NZCT Chamber Music Contest 

Now in its 60th year, the NZCT Chamber Music Contest is the largest and longest running chamber music event of its kind in Aotearoa. This event provides thousands of ākonga, of all proficiency levels, the opportunity to perform together.

Rangi had nine Chamber music groups in the first rounds of the NZCT Chamber Music Contest.  All groups, regardless of their level and experience, prepared professionally and performed with excellence.

At the Canterbury District Finals on Thursday, 13 June, Rangi Ruru groups once again featured heavily in the awards.  Congratulations to the following groups:

Shostos (Chloe Jiang - violin, Elise Tian - cello, Polly Lee - piano)

• Overall Canterbury District Contest Winner, winning the UC School of Music Best Overall Performance Trophy - performing Piano Trio No 1 in C minor, Op 8 by Shostakovich 

Tokyo Stretto (Keina Rollinson, Ivy Liu, Tiantian Chen and Millie Liu, along with Nicolae Didenco from Cashmere High School and Cam Smillie from Burnside High School - all percussionists) and their amazing tutor Jeremy Thin

• Awarded Highly Commended - performing Coybas, by John Psathas

• Winner of the SOUNZ NZ Music Award for the best performance of a New Zealand work

• Winner of the Graham C Johns Percussion Trophy for the best percussion group at the Canterbury District Contest

Blaze Trio (Hayley Jiang - violin, Honor Barry - cello, Anya Fang - piano)

• Awarded Highly Commended - performing Piano Trio No 2 in C minor, Op 66, 1st movement, by Mendelssohn

In addition,  The Forget Me Nots (Claire Kim - flute, Ruby Bentley - clarinet, Cheryl Cheng - piano) was awarded the KBB Music Award for a group containing any combination of Woodwind, Brass and Percussion.

Shostos, Tokyo Stretto and Blaze Trio all made it through to the Southern Regional Finals on Saturday, 22 June, performing once again with distinction. 

A massive congratulations to Shostos, deserving winners on the night, who are now one of eight groups selected for the National Finals, held in Wellington in August. Fantastic news on your selection to this prestigious event!

We are so very proud of you all!

Resolutions Big Sing Finale

Resolutions has been selected as one of 24 choirs nationally for the New Zealand Choral Federation's Big Sing National Finale, the only choir from Christchurch to do so.  This event is in Wellington during August.

The New Zealand Choral Federation Big Sing has been an integral part of Aotearoa's high school musical culture for over 30 years, involving around 8000 students from more than 200 schools each year.

Huge congratulations to the 25 students and director Helen Charlton for being selected for this prestigious event.  A wonderful achievement of which we are very proud!

Spectrum - Wednesday, 3 July, 6:30-7:40pm, Merivale Lane Theatre

On Wednesday, 3 July, the Rangi Ruru Percussion Ensembles and Rock Bands will be presenting ‘Spectrum’, for whānau and friends. The groups involved are our two Wednesday/Thursday morning Percussion Ensembles, three rock bands (Liquid Skyline, Tax Return, Patchwork) and Elle Partridge performing solo. The event will be hosted by Year 13 student, Lotte Giesen.

Whānau and friends are warmly invited - admission is free and bookings are not required. The doors to the Merivale Lane Theatre will be open to the audience from 6:15pm.

Christchurch Schools' Music Festival Representative Groups

Congratulations to the following Years 7 and 8 students who successfully auditioned for representative groups in the Christchurch Schools' Music Festival.

Senior Choir: 
Amelia Thomas-Wright (Year 7)

Orchestra: 
Carina Du - harp (Year 7)
Renee Jiang - violin (Year 7)
Tiffany Li - violin (Year 7)
Lucy Peoples - flute (Year 8)
Donna Qui - viola (Year 7)

Concert Band:
Tiffany Zhang - flute (Year 7)

This is a fantastic achievement, as places in these groups are highly competitive and sought after.  The students will meet with respective groups for intensive rehearsals during Term 3 in preparation for performances in the Christchurch Town Hall in late October.  This festival has been an annual event in Christchurch for over 80 years.

Jazz Band plays at Holly Lea Retirement Village

The Jazz Band, under the expert direction of Lana Law, was delighted to be able to perform for an appreciative audience at the Holly Lea Retirement Village last Friday.  The band entertained the guests with charts such as: Fever, Look of Love, and Blue Lady - with the tunes bringing back happy memories of earlier days for many.  The sun shone (for once!) and it was a most pleasant way to spend a Friday afternoon.

The Jazz Band is preparing for the Southern Youth Jazz Festival in Blenheim in early August at the start of Term 3.

Janet Kingsbury
Director of Music