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MUSIC • PUORO

GIVING STUDENTS A VOICE

One of the most authentic versions of ourselves emerges when we are doing what we love. Discovering this allows us to enjoy life and feel happier with who we are. This is perfectly exemplified by the Rangi Ruru music whānau – a vibrant community bound through a passion for music.

There is something for everyone, with all being welcome and given support during all stages of their musical journey. Students collaborate and learn from each other, developing empathy and respect for their own individual styles and preferences. They have a voice, and through music learn about humanity and the possibility of joy and wonder. Imaginations are developed—vital for individual and social wellbeing as they strive to enhance their own lives and the lives of others.

Our experienced music team ensure our students understand the difference between mere achievement and success in life. Music is what makes us human and can connect us all.

Ka whangaia, ka tupu, ka puawai. That which is nurtured blossoms and grows.

We look forward to welcoming you to our music community.

JANET KINGSBURY Director of Music

SOME RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2024 National Youth Brass Band of New Zealand; National Youth Symphonic Winds One student selected for each

• 2024 NZSO National Youth Orchestra: Four students selected

• 2025 NZ Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra: Nine students selected

• 2024 NZ Secondary Schools’ Brass Band: One student selected

• 2025 Adam Summer School for Chamber Music: Two students selected

• 2024 Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) Mentorships: Two students

• 2025/2026 NZ Secondary Students Choir: One student selected

• 2024 NZ Academy Choir: Two students selected

• Aurora Festival 2024: Gold and Silver Awards; Strings Prize

• 2024 Big Sing National Finale – Silver

• 2024 NZCT Chamber Music Contest: National First Place

• 2024 Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival: Gold Award and category winner

• Workshops and performances with Bryony Gibson-Cornish, Rangi Ruru alumna, Professor of Viola at the Royal College of Music in London, and violist with the internationally acclaimed Marmen Quartet

• Mentoring with well-respected chamber musicians and teachers of national standing.

MUSIC AT RANGI RURU

Music is integrated into the heart of our community at Rangi Ruru, well beyond the confines of the traditional classroom. Students are featured in every facet of school life as soloists and in small and large ensembles— at assemblies, chapel services, student-initiated events, connections with the Rangi Ruru alumnae and wider whānau.

PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES

Our students participate in local and national school-based festivals and events and are frequently invited to feature in a wide range of community events and functions. Through this real-life approach, our musicians gain the skills and dispositions to contribute positively through music to communities they may become involved in beyond school. Student-led performances are supported through the Arts Council and as part of our curriculum programmes.

ACADEMIC ACCOLADES

Studies have shown that students who are involved in extensive musical programmes often excel academically, and we see this in our community. Rangi Ruru is consistently one of the top-performing schools in music in New Zealand. Over the past ten-plus years a high percentage of our top academic award winners, including Dux, Proxime Accessit and senior leadership awards and positions, have been musicians. These students have often forged academic career pathways, including music, through study at top national and international institutions, often becoming leaders in their fields.

As a school, Rangi Ruru strongly supports NCEA as a robust and highly regarded academic qualification, with students consistently achieving at the highest levels they are capable of. These include Outstanding Scholar, Top Scholar, and Premier Scholarship awards, with each category including Rangi Ruru musicians. In music, our students have achieved a very high music scholarship success rate in the last ten years, including several Outstanding and Top Music Scholar Awards.

OUR MUSICAL LEGACY

The continuous cycle of learning, as a result of the legacy of students who have moved on from Rangi Ruru, is an important part of our ethos. The development of younger musicians is fostered through inspiration from senior students, who then move on to make room for the younger ones to move through. Our music alumnae often keep in contact and return to engage in workshops and mentoring with current students.

OUR ALUMNAE

JULIET PARK (2017-2023)

VIOLA STUDENT AT THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC, LONDON

When Juliet started at Rangi Ruru in 2017 as a Year 7 student, she would never have imagined that she would leave at the end of 2023 as Dux, winner of four NZQA Scholarships, including an Outstanding Scholarship in Music, and a successful audition for the prestigious and worldrenowned Royal College of Music (RCM). During her time at Rangi Ruru, music became an increasingly large part of Juliet’s life, all whilst juggling a heavy academic load, and for some time, competitive cycling as well.

As a violist, Juliet has been an awardwinning member of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra, a past member and section leader of the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, played professionally and been an intern with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, twice attended the Adam Chamber Music School, and was a three times National Finalist in the NZCT Chamber Music Contest. Juliet played a big part in Rangi Ruru music groups, including playing tenor saxophone in the Jazz Band and Saxophone Ensemble.

It became clear for Juliet during 2023 that she wanted to continue studying viola at tertiary level. She auditioned for the Royal College of Music (RCM) in London, to study viola with Bryony Gibson-Cornish. Bryony, an alumna of Rangi Ruru who has kept in touch with the music department and visited Rangi in September 2024, is Professor of Viola at the RCM, as well as the violist in the internationally renowned Marmen Quartet. Juliet was delighted to receive an offer, and started studying with Bryony in September 2024. “Having the confidence to know that such doors are possible to open has been extremely encouraging as I head out from Rangi Ruru to continue my studies in music.” Juliet is relishing all the amazing opportunities that are available to her in London, including connections with likeminded music students and internationally renowned professional musicians from all over the world. We will follow Juliet’s progress with great interest.

HOLLY EVANS (2014-2018)

CLASSICAL VOICE POST-GRADUATE STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND

Holly made the most of every opportunity at Rangi Ruru. A classical singer, she played the role of Maria in the combined Rangi Ruru/ Christ’s College 2018 production of West Side Story with a professional level of maturity and conviction. Head of Arts, Holly was also Head of Resolutions and a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir.

A talented percussionist, Holly was the drummer in the Jazz Band, a percussionist

in Rangi Sinfonia, and in 2017 was selected as a percussionist in the New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra. In the same year her chamber music ensemble performed the complex and demanding work Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion, by Bartok. The group won numerous district, South Island and national awards, with the highlight being Gold and National KBB Award winners at the NZCT Chamber Music National Finals.

On leaving Rangi Ruru Holly completed her Bachelor of Music (Vocal Performance) and Bachelor of Commerce (Management) at the University of Canterbury. She then went on to study for her Honours degree in Vocal Performance at the University of Auckland, graduating with First Class Honours. As a result, she was awarded two University of Auckland postgraduate scholarships, which enabled Holly to start her study towards a Master of Music in July 2024. During this study Holly will travel to the UK and hopes to move to London in 2026 to further her vocal studies.

Holly recently made her orchestral debut with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra as part of their Community Classics Concert and has been singing with the New Zealand Opera Chorus during 2022-2024, in addition to regularly performing in Auckland.

MUSIC PROGRAMMES

MUSIC CURRICULUM

Music is offered as a subject to all, with increased specialisation and personalisation as students progress through NCEA Levels 1 to 3 and Scholarship.

Students are exposed to a diverse range of musical styles and genres through performance and creation of original music. These areas are always supported by the exploration of musical context, analysis and music literacy. Skills in live recording and mixing are developed using a range of current music technologies.

There is an emphasis on the development of the whole student through our integrated approach to wellbeing, along with opportunities to develop leadership skills in all aspects of the teaching and learning programme.

CO-CURRICULAR

We offer a highly regarded music co-curricular programmes, including:

• Choral

• Orchestral

• Jazz

• Chamber Music

• Rock

• Percussion

• Musical Theatre

Instrumental and vocal tuition is available to all, and performance artists, teachers and composers are engaged as part of our Artist in Residence programme. All groups consist of students across year levels who learn from and support each other. The students give freely of their time to work beyond the school day to further develop and deepen musical skills and understandings.

STELLAR MUSIC SCHOLARSHIPS

Our music programmes provide personalised enrichment and extension in a caring and inclusive environment for music scholars and other high-achieving musicians.

Stellar Music Scholarships are available for students in Years 7 and 9. Scholars receive discounted tuition fees, a generous grant towards instrumental/vocal lessons and are given access to mental performance coaching. Rangi Ruru’s high achieving musicians are empowered to challenge themselves and find their own voice through music. Mentoring is available from leading creative and forwardthinking professional musicians who inspire students to extend their musical horizons at school and beyond. Students are also actively encouraged to become involved in the wider academic, sporting, cultural and service programmes available at Rangi Ruru.

OUR EXPERTISE

Our passionate and highly regarded music staff go above and beyond to facilitate and include the best possible quality and range of musical experiences for the students.

Two full-time and one part-time music staff members (in specialist areas of art/ classical, world, jazz and commercial music - including music technology) are supported by part-time staff: a music administrator, directors in choral and jazz genres, and 20 itinerant instrumental and vocal teachers, many of whom are among Christchurch’s leading musicians.