This year, I have had the great pleasure of conducting and being the student leader of the Burnside High School Symphonic Band.

The Symphonic band is an unauditioned band comprising of around 90 members from all year levels playing on wind, brass and percussion instruments. In early April, the band travelled to the annual Living Springs music camp where we played a short programme of music after a weekend full of sectionals, rehearsals and various activities like making towers out of spaghetti. For the remainder of the year we spent our time on working towards the Christchurch Concert Band Festival where we were the only band to win gold. We also received an award for best percussion section. 

Although I haven’t been a member of the band for very long, I can see exactly why we won gold; the dedication every student puts into their work is incredible, as well as the effort from Mr Petch for making the band sound like a true ensemble. I wish the band all the best for the years to come.