In 2022, the CGBHS orchestra had another great year under the baton of Mr Langdon, with orchestra leader Kate Gardiner.

The first performance we did in the year was at a school music concert in early Term 2, playing a couple of pieces, including Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture. In May we also played for potential future CGHS students at this year’s Open Day. Then, in the first week of Term 3, we went on a trip around 4 local intermediates, to help promote music at CGHS (and CBHS). We played a pop medley of some favourites (Driver’s License, Dynamite, Levitating…), that had not only students, but some teachers singing along! We also showed the students the instruments of the orchestra, and let a lucky few have a go at standing up and conducting, or playing percussion. Fortunately, just a few days before lockdown, the orchestra got to perform at the CSO Big Play Out, at the Christchurch Town Hall. We played the Academic Festival Overture, and Bruch’s Violin Concerto No.1 (with soloist Charlotte Cotton), and many of us also played in the big massed orchestra with hundreds of other school students!