This week's update includes news on the recent concert at the Ngaio Marsh Retirement Village and information regarding music lessons in 2017...

Concert at Ngaio Marsh Retirement Village

A group of junior students visited the Ngaio Marsh Retirement Village on Tuesday afternoon with Dr Hawkey and Ms Charlton and entertained the residents with a concert of vocal and instrumental music. A variety of songs was chosen including Shenendoah  and I wanna be like you plus some contemporary pop songs from Zac Bates, Riley Stewart, Matteo Brennan and Sam Mulholland. Jean-Luc Pitcaithly played some perennial favourites on Irish whistle and trumpet, to the delight of the large audience and a final Christmas carol rounded off the performance. A trip to the mall for a preparatory lunch also went down very well with the boys! It was a great experience all round with a note of thanks coming from the residents who were impressed with the music and the politeness of the students.

Music lessons in 2017

It is possible to sign up now for music lessons in 2017, including new students entering the College. Lessons take place on a variety of instruments and take place during school time (same day but different time each week as far as is possible). Some instruments are free of charge while others incur a weekly cost which is paid directly to the music tutor. This year, the costs for each weekly lesson (30 minute, individual lessons) are as follows (there may be a slight increase for 2017):

• Guitar   $30

• Drums   $27

• Piano     $30

• Bass guitar          $27

• Strings/brass/woodwind              Free

If you would like to book lessons or for any enquiries, please email rhawkey@stbedes.school.nz