The annual Westlake Instrumental Gala Concert was a true testament to the incredible talent and hard work of our ten instrumental ensembles across both Westlake Schools.

From our young musicians in development ensembles to more experienced musicians contributing in our premiere, award-winning groups, the concert showcased the full and vibrant range of Westlake’s instrumental programme. The audience was treated to a diverse repertoire spanning various styles and eras, performed by big bands, concert bands, symphony orchestras, and string orchestras. Thank you to all the families and community members who came out to support our students and celebrated the dedication and passion that defines the Westlake Music Departments. 

Our instrumental ensembles are all looking forward to attending and competing at the annual KBB Music Festival at the Holy Trinity Cathedral next week.

Auditions for 2026 ensembles are already underway, with an international tour to China next April planned for the premier groups: Westlake Symphony Orchestra, Westlake Chamber Orchestra, Westlake Concert Band and Westlake Big Band. For any students who are interested in auditioning for an ensemble in 2026, come and talk to a music teacher to find out more information about how you can get involved next year.

On Saturday, 2 August, our Westlake Girls Jazz Band enjoyed an inspiring full-day workshop with Lana Law, director of the Christchurch All Girls Big Band. Hosted in our music department and under the guidance of band director Mr Jono Howan, Lana worked closely with the students to help them refine their collective sound and strengthen their cohesion as a band. The band was also lucky to receive some mentoring from another guest tutor who joined us on the day: Saxophone player and teacher, Michelle Waring.

A highlight of the day was a 90-minute improvisation session, where Lana guided the students through essential skills for taking solos and navigating jazz improvisation confidently. The progress was truly remarkable – the band’s sound at the end of the day was noticeably tighter and more polished.

The workshop culminated in a special concert for proud parents, showcasing the band’s hard work and growth. We are incredibly proud of the dedication our students have shown and wish them every success as they prepare to perform at the upcoming KBB Festival at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell, on 15 August.

Last year, we launched an exciting new tradition — inviting students to create the front and back covers of our school Yearbook. The response was amazing, with incredible artwork submitted. Two winning designs were proudly featured on the covers of the 2024 edition.

We’re doing it again for 2025 — and we want to see what you’ve got!

All art forms are welcome, and you DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE ART to participate. Let your creativity take centre stage.

Keen to enter? Watch the video below for a glimpse of last year’s winning artwork and get inspired.

Questions? Email Amy Wheeler

A roaring success!

We were thrilled to host our Jazz Band Quiz Night on 22 July, in the WGHS Event Centre – and what a fantastic evening it was. The room was buzzing with excitement as students, staff, and community members came together to enjoy a fun-filled night of music, trivia, and prizes – all in support of our talented jazz musicians.

Guests were encouraged to dress as their favourite musicians or artists, adding to the festive atmosphere, and all funds raised went towards covering costs for the Jazz Band students’ Workshop with Lana Law, director of the Christchurch All Girls Big Band (a story also featured in this newsletter).

Our annual Westlake Girls Dance Showcase is coming up on Wednesday, 13 August (Week 5, Term 3) in the WGHS Event Centre from 6:30pm–9:45pm. Food trucks will be on site from 5:00 pm, and doors open at 5:15 pm. This is a highlight of the dance calendar, featuring performances from Years 9–13 across a wide range of genres, including Tap, Cabaret, K Pop, Reggaeton, and Lindy Hop.

Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Tickets are on sale online, through the school website, and door sales will also be available. Online ticket link – eTicket Event | Dance Showcase

The evening will showcase the incredible work of our dance classes, as well as the extension dance troupes, and student-led choreography. It’s a celebration of creativity, teamwork, and talent — we’d love to see you there!

On Friday, 18 July, Macleans College Chorale from East Auckland, travelled to Westlake Girls for a special exchange with Choralation, the premier mixed choir from Westlake Girls and Boys High Schools. The event was a celebration of music, connection, and excellence.

Both choirs, which share a philosophy that strong storytelling and a deep connection to the text are essential to a powerful choral performance, are also fortunate to work with vocal consultant James Harrison. Harrison’s expert guidance has been instrumental in shaping their sound and artistry.

The exchange featured collaborative performances of three pieces – ‘Geistliches Lied’ by Brahms, the Guatemalan folk song ‘La Monja Blanca’, arranged by David N. Childs and Rollo Dilworth’s uplifting gospel piece ‘I Sing Because I’m Happy’.

Beyond the music, students participated in musical games and sightreading activities, building friendships and sharing their passion for singing in a relaxed and supportive environment.

The Macleans College Chorale expressed its thanks to Choralation and its director, Fiona Wilson, for their warm hospitality. Both choirs look forward to reconnecting at The Big Sing Finale in Dunedin this August, where their members will have another chance to make music and strengthen their new friendships.

Standing in front of an artwork in real life has power. It is not just the scale that changes our perspective, but the interaction with it in a specific location adds to historic connections, and the artist’s intentions become clearer and more relatable.

On Friday, 1 August, Art History students visited Bastion Point Reserve, the traditional site of two Ngāti Whātua Pā systems. After discussing the importance of the land and position on the Waitematā Harbour, the stages of colonial effects on Māori culture in the Ōrākei area of Auckland, as well as the famous 506-day land occupation protest, we moved on to view ‘The Lighthouse’, an artwork by Michal Parekowhai on Queens Wharf. Understanding the historic context of a contemporary artwork unlocked new perspectives and enjoyment in viewing the work.

We proceeded to view a new digital video installation by Lisa Reihana at the University of Auckland, titled ‘Māramatanga’, which embodies ideas of enlightenment and growth for students and leaders, embedding the value of sustainable practice ideas for the future while being inspired by our multicultural present and past.

The last stop on a beautiful sunny winter’s day was a short walk to the Auckland Art Gallery where we viewed ‘A Century of Modern Art’, a visiting exhibition with all the colour and expression of Van Gogh, Degas and Picasso and so many more to enjoy as well as some more contemporary offerings with real world issues like climate change at their core.

The annual Junior Treble Voices Festival was a truly uplifting afternoon and evening, celebrating both music and togetherness, held on International Friendship Day, Friday 1st August. 

The festival brought together over 330 young singers from a range of schools, including Kristin Junior School, Takapuna Normal Intermediate, Belmont Intermediate, Long Bay College, Carmel College, the New Zealand Children’s Choral Academy, and our junior choir, Nota Bella. The singers spent the afternoon singing together and workshopping with guest clinicians Fiona Wilson (HOD Music WGHS) and Mary Cornish MNZM.

The Festival culminated with an evening concert for parents and supporters, where each choir shared their hard work with vibrant and joyful singing. The highlight of the event was the three massed items, where all 330 voices joined powerfully together in song. It was a beautiful culmination of the evening’s themes, demonstrating the profound human connection that can be found through music.

Thank you to all the whānau and community members who came to support our students and share in this special celebration. The evening was a wonderful reminder that music is indeed better when shared with friends.

For those WGHS students who are thinking about joining a choir in 2026, auditions are coming up in Week 9 of Term 3. Come and talk to a music teacher about choir and how to prepare for an audition and become a part of our singing whānau next year!