Christ's College Music Department

Congratulations to the Band "5 On Air" who at the weekend performed at Platform 24 against 60 other acts and made it to the final along with 19 other acts. In the finals, they took out the award for best original act on the night. The band comprised:
Tinura Madura-Gajmamge, Charlie Saunders (standing in for Sam Belcher), James Saunders, Matthew Geddes, Kennedy Xiao. Congratulations on your outstanding performance.

Come join the choir and enjoy singing some of the great Old Hymns that have been the foundation of traditional Church worship over the years. A retiring Koha will be taken towards the Chapel Choir European Tour this September.

Kennedy Xiao – lead vocalist for Christ’s College band 5 on Air – has won the Best Vocals Award at the Smokefree Rockquest Canterbury Regional Final. It is the second time that the Year 12 student has been recognised at Rockquest, with his work, ‘See the Light’, named Best Song in 2023.

This afternoon a large group of students had the pleasure of performing at St Mary's Pro-Cathedral as part of their Wednesdays at One concert series. The concert opened with the Trebles joining Schola Cantorum in the Chapel Choir's Big Sing Programme. Superb solos from Ryan Gu, Oscar Stove, Joshua Padayachee, Richard Brown, Jago Wallace and Lucas Zhong filled the vibrant acoustic space of St Marys.

James Burt's original composition entitled "Three Styles for Saxophone Quartet" was well received along with the Popper Quartet performing "Requiem" for Three cellos and Piano. Since arriving at the start of term 2, staff member Hugo Zanker has worked in developing quality chamber music opportunities for the students.

Schola Cantorum concluded the concert with their Big Sing programme which concluded with Z Randall Stroope's demanding "Tarantella". The backing of Joshua Padayachee, Hugo Zanker and Lucas Zhong added to the intensity of the performance.
Thanks to accompanists Janet Gibbs and Yiyi Ku who superbly supported the students.

To start the term, Y11 cellist Jago Wallace hot on the heels of input from the NZ String Quartet masterclass held at College, performed Vittorio Monti's haunting "Czardas" in Assembly this morning.
A technically demanding work, Jago fully captured the school's attention with his great musicianship. Yiyi Ku superbly accompanied Jago on the Piano.

Last evening in the College Chapel, we inducted 26 new members into the Chapel Choir. This was a great occasion and the choir was on form singing several of their favourite works from this year's repertoire.
Thanks to Rev Cameron Pickering for presiding over a wonderful, memorable and meaningful service and to Organist Janet Gibbs for her sensitive and supportive organ accompaniment. It was nice to have three powerful hymns throughout the service allowing the choir to colour them with exceptional descant lines.
Head of Choir Nicholas Winefield welcomed the new members with a wonderful address at the Supper the followed.

It was an immense pleasure to host the NZ String Quartet at College yesterday afternoon as they worked with three of our string players. Jago Wallace, Joshua Padayachee and Lucas Zhong performed exceptionally well and soaked up the collective instruction from members of the Quartet. It was a true please to watch the Quartet's wide-ranging discussion of technique and their enthusiasm was contagious. Thanks go to Victora Wynne Thomas for facilitating the event.

It is with much pleasure that we announce the appointment of Janet Gibbs to the position of Organist at the College. Janet is a highly qualified and experienced church musician, organist, and recitalist, with several international qualifications to her name: FRCO, ARCO, ARCM(Hons), FTCL, LRSM, B.Mus.

Janet has worked in Wellington, Melbourne and more recently in Auckland. Her experience includes time spent in leading Anglican churches, Cathedrals and both independent and public schools. With this immense background and experience in leading schools such as Scotch College, Westlake Girls’ and Boys’ High Schools, St Cuthbert’s College, Diocesan School, and St Marks School, we look forward to Janet’s contribution helping to further enhance our chapel worship and choral music programmes.

Our wonderful Chamber Choir, Schola Cantorum, welcomed the world-renowned The King's Singers to Christ’s College today, ahead of their sold-out performance here tonight. The boys performed the waiata “E Te Atua” which was composed for College last year. First Baritone Christopher Bruerton is the first Kiwi to join the hallowed ranks of the King’s Singers and has been part of the elite group since 2012.

Rock On – featuring multi-talented bands from Christ’s College and Rangi Ruru Girls’ School – has rocked the Assembly Hall during an entertaining evening of original music-making.

Check out the photos of the bands in action.

Last evening a group of Junior voice and piano students presented their exam and solo repertoire in a recital in the Music School Performance Room.
Thanks to Shelley Spang for tutoring the boys and for the experience gained from sharing their skills with others. A fine night of music-making. Well done to all involved.

It was great to be able to honour the Big Band's success at the recent Southern Jam Jazz Festival at Thursday's Assembly. Will Sudell's soloist skills were acknowledged in the Band's opening performance.