Music
Diocesan has a long and proud tradition of producing top musicians in both vocal and instrumental music. Students regularly do well in regional and national contests and awards, and in the middle and senior years are given opportunities to travel internationally.
The Extra Curricular Music programme encourages students to explore different musical genres (such as rock, classical and jazz) in a supportive environment, and includes:
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Chamber Ensemble (Orchestra) |
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Stage Band |
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Senior Choir & St Cecilia Singers (elite choir) |
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Diocesan Sinfonia |
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Concert Band |
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Diocesan Singers (all-comers choir) |
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Middle School Orchestra (training orchestra) |
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Virtuoso Voce (Yr 7 and 8 auditioned choir) |
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Bella Cantoris (Year 9 and 10 auditioned choir) |
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Junior and Senior Handbells |
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Jazz Combo |
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Chamber Music Groups |
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Rockquest Bands (competitive rock bands) |
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Chapel Choir (Junior School) |
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Bella Voce Choir (Junior School training choir) |
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Junior School Orchestra |
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Dionamics Junior School Chamber Ensemble |
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Junior School Recorder Ensemble |
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Junior School Tone Chimes Group |
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Cool Kids Chorus (Junior School) |
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Musical Productions |
School Wide Musical Events
House Choirs and Dance
Every year a day is set aside for the eight School Houses to prepare and perform music in a competitive setting. Always contested with great spirit the House choirs and the associated dance opportunities are one of the highlights of the school calendar.
Carol Service
Involving the whole school and its community, the Carol Services (Years 1 – 6 and Years 7 – 13) held at Holy Trinity Cathedral are a highlight of the musical and spiritual activity of the School.
Musical Showcase
An annual concert is held to present all the musical groups in the School to the community. Held in Holy Trinity Cathedral, hundreds of students are involved, offering fascinating insights into the progressive development of music through the School.
Concerto and Aria Contest
An annual opportunity is offered for elite musicians to perform a movement of a concerto or sing lieder and an operatic aria. The concertos are generally backed by the Diocesan Sinfonia or Chamber Ensemble, and the formal performance setting for all musicians is an invaluable performance experience. Substantial cash awards are made for piano and voice performance.
Other Concerts are offered throughout the year for individual and ensemble performance.
Junior School Music
Music is an integral part of the Junior School with several opportunities for all students to participate and learn:
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each class has two lessons a week with the Junior School music specialist |
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Year 3 students learn the violin, taught by experienced violin teachers |
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Year 4 and 5 students can learn either the piano or an orchestral instrument, with the recorder taught in the core music classes |
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there are choir opportunities at each year level |
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three Junior School choirs and several instrumental groups perform at school and community functions and inter-school competitions. |
Music Awards
The Sinfonia and Chamber Orchestra have consistently won gold and supreme awards in the Auckland region Band and Orchestra Festival, and students feature in groups performing in the finals of the Secondary Schools' Chamber Music Contest. Diocesan choirs have regularly featured in the national finals of the Big Sing Choral Festival as well as winning regional awards. Our rock band has regularly made the Auckland Final of the Smokefree Rockquest.
Music Mentor Programmes
The NZSO Mentor Programme is an Arts partnership between THE EDGE and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. This programme gives students exclusive opportunities to see the NZSO in rehearsal and backstage, interact with an NZSO player as mentor and with entry to NZSO performances, gives students exposure to the opportunities and possibilities that exist if they are considering music as a future career.
Similar opportunities are sought with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Scholarships and students are put forward wherever possible.
Play it Strange, a mentoring and performance opportunity set up by Mike Chunn as part of New Zealand Music Month in May has featured Diocesan girls to the forefront since its inception. Students work alongside professional rock musicians in a professional setting with professional equipment.
Private Music Lessons
A range of excellent itinerant music teacher’s work in the School offering lessons during, and to a limited extent, outside school hours. While the School acts as an intermediary, the lessons are contracted individually with the teacher. All orchestral instruments, voice and a range of contemporary music instruments are offered. Where appropriate students are put forward for examinations, generally through the Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, or Trinity Guildhall.
If you require any assistance please contact our Music Department.
Mr David Gordon Mr Andre Worsnop
Performing Arts Director Head of Faculty Arts