After an 18-month journey of extensive fundraising and ensemble preparations, the 国产麻豆精品 Concert Band, Jazz Band and Orchestra made their mark at the KBB Music Festival in Auckland, Parnell.
KBB Music Festival
The Holy Cathedral and St Mary鈥檚 Church were two glorious venues to perform in and made the festival occasion an exceptional experience for the students.
Capped at 147 Groups competing in 2024 (its largest to date), this event has some significant traction over its 40+ year history as the premier secondary school music contest in New Zealand. Jazz, Concert, Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra sessions were held over the whole week from Monday 12 August, culminating in two gala concerts and award ceremonies on the Saturday afternoon and evening.
Concert Band
The Concert Band performed a circus-themed set including many props and a cameo ringmaster speech from Year 12 student, Malachi Ng. Their first item 鈥淏e a Clown鈥� dazzled the audience with trombone section, Millie MacBrayne and Bailey Main, playing stylish glissandos. As a featured solo item, the band chose to play a trumpet 鈥榮ection feature,鈥� 鈥淏ugler鈥檚 Holiday鈥� by Leroy Anderson which saw Pearl Heke, Emma Wilson, Malachi Ng, Fintan Batt and Ava Harley pop on some buglers hats and play a virtuoso number. The programme had everything from clowns to human canon balls and took the audience on a captivating journey. The iconic 鈥淭his is Me鈥� from The Greatest Showman really topped-off the theme with Miss MacKenzie adorning a hat and tails in true 鈥楬ugh Jackman鈥� fashion.
Jazz Band
The Jazz Band performed in a smaller intimate venue which created the ideal atmosphere for the genre. Some impressive and technically proficient solos were played by Joe Gavin (Guitar), Mattie Laing (Alto Sax), Sam Turner (Tenor Sax), Koko Sugikwaka (Baritone Sax), Ash Gundry (Drum Kit), Pearl Heke (Trumpet) and Molly Sussex (Bass). Vocal soloist Isabella Fuller performed two numbers with the group; 鈥淐ry me a river鈥� and 鈥淭ake the A鈥� Train.鈥� Her sultry tone was stylistically perfect for the set and complimented by the full ensemble snazzy 鈥榟its.鈥�
Honours Orchestra
A 120-piece orchestra adorned the stage on Friday night to rehearse and present a concert of two movements from the Planets suite by Gustav Holst; 鈥淰别苍耻蝉鈥� and 鈥淢补谤蝉.鈥� Amongst this collaboration of students from across the spectrum of schools competing in KBB, was our very own Morgan Barak (Oboe), Millie MacBrayne (Violin) and Pearl Heke (Trumpet). As this was an elite orchestra, it was limited to only those who were Grade 6 or above standard. The opportunity to perform amongst such a vibrant collection of students, added much to the overall spirit of the festival and the collective level of experience gave for a thrilling concert. Our students enjoyed making connections through their shared love of music-making.
Orchestra
Head of Arts Mr Gerritsen took to the stage on the Friday with our Orchestra. Although small in numbers, this ensemble was impressively balanced, in-tune and cohesive. The big finale of this session included a 鈥榩lay-in鈥� component, in which all the schools combined to play 鈥淐补迟补肠濒测蝉尘鈥� by Robert Sheldon, led by one of the chief adjudicators. Our students all soaked up all the mentoring and enjoyed the camaraderie of working with a variety of schools.
Gala and Results
The level of talent on display at the two gala concerts were of professional quality and gave much inspiration for our ensembles moving forward to the next big goal and challenge. Results come in categories of: Commended, Highly Commended, Bronze, Silver and Gold. Our ensembles were delighted to receive Bronze across the board in our results, and to gain valuable expert feedback from the judges. We are all left buzzing with motivation having seen the premier Auckland schools on show and we look forward to the continued growth of our music programmes here.
By Kay MacKenzie