The busiest term also included some of our greatest successes:

Contemporary Cafe

Contemporary Cafe was a celebration of year 11 and 12 musicians enrolled in the MUC programme, giving them an opportunity to perform and thrive in a contemporary setting. Earlier this term, Level One and Level Two contemporary music students performed a range of pieces that were prepared and arranged in class for their Group Performance standards. 

While the students were assessed during this performance, they were also eagerly performing to those dining at The Tannery, filling the venue for hours. The aim was to reflect the atmosphere of gigs that they would be aiming for if they pursue a contemporary music career. The day went successfully with a large audience and the students walking away having gained experience and support for one another. 

- Maia Te Whetu 

Christchurch Arts Festival - Like Water

On the 3rd of August, Bel Canto were given the opportunity to sing at the Christchurch Arts Festival with Julia Deans. We performed 9 songs to a sold out Christchurch audience in the James Hay Theatre in the Town Hall. As we don't usually sing a lot of contemporary music, it was a great opportunity for all of us to sing a different style of music with some very talented women. After multiple rehearsals with Julia, we finally got to rehearse with the full band and were able to see things really come together. We are very thankful that we were given the opportunity to sing with Julia and it was a great night that many of us won't forget.  

- Meghan Lewis

Ara Jazz Quest - Ensemble Competition

Our school Big Band, Funk Band and Junior Jazz Ensemble have outdone themselves this year at the annual Ara JazzQuest competition. The Ensemble competition took place on the 3rd and 4th of August, involving about 20 bands and ensembles who each played a short 20 minute set. 

The Junior Jazz Ensemble, made up of students from Year 9 and 10, gained a silver award. This is a great accomplishment for such a young band, and the future of Burnside’s jazz scene looks bright in the hands of these promising players. 

The Burnside Funk Band, which is Mr Hood’s 11-piece band, played songs by the Bee Gees, Tower of Power, Bill Withers and more. 

Big Band, a larger 19-piece band directed by Mr Petch played some New Orleans-style parade music, a funk tune and some vocal features as well with the vocalists Betty Barouni and Rory Humm. 

Funk Band and Big Band not only both achieved Gold awards but also gained Best Ensemble and Best Big Band respectively. This was an amazing overall result for the weekend. Thanks to Mr Petch, Mr Hood, Mr Oswin and all the other teachers who helped out on the day, and well done to all the students who took part and made the school proud.

- Felix Backhouse

Chamber Music

The 2019 NZCT Chamber Music Contest, included workshops with the adjudicators, live performances and memorable experiences. Both Ellalitodva and A Young Man’s Trio went through to the national semi-finals and travelled up to Auckland for an amazing weekend.

We performed in the Bruce Mason Centre on Friday the 2nd of August for the National Semifinals. The theatre’s acoustics made it challenging for us to create a well-balanced sound, and taught us a valuable lesson about playing in different venues.

A Young Man’s Trio (consisting of Emica Taylor, Lily Doak and Tetsuya Yamada) played Malcolm Arnold’s Grand Fantasia, which has many humorous aspects and the group had so much fun playing this piece.

Ellalitodva (consisting of Samantha Chiang, Oscar Chin and Ashley Leng) played the second and third movements of Bartok’s Contrasts, Relaxation and Fast Dance. Contrasts was a technically challenging piece with extended techniques and a variety of speeds, which required many rehearsals to piece together.

- Emica Taylor

Christchurch Wind Festival

Two of our large instrumental ensembles and some smaller groups performed at the Christchurch Wind Festival on August 25th. 

The Junior Concert Band conducted by Dr. Helen Renaud with Lily Doak as student conductor recieved a Bronze Award.

The Symphonic Band conducted by Chris Petch with Polina Shevchuk as the student conductor received the only Gold award given to an ensemble. They also won an award for Best Percussion. 

The Clarinet Trio, Clarinet Quartet, and Saxophone Quartet all received Gold Awards.

Music Showcase Concert

On August 26th the Music Showcase Concert occured in the Transitional Cathedray in the CBD. This was a rare combination of all of the different musical disciplines at Burnside High School, including instrumentalists in the Orchestra, and Ellalitodva, the choirs Bel Canto, Aurora Voices, and Malestrom, vocalists Rory Humm, Harry Burt and Emily Scott, and contemporary music from Molly Mcginn and her band.  

Feedback was very positive about the opportunity to have this variety of musical genres and ensembles in one concert. Many thanks to the respective conductors, teachers and coordinators for their work with each group.

Contemporary Night

Taking place at Papa Hou on September 7th, the Contemporary Night was a chance for the contemporary ensembles and year 13 music students to enjoy performing for friends and family. 

This was Voices Rechoired's first performance for the year, and they performed alongside Funk Band and the level 3 performance students. Thank you to Mr Hood for organising this event.

Barbershop Nationals

The week of September 16th was a busy and highly successful one for the Malestrom boys as they competed in first the Young Singers in Harmony contest on Thursday and then the open Barbershop Harmony Nationals on Saturday. 

Their performance on Thursday saw them come away with the National title for the 4th year in a row in the Young Men in Harmony contest, meaning they got to perform in the Parade of Champions contest that night. 

A quartet made of Malestrom members, Promenade, also did very well on the Thursday, winning the national title their young men's quartet category as well.

Both groups then performed again on Saturday without competing in the open contest against choruses of all ages.

Congratulations to Ravil Atlas for all the work you've put in with the groups this year.

Burnside Voices

Burnside Voices Concert was a new venture coordinated to showcase Burnside choirs and demonstrate their contemporary works.

Hosted by two of our Arts Leaders and members of many of the choirs, the night was a casual and fun celebration in which Voices Rechoired, Bel Canto, Malestrom, The Specialists, Aurora Voices and Junior Performance Choir performed a range of music from Glee’s arrangement of “Forget You” by Celo Green, to Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody” and the folk classic, “Bring Me Little Water, Sylvie”.

This was to showcase what they’d been working so hard on throughout the year as well as in preparation for Burnside’s annual Choral Extravaganza where each choir perform their highlights for the year along with various massed items which will occur on the 24th of October!

Thank you to all students, teachers involved, especially the audience members who came out to support.

- Maia Te Whetu

Orchestral Festival

This year the Burnside High School Orchestra and the Junior Strings Ensemble had the opportunity to be part of the Christchurch Secondary Schools Orchestra Festival 2019. The festival is one of the highlights in the orchestral calendar, an excellent opportunity for students to improve their orchestral skills, and celebrate music within our community. 

This year’s festival was particularly momentous, as the event returned to its former venue, the Christchurch Town Hall, for the first time in many years. The festival kicked off with each ensemble performing some of their repertoire from throughout the year. Afterwards, each group received valuable feedback and suggestions from professional musicians from within our community. 

Later in the week, the Gala Concert was held once again in the Town Hall, each orchestra performing an item. The Burnside High School Orchestra performed Danzon No. 2. By Arturo Márquez. This was an excellent opportunity to hear the progression of other orchestras throughout the year. The highlight of the concert was undoubtedly the final space-themed, massed item, which involved all the orchestras combined, and several musicians from the CSO, including Chief Conductor, Benjamin Northey. 

Playing alongside these professionals provided much inspiration for all the young musicians. The collective sound from the mighty massed orchestra in the wonderful acoustic of the Town Hall was exhilarating for orchestra members and audience alike.  

- Zita Kannangara

Upper South Island Jazz Tour

To conclude the term, a group of 33 Jazz Students, including the Funk Band, Big Band and Jazz Combos have travelled up to Blenheim and Nelson to perform at schools and local venues. While the weather has led to the outdoor Mapua event being cancelled, the rest of the tour seems to be going smoothly. This is a great opportunity for these highly successful bands to perform amongst the thriving Nelson jazz scene, including a night with the Nelson Jazz Club at the Honest Lawyer. Many thanks to Mr Petch, Mr Oswin, Mr Hood, and Dr. Renaud for supporting the students and travelling with them.

Coming Up:

Next term will be quieter as the seniors head towards their exams, however there will be a few more events:

Arts Awards will be on October 22nd in the Aurora Centre

The Choral Extravaganza will take place on October 24th at St Mary's Pro Cathedral

The Christchurch Big Band Festival will be over the weekend of October 25th-28th.

SMP Gala Day will be split across November 2nd and November 9th.

Junior Showcase will be on November 20th.

Best wishes for a relaxing spring break for all the staff and students of the Music Department.

- Charlotte Ensor, Arts Coordinator