeder’ ensembles, with more than 140 students involved as they prepare for the upcoming KBB Music Festival in August. As guests arrived, they had the chance to view a display of artwork from our Year 12 Visual Arts students.

The College No. 2 Pipes and Drums opened the evening in rousing style playing four traditional pieces – ‘Corriechoillie’s 43rd Welcome,’ ‘Teribus,’ ‘Highland Cathedral’ and ‘The Barnyards of Delgaty.’ The second band has welcomed new members this year to continue Saint Kentigern’s Scottish tradition, as many of the last year’s younger pipers and drummers have now graduated into the premier band, The Pipes and Drums of Saint Kentigern.

This was followed by the Symphonic Band, directed by Mr Matt Baker and Mr Tom Chester. The energetic ‘Fanfare’ was contrasted by the shifting mood of ‘Abracadra’ and the calming ‘Dreamsong,’ before finishing with the audience-pleasing sea-shanty, ‘Wellerman.’

The String Ensemble, directed by Ms Miranda Hutton, opened their set with the beautiful ‘Barcarolle’ before continuing with the ‘Brandenburg Concerto.’ ‘Fantasia’ followed, along with the very well-rehearsed ‘Pomp and Circumstance.’

The stage was then cleared for the final two acts. The Saint Kentigern Piano Trio performed an enigmatic and powerful piece of Jewish-influenced work, ’Der Dybbuk Doina’ Movement 1&2, by New Zealand composer, Carvin Knowles, The Stage Band, directed by Paul Norman, completed the evening in toe-tapping style with ‘Satin Doll,’ ‘Night Train’ and ‘It don’t mean a thing, if you ain’t got that swing.’

Our thanks to Year 13 musicians Jude Beullens and Masha Pavlenko, who took on the role of MCs for the night. They are both outstanding and long-serving members of the Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Chamber Groups and Production Bands. They have both achieved success with regional and national orchestra and concert band programmes while juggling their high achieving academic and sporting programme with music.

The growth in the music programme in the Middle School in recent years has been significant. This is due to the combined effort from the team of music teachers, tutors and ensemble directors from the Boys’ School, Girls’ School and the College, to create a seamless progression between the schools and offer the best playing experience possible.

Since 2019, our String Ensemble and Symphonic Band have doubled in numbers, and the ensembles have graduated from ‘pop song arrangements’ to ‘competitive repertoires’ that highlight sectional strength and talented soloists. 

The Middle School Music curriculum revamp over the last two years has resulted in a greater number of students selecting the Arts music option in Years 8-10. We have maximised our teaching and learning space in the Music Centre, and carefully organise rooming to ensure the ever-growing number private music lessons in the upstairs studios can be accommodated as well.

We are looking forward to the future development of a new Performing Arts Centre on campus and the opportunities this will bring to collaborate more closely with the dance and drama programmes. But in the meantime, the Music Programme at the College is clearly in great heart!

We now look forward to the Large Ensemble Showcase next Thursday, 8 July at 6.30pm in Elliot Hall where they will share their repertoire for the upcoming Auckland KBB Music Festival.