Director of Culture, Mr Tim Dent, shares some of the extraordinary achievements of our cultural groups this term.

Big Band Jazz Spectacular

I wish to acknowledge all the students and staff involved in the Big Band Jazz Spectacular concert held at the Hamilton Arts Festival. This concert was undoubtedly one of, if not the highest ever quality music performance from HBHS students. We would like to share some of the feedback received from the CEO and General Manager of the Arts Festival, Mr Geoff Turkington. Thank you so much for being part of this year's Hamilton Arts Festival Toi Ora ki Kirikiriroa and congratulations on what can only be described as a truly stunning concert. I did manage to see a fair bit of it myself and was totally blown away by the extraordinary talent that HBHS incubates. A simply phenomenal standard for a school group. We have received countless messages about the quality of your performance. You should be very proud of your students. A huge thank you to Mr Paul Norman, for without his expertise this show would not have happened. Mr Norman is a jazz specialist with a wealth of knowledge, and not only did he select the music, run the months of rehearsals and conduct the band on the night, he also composed and orchestrated the parts for the string instruments.

National Pipe Band Championships

In March our pipe band students were in Auckland for the 2024 New Zealand National Pipe Band Championships, performing as members of the Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band. Our pipe band students are National champions for 2024, having won all three of their competitions events. A perfect end to the season having won all five pipe band competitions leading up to the National Championships.

New Zealand National Youth Pipe Band

HBHS students Ash van Wering and Ethan Carmichael have both been accepted into the New Zealand National Youth Pipe Band. This is the premier pipe band in New Zealand for pipe band musicians under the age of 23 years old. To be accepted into this group while still at secondary school is a fantastic achievement. The New Zealand National Youth Pipe Band will be touring Canada in July, in addition to New Zealand based concerts. The NZYPB will be performing at the ANZAC ceremony in Wellington for the New Zealand Government. Both of these students were awarded a HBHS New Zealand Honours Cap at the full school celebration assembly for their achievement.

Music Qualifications

Matthew Colvin received a Distinction grade for his ATCL Music Diploma on clarinet and Dylan Connolly also passed his Grade 8 Classical Guitar examination with Distinction.

Debating

Congratulations to the debating students from HBHS who competed at the Waikato regionals debating competition. Our team consisting of Nikash Lanka, Michael Crowther, Conor McCormack and Jonathan Crowther won the tournament. Best speaker was awarded to Nikash Lanka. Most Promising speaker was awarded to Michael Crowther. Michael Crowther has also been accepted into the Waikato Development squad, and two students have made the Waikato Regional Debate Team, who will represent the Waikato at the national debating competition, Nikash Lanka, and reserve, Conor McCormack. 

New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra

Matthew Colvin and Alex Lord have both been accepted into the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra. Both of these students were awarded a HBHS NZ Honours Cap at the full school celebration assembly for their achievement.

Waikato Regional Sheilah Winn Festival

The 17 HBHS Drama students involved in the 2024 Waikato Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival were awarded 1st place and will now represent the Waikato region at the 2024 National Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival in Wellington in June. Thank you to Mr Ashton and Ms Satherley for all the hard work in preparing the students for this event.

National Youth Jazz Festival

The HBHS Big Band and Jazz Combo were both awarded a gold placing in their respective categories at the 46th annual National Youth Jazz Festival in Tauranga. This result occurring consecutively following the National Musicworks Ensemble Festival Platinum award last September, in addition to the success of the recent Big Band Jazz spectacular Concert held as part of the Hamilton Arts Festival, further solidifies HBHS’s position as the premier school for jazz in the Waikato region. While the talent and hard work of the students involved cannot be understated, I must once again acknowledge Mr Norman for his simply exceptional, and nationally renowned musical ensemble direction of the HBHS jazz programme. An additional individual award from the National Youth Jazz Festival in Tauranga, was also won by an HBHS student. Year 11 student Mason Johnstone was awarded the Hill and Wilcock trophy, an award given to the musician selected by the judges as the best drummer of the jazz festival. Mason Johnstone is the first Year 11 student and first ever HBHS student to win this award. An exceptional achievement, resulting from years of dedication to his craft.