Now that gathering restrictions have lifted, our Music students are thriving with a range of events, visits and competitions. You can read about some of them in separate stories in this newsletter, but here are a few to get you started!
Cantare and Auckland Choral Concert
On 30 July, Cantare choir performed in a concert with Auckland Choral to a full audience at the Holy Trinity Cathedral (pictured above). The choir was an invited guest performing a special programme of works by New Zealand composer David Hamilton. David is the composition tutor at Westlake Girls High School and his 40-year membership with Auckland Choral was celebrated with a performance of two works, one specifically written for Matariki. The Cantare Year 13 students were enjoying the school ball on the same night, so the choir was reduced to 30 singers from Year 9 – 12, who received wonderful reviews for their performance.
Choralation Camp
From Friday 5 – Sunday 7 August, Choralation choir enjoyed their annual camp, previously cancelled from Term 1 due to Covid. It was a busy time with performances at the Westlake Gala Concert on the Friday evening. The choir, directed by Rowan Johnston, stayed at Peter Snell Youth Village in Whangaparoa. Over the camp they fine-tuned their programmes in preparation for National Finale and enjoyed some choir bonding activities. Below are the Year 13 leaders (left) and whole camp (right).
Choirs Day Tour
Cantare, Choralation and Cigno Voce choirs are preparing for their national competitions coming up next week. To develop their performance craft, the singers enjoyed a day tour on Wednesday 17 August, performing at Northcross Intermediate, Mayfair Retirement Village and Fairview Village.
It was lovely to see Stuart Mannings who introduced the choirs at Mayfair Village – he was the very first Westlake music teacher when the school was established and he turns 90 next month! Each choir performed the repertoire they will present at The Big Sing National Finale and Cadenza Festivals. We wish them all the best as they represent Westlake in Christchurch and Rotorua.
