Music Groups

OUR PURPOSE

The purpose of our school Music groups is to provide students with:

  • Performance opportunities
  • Opportunities to grow technique and skills
  • The chance to be part of a team
  • Competition at a regional and national level when possible
  • Socialisation with like-minded students

At Hamilton Girls High School the following music groups are on offer:

  • Choir – Mana Wahine (all comers)
  • Barbershop Chorus –
  • The Uptown Girls (auditioned)
  • Barbershop Quartets (auditioned)
  • Orchestra – Bella
  • Sinfonia (open entry, playing level should be approximately Grade 3 and above)
  • Jazz Combo (auditioned)
  • Samba Band (all comers)
  • Wind Ensemble (all comers)
  • Guitar Group -The
  • Rolling Tones (all comers)
  • Rock Band (various groups formed for RockQuest)
  • Itinerant Lessons in a variety of instruments

Please note, any student who does not uphold our values of respect, participation, and pride through their lack of commitment may be removed from the programme.

ORCHESTRA
BELLA SINFONIA

Our orchestra, Bella Sinfonia, is an all-comers group made up of Year 9-13 students.

Bella Sinfonia is conducted by a leading orchestral expert, and performs a range of repertoire ranging from classical favourites through to film scores, movie music, and pop hits. Students should be playing at approximately a Grade 3 level or above. Students practise weekly on Thursdays after school (from 3.25-4.30), and Friday mornings before school (7.45-8.45), and work towards competitions, events and various school performances.

The fee for Bella Sinfonia is $50 per year which includes the provision of sheet music, a performance uniform, and entry into 1 x regional competition. Please note this does not include transport.

Contacts

TIC: Mrs Victoria Trenwith
[email protected]

Music Prefect: Kassy Cao
[email protected]

Student Leader: Pearl Tarai[email protected]

VOCAL GROUP
MANA WAHINE

Calling all new voices! We want all singers new or old, loud or soft to join our fresh 2024 Mana Wahine.

Discover your voice and develop your vocal skills, whilst singing a variety of fun songs in harmony. Our experienced vocal director welcomes all students learning singing through the school itinerant scheme and anyone looking for a fun vocal experience.

Mana Wahine practises weekly on Wednesday mornings before school at 8.10 so bring your friends and your breakfast, and start your day with song. We work towards competitions, events and various school performances.

The fee for Choir is $25 per year which includes music and entry into 1 x regional competition.

Contacts

TIC: Ms Jane Martin
[email protected]

Music Prefect: Kassy Cao
[email protected]

BARBERSHOP CHORUS
UPTOWN GIRLS

Uptown Girls is an auditioned barbershop group who are the current National Bronze medalists.

HGHS has a strong history of success in the Barbershop YSIH National competition, excelling in both Chorus and Quartet contests. Barbershop harmony is unaccompanied singing in four parts, and as a member of the chorus you will learn essential skills to perform within this style.

Coached by a barbershop expert, students practise twice weekly on Monday and Friday lunchtimes and work towards competitions, events and various school performances.

The fee for Barbershop is $25 per year which includes music and entry into 1 x regional competition. This does not include entry to national level competitions or any transport required.

BARBERSHOP QUARTETS

Barbershop Quartets are auditioned groups and develop from the Barbershop Chorus.

Students practise twice weekly on Mondays and Friday lunchtimes and work towards competitions, events and various school performances.
The fee for participation in a Barbershop quartet is $25 per year which includes music and entry into 1 x regional competition. This does not include entry to national level competitions or any transport required.

Contacts

TIC: Mrs Jane Martin
[email protected] 

Music Prefect: Kassy Cao
[email protected]

GUITAR GROUP
THE ROLLING TONES

The Rolling Tones is an all – comers group made up of Year 9-13 students. Students who learn guitar through the school itinerant scheme are encouraged to participate in this group.

Students practise weekly on Wednesdays and work towards competitions, events and various school performances.

The fee for The Rolling Tones is $20 per year which includes music and entry into 1 x regional competition. This does not include entry to National level competitions or any transport required.

Contacts

TIC: Mr Mike van Anker
[email protected]

Music Prefect: Kassy Cao
[email protected]

ROCK BANDS: (Rockquest/Tangata Beats)

Small bands are formed under the guidance of the TIC.
Students who learn guitar through the school itinerant scheme are expected to participate in this or the Guitar Group.

Rehearsals are held weekly on Monday & Friday lunch-times in J2 (band dependent) and work towards Smokefree Rockquest/Tangata Beats, along with other local events and school performance opportunities.

Contacts

TIC: Mr Hamish Berkers
[email protected]

Music Prefect: Kassy Cao
[email protected]

JAZZ COMBO

Our Jazz Combo is an auditioned group made up of Year 9-13 students.

Students are coached by a leading NZ Jazz expert and practise weekly on Mondays, working towards competitions, events and various school performances.

The fee for Jazz Combo is $20 per year which includes music and entry into 1 x regional competition. Please note this does not include transport.

Contacts

TIC: Paul Norman
[email protected]

Music Prefect: Kassy Cao
[email protected]

SAMBA BAND

This is an all-comers group with expert tutoring.

The band rehearses for percussion competitions such as the University Waikato Band and Orchestra Festival. This group is open to all students who can demonstrate commitment, rhythm and who want to have some fun with other musicians.

Contacts

TIC: Mr Martin Kroon
[email protected]

Music Prefect: Kassy Cao
[email protected]

 

WIND ENSEMBLE

Our Wind Ensemble is an all-comers group made up of Year 9-13 students.

Students practise Mondays and work towards competitions, events and various school performances.

The fee for Wind Ensemble is $20 per year which includes music and entry into 1 x regional competition. Please note this does not include transport.

Contacts

TIC: Paul Norman
[email protected]

Music Prefect: Kassy Cao
[email protected]

JAZZ COMBO

Our Jazz Combo is an auditioned group made up of Year 9-13 students.

Students are coached by a leading NZ Jazz expert and practise weekly on Mondays, working towards competitions, events and various school performances.

The fee for Jazz Combo is $20 per year which includes music and entry into 1 x regional competition. Please note this does not include transport.

Contacts

TIC: Mr Paul Norman
[email protected]

Music Prefect: Kassy Cao
[email protected]

Commitment & Expectations

As part of a music group we can develop skills of cooperation, teamwork and reliability.

It is important that if you are chosen for a group, you commit to the scheduled practices, performances, competitions, and events.

If you are unable to attend a practice due to sickness or another school activity, please communicate this to the teacher in charge or student leader ASAP.

Missing more than 3 scheduled group practices per term may result in the student being removed from the group. In this instance, the fee for the group will not be refunded.

Once a competition or performance date is set, should something else come up AFTER this time, we expect the competition/performance to take priority.

It is preferred that all students provide their own instruments where possible. If this is difficult please communicate this to the TIC as soon as possible.

Group Fees

Our Music groups are fully student funded and we endeavour to keep costs as low as we can. The non – refundable fee for co-curricular music groups varies between groups for the year. This cost covers REGIONAL competition entry fees where appropriate, music, and any uniform requirements. Please note it does not include any travel costs.

Any further costs for NATIONAL competitions such as entry fees, accommodation, travel, are covered at your own expense, and will be communicated in due course.

Fundraising opportunities may be organised in negotiation with the team and Teacher in Charge.