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The purpose of our school Music groups is to provide students with:
At Hamilton Girls High School the following music groups are on offer:
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.
Our orchestra, Bella Sinfonia, is an all-comers group made up of Year 9-13 students.
Students should be playing at approximately a Grade 3 level or above. Students practise weekly on Thursdays after school (from 3.25 – 4.30pm), and Friday mornings before school (7.45 – 8.40am), 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.
Calling all new voices! We want all singers new or old, loud or soft to join our fresh Mana Wahine.
Discover your voice and develop your vocal skills, whilst singing a variety of fun songs in harmony. We welcome 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 8.10am so bring your friends and your breakfast and start your day with song. We work towards competitions, events and various school performances.
Fee for Choir is $30 per year which includes music and entry into 1 x regional competition.
Uptown Girls is an auditioned 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.
Students practise on Monday at lunchtime and work towards competitions, events and various school performances. Fee for Barbershop is $50 per year which includes music, uniform components, and entry into 1 x regional competition.
This does not include entry to national level competitions or any transport required. Nationals are held in Wellington in 2025. Please allow approximately $500 for this trip should the chorus qualify.
Barbershop Quartets are auditioned groups and develop from the Barbershop Chorus.
Quartets work towards competitions, events and various school performances.
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.
Guitar group 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.
Fee for Guitar Group 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.