A busy start to the year as always with rehearsals getting underway, camps, and already some amazing personal successes

We started the year by receiving the exciting news that Chloe Chan, Year 12 SMP student, was the country's top achiever in Cambridge iGCSE Music in the first year that we have offered this course at Burnside. Chloe was invited to a special awards ceremony in Auckland where she collected her certificate and also entertained the large audience with a performance of Beethoven's Spring Sonata on violin. Congratulations Chloe!

More great news... alumni Emica Taylor (SMP Flute), Stephen Mosa'ati (SMP Trumpet) and Lewis Grey (SMP Trumpet), having completed their undergraduate music studies at the NZSM in Wellington, all received full scholarships to pursue masters level study at the Australian National Academy of Music in Melbourne. Thanks to Emica for thinking of taking the special photo of the three of them as they begin this exciting next phase.

The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra held its auditions for their 2024 interns. This is a very special opportunity where a small number, drawn from the city's very top young musicians, get the chance to sit in on CSO rehearsals, take lessons with CSO principal players and even play a professional engagement with the orchestra. These positions are hotly contested and highly sought after so our congratulations go to Cam Smillie (SMP Percussion) and Tor Chiles (SMP Bassoon) on their selection.

Congratulations too to Richard Yeoh, Tor Chiles and Caspar Adams who have been selected for membership of the NZSO national Youth Orchestra.

The Orchestra, Big Band and Symphonic Band enjoyed their annual camp at Living Springs, presenting a fantastic concert for parents and friends on Sunday afternoon.

We look forward to a busy and successful Term 2 - enjoy the holidays everyone.