This term in Music has been incredibly eventful, filled with remarkable achievements. We had 7 bands in Smokefree Rockquest and the Jazz Bands performed exceptionally well at the Otautahi Jazz spectacular and then in the last 2 weeks there have been some amazing performances which I have written about below.

Tangata Beats

On June 10th, "Twin Harmony," consisting of Tane and Aka Pakeha-Heke, showcased their talent in the Duo category of Tangata Beats. Tangata Beats is a nationwide youth event that celebrates and embraces the unique cultural identity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the South Pacific through live, original music performances.

The judges and audience were captivated by their exceptional original song, which delved into the topic of mental health in Aotearoa. Their outstanding performance earned them 1st place in the Regional finals and very positive feedback from the judges who mentioned their unique blending of voices and rich vocal harmonies.

The duo recently finished recording another compelling original composition, which will now be submitted to the judges for consideration to be named in the top among top 8 that will then compete in the National Finals in September.

Their participation in Tangata Beats not only showcases their musical talents but also highlights the importance of providing platforms for young artists to express themselves and amplify their voices. Twin Harmony's success serves as an inspiration to their peers, encouraging them to pursue their passions and use their artistic talents to raise awareness and foster positive change.

On Thursday, June 22nd, the Jazz combo competed in the Jazz Quest competition at Te Pūkenga Jazz School. The ensemble included Ciaran Stewart on Bass, Josh Murray on Drums, Yuito Crosado on Piano, Ryan Scammell on Guitar, and Sarah McCaffery from Avonside Girls High School, on vocals and Saxophone.

Jazz Quest is known for being a very challenging competition where students are required to perform a 20-minute set of advanced Jazz music featuring improvisation solos.

One standout moment was Sarah's impressive scat singing, and Josh also wowed the audience with an amazing Jazz drum solo. The entire band delivered an exceptional performance, displaying remarkable improvisation skills and a deep understanding of Jazz at such young ages.

Their exceptional performance earned them a prestigious Gold award, indicating that they received a score of 85% or higher from the judges. This is an outstanding achievement, especially considering the judges' high standards. It is also the first time in the history of Shirley Boys' High School that such an accomplishment has been achieved. This success marks the realisation of former Head of Music and faculty, Mr. Brad Banks' dream to elevate Jazz within the school.

A special acknowledgement goes to Mrs. Judith Bell and Mr. Malloch for their valuable assistance to the group. Their guidance and support played a significant role in the band's success.

It was truly a memorable day showcasing the talent and high levels of musical achievement at Shirley Boys' High School.

If you would like to see some of the amazing public performances from this term please watch them on Shirley Boys' High School Music Youtube channel.

Here is a link for the playlist. Happy watching!

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8nFQQ4BOorOnHdZ0o0BoXYGgi8yeQIUt

We all look forward to seeing what amazing talents will be showcased inTerm 3.

Jane Herman

Head of Faculty - Performing Arts