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Classical Music

The classical orchestra programme at St Andrew’s College is designed to meet the needs of musicians from Years 1–13.

Under the direction of Mark Hodgkinson, we offer the following orchestral groups in the Secondary School:

Concert Orchestra

The Concert Orchestra is an intermediate ensemble mainly for Year 9–11 students. The players begin to develop their ensemble skills with music chosen to provide all instruments with moments to shine. Click here to watch the Concert Orchestra performing.

Chamber Orchestra

The Chamber Orchestra is for advanced musicians, usually in Years 12–13.  The students perform difficult repertoire. Many of these musicians are chosen as members of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra. Click here to watch the Chamber Orchestra performing.

Symphony Orchestra

For major events in the school year, such as Founder’s Day and the Annual Prizegiving, we combine the Concert and Chamber Orchestras.  This group typically has 60-plus members with a good balance of strings, brass, wind and percussion.  The Symphony Orchestra gives the musicians the experience of playing in a large orchestra, along with all the excitement that entails. Click here to watch the Symphony Orchestra performing.

Chamber Music

Every year St Andrew’s enters six to eight groups in the national Chamber Music Competition. From 2016–2021, St Andrew's College students qualified for the national finals, with our trio "Vich Perfect" winning the competition in 2021.

These groups are for the most advanced classical musicians in the school at both junior and senior levels. Click here to watch the Chamber Music group performing.

 

Successes

During 2021 our musicians had some outstanding results:

  • NZCT Chamber Music National Champions;
  • Grace Lawrence – Concert Master for the NZ Secondary Schools Orchestra and member of the National Youth Orchestra.

 

2020 Successes:

  • eight New Zealand representatives;
  • Debating Top Speaker Award, Winner of the Aotearoa Online Schools Competition, and Winner of the Junior Cup Canterbury Schools;
  • NZ Young Piper of the Year, National Drumming and Piping titles, and Winner of the MacGregor Memorial Piobaireachd
  • 12 Year 13 Gold Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Awards;
  • the Chamber Orchestra placed in the Top 6 at the NZCT Chamber Music Contest;
  • we had a student play alongside in the National Youth Orchestra. 
  • we also had a student sing in the NZSS Choir;
  • our Rock Band won the Rock Quest Canterbury final, and went on to place in the Top 20 NZ Band Winner ZM Best Song and Musicianship Awards.