EDUCATION: RANGITOTO COLLEGE
Amy Wang.
Abi Lee.
Awards Season Awards season at Rangitoto College sees our top-performing academics, athletes, and performing artists honoured for their achievements and hard work throughout 2021. The college prioritises excellence not only in academics, but also in sport and performing arts, and our students are among the top in the nation across all three areas. This issue highlights the success of our top arts and sports winners in what has been a tumultuous year.
Arts Awards Amy Wang.
Our 2021 Performing Artists of the Year receive the Zigliani Cup for Excellence in Performing Arts. This year the prestigious title is awarded to Amy Wang and Abi Lee. Amy Wang is a humble achiever with enormous talent. Passing Amy in the school corridor, you would have no idea of the presence she commands as a musician. Already accomplished on violin and piano, Amy added trombone to her skill set as a junior student, and immediately joined almost every jazz and orchestral group on offer. Amy has thrived in the Music Department with her commitment and pursuit of excellence over the last five years being second-to-none. Amy reached the pinnacle of success in all her co-curricular groups this year, as first trombone in our platinum award-winning Big Band, violin co-section leader in our silver award-winning Orchestra, leader of the first violins in our gold award-winning Chamber Orchestra (also playing a significant role in attaining the Outstanding Soloist Award for the Chamber Orchestra), and finally as the pianist in Trio Noir—one of the top school chamber groups in the country. Abi Lee radiates her love of music. Anyone watching her at the piano will immediately see the joy and pride she exudes while playing, her beaming smile and nimble fingers making it impossible to watch anyone else on stage! Abi plays bass guitar in our silver award-winning Concert Band and Stockholm Jazz Combo and has also played flute in Concert Band in previous years. This year she entered the Smokefree Rockquest as part of a vocal/piano duo, receiving endless compliments from Year 8 parents when the duo performed their original song at the Rangitoto College Information Evening in July. Jazz piano is Abi’s true calling, and she was instrumental in attaining the gold award for Big Band at KBB Music Festival as well as the platinum awards for Big Band and for North Sea Jazz Combo at the Auckland Schools Jazz Competition. Abi also received the Most Outstanding Soloist award at the Auckland Schools Jazz Competition and was selected in the top five finalists nationwide for the New Zealand School of Music Jazz Improvisation Competition. An authentic jazz pianist is a rare gem, and Abi is certainly that.
Abi Lee.
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Issue 126 - December 2021 - January 2022 www.channelmag.co.nz
