We are celebrating NZ Music Month with two exciting visiting shows, world renowned dance-percussion troupe STOMP and the hugely talented US all-male a cappella singing group, Yale Alley Cats. Festivities will culminate with our annual Combined Concert with brother school Christ’s College.

STOMP for Junior and Middle School
Year 4-10 girls and staff were very fortunate to enjoy a taster performance from this award-winning percussion-dance-comedy troupe in the school auditorium last week. Six performers wowed the girls with their explosively feel-good rhythms using all kinds of implements ranging from matchboxes to brooms. We were lucky to have the opportunity to experience this global phenomenon who sell out world-wide, all to ourselves and free of charge! The girls were thrilled by the energy and skill of the performers and Year 8 girls were especially lucky to take part in a workshop with the performers straight after the show. Thanks to Rachel Wilford for her very clever and cheeky facilitation getting STOMP to us.

Guest director for Chamber Choir
Earlier this week, the Chamber Choir were privileged to have renowned NZ conductor and composer, Tecwyn Evans come and hold a workshop in preparation for their regional performance at the Big Sing. He worked with the choir last year in help for the National Finals in Auckland and agreed to come and help the choir again. Tecwyn has had an extensive career as a conductor in Britain and Europe and has recently been appointed as Director of Music of the Danish National Opera. Originally from Dunedin, he travels to NZ frequently holding conducting workshops at the University of Auckland, and mentors a number of young singers and performers. His wife, a well known Swedish opera singer also sat in on the workshop and gave the girls valuable feedback and then treated us to a beautiful Swedish folksong that made our jaws drop! It was such an unexpected treat!! We thank Tecwyn and Susanna for their time and for giving us their professional expertise.

Visiting drama show for seniors
Students studying NCEA Drama and IB Theatre Arts enjoyed touring show A Country of Two Halves in the Ngaio Marsh Theatre this week. The Young and Hungry Arts Trust is a charitable organisation that was founded in 1994 in association with BATS Theatre and is New Zealand’s leading arts organisation providing mentorship and development opportunities for young people in all facets of professional theatre. The four actors presented extracts from eight New Zealand plays and our senior Drama students were transfixed by the performances which addressed such issues as wealth, race, gender and status.

Yale Alley Cats come to St Margaret’s
Yale Alley Cats are a world-renowned all-men a cappella singing group from Yale University in the USA who have been making music around the world since 1943, including performances for Barack Obama and Queen Elizabeth! This group of 17 young men will present a repertoire ranging from timeless oldies to contemporary chart-toppers in our Charles Luney Auditorium Monday May 28 at 1pm for our whole school to enjoy. The cost of around $2 (depending on attendance for the day) will be charged to your daughter's account.

www.YaleAlleyCats.com

Combined Concert
This year’s combined St Margaret’s-Christ’s College music concert will be held in the Christ’s College Hall May 30 at 7:30pm. Choirs, orchestras, chamber music groups and bands from both schools will perform separately and together for the schools’ communities. All welcome.