The Power and the Joy of Music

There is increasing scientific evidence that music can help heal the body as well as the mind. It engages almost every region of the brain and it also provides succour for the soul. Plato summed it up with this: “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” And from music aficionado, Keith Richards: “Music is a language that doesn’t speak in particular words. It speaks in emotions, and if it’s in the bones, it’s in the bones.”

Both quotes sum up many of the feelings we get to experience as a result of the extraordinary range and beauty of musical talent that we are fortunate to be exposed to at Rangi. Most Fridays, in Assembly, soloists and groups of both modern and classical singers, musicians and percussionists raise our spirits with their sound. We are transported as they ‘speak’ to our imaginations, to our sense of calm and personal wellbeing. And when we sing with heart as a community, we also share something special.

I have been blown away at performances by our Choirs and Chamber Music groups over the past couple of weeks. The quality and maturity of their performances has been humbling and their enjoyment has been tangible.

Music was also a major component in bringing Year 11 together as a community at their semi-Formal and provided the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company in great surroundings and in a well-supported, stress-free environment.

None of these things would happen without the dedication and work of staff. We are grateful to them. We also thank parents who continue to encourage their daughters and keep them fed, rested, transported and supported through the highs and the lows.

Musical success has been a plenty for us over the past weeks and we are proud of our girls’ efforts and achievements. A special mention must go to the following:

- The Big Sing competition saw strong performances from both Resolutions and Rangi Voices. Resolutions were absolutely delighted to be awarded the Best Performance of an early work at the concert. Resolutions Big Sing performance can be seen here>>

- We had nine Rangi Chamber Music groups who took part in the NZCT Chamber Music Contest recently. Around 60 groups competed in the Christchurch District Rounds and Rangi had two groups recalled to the District Finals on Friday evening. In this contest, there are only eight groups selected to perform in the district finals; being selected for this is quite an achievement.

Our girls came back with some outstanding results which were:

Christchurch District Contest Overall winner, and winner of the UC School of Music Trophy for the Best Overall Performance

Szerenád Trió (Sarah Lawrence, Emily Davey – violins, Victoria Park – viola)

This is the fifth year in a row that Rangi has won this trophy.

Highly Commended, and winner of a KBB Award for a group containing Woodwind

Three in a Bar (Pippa Lange – flute, Amy Clough – oboe, Victoria Park – piano)

A special award, the Adjudicators’ Choice Award went to Anton’s Minions (Ella Chen, Pippa Anderson – violins, Juliet Park – viola).

Szerenád Trió and Three in a Bar have made it through to the South Island Finals, to be held in Christchurch this Sunday June 23rd. We wish them the best of luck!

- The following Years 7 and 8 girls successfully auditioned for the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival Representative Groups:

Orchestra:

Libby Beasley - Clarinet

Clare Flatman, Polly Lee andMiu Terakawa-Kim - Violin

Anna Wyn-Harris Flute

Senior Choir:

Polly Lee

Evelyn Price

The Festival will be back in the Town Hall this year when our Year7s sing in the massed choir.

- We also had the Independent Schools' Encore Choral Festival at Christ’s College in which Rangi Voices took part. This comprised of a morning of workshops for Year 7-10 choirs from Christchurch Independent Schools, followed by an evening which featured an item by each choir, and three combined items. Rangi Voices gave fantastic performances and really enjoyed being a part of this new initiative.

I would like to congratulate all of these girls, and their teachers, for their outstanding efforts recently. We are very proud of Music at Rangi Ruru and look forward to more exciting musical news throughout the year.