Term 2

The Music department now starts to return to a normal routine after a busy round of rehearsals and performances in Term 2. The performance and competition events are prolific during this term and many groups have a full schedule of performances.

MANifesto

The choir is in full preparation for the Regional Big Sing, to be held at the Regent Theatre on Thursday, 19th June. As part of their preparation they have performed at several community events over the last few months. With two members selected for the NZSS Choir and two members selected for the NZ Academy Choir, MANifesto has a good base of expertise to build on. This was further enhanced with a workshop held with Ms Elise Bradley of Auckland. The annual performance as part of Rotary Youth Music Festival took place in the Plaza on Saturday, 24th May, where they performed a selection of choral music outside Muffin Break. Rehearsals are now focused on preparations for the Big Sing Regional competition in June.

STAGE BAND

The Stage Band have already performed for several community performances including the Central Districts Field Days, Relay for Life, Kimbolton Sculpture Festival, and the Manawatū Jazz Club. This year the band full of new young members, travelled to Tauranga in the last week of Term One to participate in the National Youth Jazz Festival. With eleven new members they were very pleased to be awarded a Silver Award. Now the serious competitions have started and continue with the Manawatū Jazz Festival at King’s Birthday weekend, audition filming for the National Young Jazz Band It competition selection and preparing for the annual Roadshow.

SUPER EIGHT CULTURAL FESTIVAL.

Every year the school cultural groups take part in a Cultural Festival with all the Super Eight Boys’ Schools. This year the Music department were represented in the group section by four students in a choral quartet. (Tyler Thompson, Angus Taylor, Armani Whitehead-Wilson, Ben Viljoen). In a very close competition that took an hour to adjudicate, they were placed 2nd equal. Ben Viljoen performed with distinction in a jazz piano piece for the senior solo music section.

ROTARY YOUTH MUSIC FESTIVAL

Saturday, May 24th was the day to be out and about in Palmerston North City as the Rotary Youth Music Festival saw groups from many of the schools in Palmerston North playing in cafes and spaces all over the city. Palmerston North Boys' High School were represented by their elite choir MANifesto, who performed a varied programme outside Muffin Break in the Plaza.

MANAWATŪ JAZZ FESTIVAL - High School Bands

The PNBHS Stage Band will perform in the Big Band section of the Manawatū Jazz Festival to be held on Saturday 31st May at the Globe Theatre. The Stage Band will be looking to continue its run of Best Manawatū Big Band for the 18th year in a row.

CHAMBER MUSIC REGIONALS

The school is represented this year at the NZ Chamber Music regional competition to be held on Thursday, 5th June, by three groups. ‘Saxcidents’, a group of six saxophones performing Canon in D major. ‘It’s a Six String Thing’ a guitar trio playing, Come together, Fly away Home, and Love is Blue. PNBHS String Trio, performing Serenade for Violin, Clarinet, Piano and Three Duets for Violin, Piano, Clarinet.

HAWKES BAY FESTIVAL of BANDS

The Senior Concert Band and PNBHS Stage Band travelled to Lindisfarne College for the annual performance at the Hawkes Bay Festival of Bands. Both bands were awarded Gold Awards and the Stage Band was awarded Best Performance by a School Band. A very successful day out.

BIG SING REGIONALS

The regional Big Sing is to be held at the Regent Theatre on Thursday, 19th June. The school will be well represented with three choirs this year.  The allcomers choir S.O.A.P, and MANifesto, as well as Te Aitanga a Tane, directed by Mr Josh Strickland. At the conclusion of the competition a gala concert will be held in the evening at 7.00pm

 All choirs will compete with choirs from the district's secondary schools to gain a place in the Lower North Island Cadenza or the National Big Sing Finale.

ROCKQUEST Regionals

PNBHS was represented in the regional RockQuest competition by Rock Band ‘Rebellion’ comprising Year 9 and 10 students, and Luke Dallas singing in the solo/duo section which Luke then went on to win. He now has to submit a video for the finals.

New Zealand Representatives

Armani Whitehead-Wilson - NZ Secondary Students Choir

Ben Viljoen - NZ Secondary Students Choir

Tyler Thompson - NZ Academy Choir

Angus Taylor - NZ Academy Choir

Music Department 2025 Dates for your diary

5th June – NZ Chamber Music –5pm, Speirs Centre

19th June – Big Sing Regional Competition – Regent Theatre, S.O.A.P Choir

 MANifesto, Te Aitanga a Tane

8th August – Music Roadshow

19/20th August – School Concert, Speirs Centre 7.30pm