Hero photograph
Jazz Band Performs in Christchurch
 
Photo by Paul Denys

Music department HOD report

John Dodd —

The Music Department has been humming all year, and there are far too many examples of wonderful music making, composition and activity to mention here.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team of teachers who bring so much expertise and enthusiasm to the department. Hana Fahy’s energy and skill is so much appreciated by me, and a great asset to the department. Two new itinerant teachers have made a sizeable contribution in 2015; Jo Brusse (cello) and Anna Bowen (violin). Thanks also to Andy Parsons and Leo LaDell (guitars), Nick Cornish (woodwind), Sara Brown (piano and voice), Paul McLennan-Kissel (drums), and William Henderson (brass). Big accolades also go to music prefect Hanna Ott for all of her effort and commitment over the last year.

In March we held a celebratory concert to honour Calder Prescott, who retired from his post as conductor of the school jazz band after 33 years of service. When he started at LPHS, he and then HOD Netta Wylie were establishing the first high school jazz band in the country. Over the ensuing years, under Calder’s direction the band has won numerous awards including several in Australia, and undertaken many trips away. The band has also produced many players who have gone on to successful professional and semi-professional careers in performance. Thank you Calder for all that you have done for Music at LPHS.

Also in March we held the third annual weekend music camp at Tirahonga. It continues to be a great success as a fun social time for our students, but also an opportunity for the choir, jazz band and orchestra to get a kick start for the year. Big thanks to parent Kristen Gillespie and the other helpers who put so much energy and time into making the kitchen happen. We are booked in for March 11-13 in 2016.

This year Hana Fahy decided to begin a new choir as a result of student demand, with the emphasis being on producing a balanced ensemble and extending some of our more skilled singers. The results were showcased beautifully when this choir sang at the senior prize-giving.

My personal highlight of the year was travelling with the jazz band to Christchurch to compete in the CPIT Jazz Competition. This group of students made the journey so much fun and they put their heart and soul into some wonderful music making.

We are on the move. As many of you will know, the space that has been the school library will now become the Music department and we are very excited about the design and potential of this new area. It’s going to be a big 2016!