Music 2021
At Aquinas our aim is to be the best we can be. We offer many opportunities for students to be involved in music both in and out of the classroom to nurture their uniqueness as musicians.
Our extra-curricular programme calendar for 2021 is looking very exciting and planning is well underway. The following opportunities are available for your son/daughter:
VOCI CELESTI CHOIR
Our premier choir had time to develop their skills in 2020 and are in a good place for our annual participation in The Big Sing and other concerts. The Big Sing takes place on the 17 June at Holy Trinity Church in Tauranga (entry fee for this is $9.50 per student which is included in the fee below).
Rehearsals are Tuesday after school from 3:30pm – 5:00pm. First rehearsal will be on 9 February. We welcome new members. To audition, see Mrs Cooney for details or contact lcooney@aquinas.school.nz
This year we will be providing an accompanist and workshops will be held with choral clinicians to help with all choral activities throughout the year. To enable these services to be provided and new music to be purchased there will be a fee charged to each choir member on their school account for the year.
For the ladies we also have a professional seamstress who carries out alterations for our choir skirts. There is an initial fee charged when skirts are first issued. Existing choristers already have their skirts.
Vocal lessons will be available with Mrs Blake on Fridays. There are a limited number of spaces available so these will be on a first in first served basis. Priority will be given to those studying Music as a subject, doing NCEA Assessments, with Voice as their instrument. Students who have had lessons with Mrs Blake in previous years have found that it has proved very successful with their vocal development. There will be a fee charged for these lessons. Please contact Glenese Blake glenese@themusicshed.co.nz for more details.
AQUINAS COLLEGE BIG BAND
The Big Band will be performing in Term 1 at the National Jazz Festival, held in Tauranga in the week leading up to Easter – Youth Band competition dates are 31 March and 1 April. Details re registration / entry to come. Other events include the Waikato Orchestra Band and Orchestra Festival held on 27 August in Hamilton.
AQUINAS COLLEGE ORCHESTRA
The Aquinas College Orchestra had an excellent year last year and is developing well. The final prizegiving performance was outstanding and enjoyed by all, culminating in the ‘Final Countdown’ Y13 procession out. This year we will again be working towards the Orchestra Festival held in Hamilton on 27 August as well as the Music Department Concert and Prizegivings. Players also have the opportunity to attend the Big Music Day out each year in Taupo. Rehearsals are Wednesday lunchtimes.
AQUINAS COLLEGE STRING ENSEMBLE
Our String Ensemble continues to grow under the direction of Lucy Gardiner. Students are developing ensemble skills and technique to enable them ultimately to play in the orchestra. This ensemble rehearses Wednesday Lunchtimes.
AQUINAS COLLEGE LITURGY BAND
The Liturgy Band runs during class time. This band supports the Special Character of Aquinas College through performing at school masses and other liturgies. They also perform at events such as the Music Department concert.
AQUINAS COLLEGE CHAMBER MUSIC
Chamber Music is an option for those working on Group Performance for NCEA or just for fun. See Mrs Cooney for information.
AQUINAS COLLEGE JUNIOR CHOIR
A fun choir for Year 7 and 8 students. This group will be performing at the Tauranga Primary Schools Music Festival and the Kids Sing events later in the year.
PIANO LESSONS
Piano lessons will be offered in 2021 by Kathy Stewart. These will be held on Tuesday mornings. Limited places are available. First in first served, priority will be given to those taking Music as a subject. Please contact Kathy directly on Stew.wilson@xtra.co.nz for information on lessons. You will need an instrument to practice on.
OUT OF HOURS KEYBOARD LESSONS
These are offered on Wednesday and Thursdays after school from 3:30pm – 4:30pm. Lessons are in groups and are FREE to beginner keyboard players at Year 7 and 8. There are 16 places available so please register your interest to avoid missing out on this amazing opportunity. These are taught by Marina Walters.
GUITAR LESSONS
These are offered on Tuesdays with Andrew Upton. Please contact info@uptonelectricguitarschool.co.nz 020 400 78454 for details.
ITINERANT MUSIC LESSONS
To sign up for Music lessons please go to our college website (insert link here)
ROCK BANDS AND JAZZ COMBOS
If interested in forming a band, find some like-minded fellow musicians who have discipline to practice and have a similar taste in music to you and see Mrs Cooney to organise a rehearsal space and time. The annual Smokefreerockquest https://smokefreerockquest.co.nz/ and Bandquest https://bandquest.co.nz/ Competition details can be found on the links to these websites.
If you have any questions regarding anything to do with All Music groups please e-mail me at lcooney@aquinas.school.nz or contact Julie Green (Arts Coordinator) jgreen@aquinas.school.nz
Nga mihi nui
Lynda Cooney
CLASSROOM MUSIC PROGRAMME
Our classroom music programme, based on the NZC sees students involved, from Year 7 – 10 Junior Music and Year 11 – 13 (NCEA Levels 1, 2, 3), in Creating Music, Developing Ideas in Music, Communicating and Interpreting Music through Practical Performance, Appreciating, Listening and Developing their Musical knowledge through understanding music in context.
We offer a comprehensive academic programme as well as practical skills in vocals, ukulele, guitar, keyboard and percussion as part of our classroom music programme.
