Music Department

Music Lessons for AGS Students in 2012

Grammar wins 2011 NZ Woodwind Competition

Fourth former Christo Karadjov entered the NZ Woodwind Competition on clarinet and blew everyone away by winning the Secondary Category outright. Christo is doing option Music in fourth form and he entered mainly for the experience and we were thrilled to see him take the title against much more experienced 6th and 7th formers from other schools.

He is no stranger to success because back in 2009 Christo got grade 5 (ABRSM) with distinction (138/150) and was invited to the High achievers concert as the highest clarinet exam mark in Auckland that year. He also performed the Mozart Clarinet concerto in front of 2500 people accompanied by the A.P.P.A festival orchestra in the Auckland Town hall that year and followed it with winning the school's prestigious Minister's Plate junior division in 2010. He has also played twice now in the KBB Gala Concert in Symphony Orchestra.

Head of Music Stuart Sherwood said "everyone is just buzzing with this news which is a real coup for Christo and his teacher Mr Eady. We are just thrilled for him." On Friday 30th September Christo "crossed stage" to receive his national award from Headmaster Mr Morris.

Stage Band South Island Tour

18 - 24 August 2011

The Stage Band had another successful tour of schools in Southland and Otago (Mt Aspiring College, Fiordland College, Aparima College, James Hargest College, Salford Primary School, Southland Boys High School, Blue Mountain College, Dunstan High School) and also managed some snowboarding, skiing and tramping. See the student report in the list on the right.

Choir invited to the Cloud

Wednesday 7 September 2011

The Music Department has been busy fielding enquiries for our high profile groups to provide entertainment for the Rugby World Cup, from the "fan trail" to the Cloud. Our award-winning choir GrammAcoustix, back from Nationals performed this week at the upstairs Business Lounge at the new Cloud venue.

They were joined by the Grammar Kapa Haka group as well with traditional Maori fare. They performed the song 'Tarakihi' with Auckland soloist Elizabeth Marvelly, followed by a special haka performed by the Grammar group, in front of Rugby World Cup official parties from around the world, CEO Martin Snedden and NZ Government officials.

The boys pulled off a fantastic performance and received high praises and handshakes from the politicians and guests in attendance. Thanks to Messrs Rehu, Elise, Boroughs and Ms Lin and Grammar old boy Campbell Rehu for the organization of such a special event.

Chorus Gets Third at Nationals - August 2011

Having performed at North Shore, the barbershop group GrammAcoustix was invited to take part in the national finals for Barbershop choruses in Wellington in August.

Under the inspired and enthusiastic direction of old boy Mr Campbell Rehu, the chorus has a new image and a new name and we were delighted to see them gain third place in the finals for "Young Men in Harmony", Chorus Finals 2011. With some great choreography and moves, the boys sang "Cheer Up Charlie" and "When it comes to lovin the girls, they're all sweeties".

Head of Music Stuart Sherwood comments: "the group has really worked tirelessly together, gaining strength and confidence as they went. To get through to the national final was a real thrill for them and then to come third nationally is amazing in this their first year in the competition; congratulations to all involved."

Musicians through to KBB Gala - August 2011

We were delighted to see the Auckland Grammar School Symphony Orchestra and Grammar Virtuosi through to the KBB Gala concert on Friday 19 August, held in Holy Trinity Cathedral, reserved for the top orchestras in Auckland in the Schools Festival.

Grammar Virtuosi chamber orchestra was awarded GOLD medal and Symphony Orchestra was awarded highest SILVER (5th place) in the schools competition.

The two groups played music by Elgar (Pomp and Circumstance Military March), Spring Festival Overture (Li, Huanzhi), Oblivion (Piazzolla) and a 2011 Grammar commission from Mr David Hamilton, Concerto Grosso No 4.

Congratulations go to all musicians this year taking part in the festival. Head of Music Stuart Sherwood said: "It is so heartening to see so many students once again through to the prestigious Gala Concert and establishing Grammar as a centre of musical excellence. Ably led by Philip Chien, leader, the groups have beaten many established schools and can feel justifiably proud of their achievements once again."

Winter Concerts - August 2011

Winter Concert I was held on Wednesday 3 August at 7 pm in the Centennial Theatre, Auckland Grammar School. Matteo Napoli (pianoforte) was the celebrity visiting artist and wowed the audience with a performance of Galuppi, Liszt and Verdi. The first concert is traditionally the one showcasing performances by the choir, awardwinning GrammAcoustix, Grammar Virtuosi, Wind Band and Barbershop Quartets. This year we also heard National Chamber Music Finalists, Zingaro play a delightful programme of Brahms.

Winter Concert II (Minister's Plate Competition) was then held on Wednesday 10 August at 7 pm in the Centennial Theatre, Auckland Grammar School. This featured the Minister's Plate Finals (Junior and Senior) and was judged by Mr Matteo Napoli. The AGS Symphony Orchestra, Premiere Concert Band and Stage Band also performed a vibrant programme of Beethoven's Symphony no.8, 4th movement; 'Smooth' by R. Thomas and I. Shur 'World on a String' arr. Barry Clewett, 'Yardbird' arr. John Berry and "Xerxes".

The tense Minister's Plate finals were once again keenly fought and the winners were:

Alex McFarlane (Senior division) playing Rhapsodie Hebraique by Bloch (Viola)

Justin Chuk (Junior division) playing Concerto in G by Bruch (Violin), first movement

Congratulations to all finalists who this year made it through against really tough competition.

Chamber Music Success

National Finalists, Zingaro, perform Piano Quartet No 1 in G minor Opus 25 (4th movement – Rondo alla Zingarese) by Johannes Brahms in Hamilton, July 2011

Watch the Zingaro preformance here

June 2011

The Moldau Quartet

Zingaro

We were delighted to see the progress of the chamber groups this year. After a good workout in May at the chamber music day, all groups felt ready and prepared to enter the National Chamber Music Competition. After four days of gruelling heats, four groups with Grammar students progressed to the district semi-finals, the top 16 out of 124 Auckland groups which entered. They were:

Moldau Quartet – Auckland
Jim Wu, violin – Auckland Grammar School
Emily Badley, violin – St Cuthbert’s College
Alex McFarlane, viola – Auckland Grammar School
Francis Yoon, cello – Auckland Grammar School
Performing String Quartet No 1 "From My Life"(1st and 2nd movements) by Bedrich Smetana

Zingaro – Auckland
Maggie Han, piano – Epsom Girls’ Grammar School
Bruce Tsai, violin – Auckland Grammar School
Sophia Lee, viola – Westlake Girls’ High School
Peter Lee, cello – Auckland Grammar School
Performing Piano Quartet No 1 in G minor Opus 25 (4th movement – Rondo alla Zingarese) by Johannes Brahms

Trio Quixotique - Auckland
Jesse Li, Violin- Epsom Girls' Grammar School
Francis Yoon, cello – Auckland Grammar School
David Liao, Piano – Auckland Grammar School
Playing Piano Trio in C Minor, Op. 101 Mvts 1 & 3 by Brahms

Jae Trio – Auckland
Eun-Ji Cho, Violin – St Cuthbert's College
James Koo, Clarinet – Auckland Grammar School
Azeria D'Souza, Piano - St Cuthbert's College

From these four, the first two – Moldau Quartet and Zingaro achieved highly commended in the District Final (the top 8 groups in Auckland) and then were selected to go through to the National Semi-finals in July.

The National Chamber Music Competition Semi-Finals were held on Friday 15 July at the WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato, Hamilton and we were delighted to see both groups perform so well. Students erupted in elation as Zingaro, featuring B. Tsai (violin) and P. Lee (cello) was then selected to go forward to the National Final on Saturday, this being the top six groups from across the country. They played extremely well once again and were runners-up. Congratulations to all students, parents and coaches for what has been an outstanding season of chamber music this year for Grammar.

Music Performance at Kowhai Intermediate

25 March 2011

On Friday 25 March, the Music department of AGS went on tour to local Intermediates, keeping up a tradition that now goes back many years. This involved the Symphony Orchestra, Grammar Virtuosi, Grammar Voices, Premier Concert Band, Wind Band, Stage Band, Pipe Band and Barbershop Quartet. We started at Kowhai Intermediate School and were well-received at their hall with an appreciative audience of about 500.

In a wide-ranging programme from Elgar to Saucedo and “Come Fly with me”, our groups entertained their way through about an hour’s music and introductions. It was clear for many students, they had not yet seen the staples of high school music: baritone saxophones, deep male voices and pipe bands were perhaps not yet on their menu and it was wonderful to see whole avenues of music-making opening up before their eyes.

After Kowhai the three coaches travelled north to Parnell and at Parnell District School, we were quickly amusing mainly 7 - 10 year-olds, with a variety of similar demonstrations and performances. It has to be said that the boys did a fantastic job as Grammar ambassadors in both schools, neatly turned out in blazers and playing professionally and enthusiastically. One particular surprise seemed to be the sight of bassoons, perhaps not the rarest sight but certainly a show-stopper for some 7-year-olds in Parnell.

With huge organisation, it was not surprising that we gained enormously from the help by Mr Boroughs in preparing the truck, Mr Rehu, Mr Hodson, Mr Wasson, Ms Lin and Mrs Johnston in their various capacities in helping to make the morning a huge success. Afterwards each boy was treated to pizza back at school and very soon 100 large pizzas and 35 litres of soft drinks disappeared in ten minutes to reward and acknowledge each boy's morning's work. To each musician, we owe a big vote of thanks for representing the school so favourably and helping with equipment and set-up. We will undoubtedly carry on this great tradition next year as we send our Music ambassadors out into the field once again.

Stuart Sherwood
HoD Music

Photos from the Performance Day:

2010 - 'Life as an Orchestral Musician' by William Zhang (Dux 2009)

The Grammar Pipe Band - Anzac Day 2010

The Grammar Pipe Band played on 25 April for the Northcote Anzac day parade. They did an excellent job leading the parade and got good feedback from the crowd.

Grammar Virtuosi - March 2010

Grammar Virtuosi before their South Island tour with conductor and Head of Music, Dr Nelson Wu.

Prime Minister with AGS Band 'Without Conscious Thought'

Without Conscious Thought performed on Friday 24 July at St Matthew's in the City
for the Robin Hood Foundation Awards Ceremony. Pictured with Prime Minister, John Key.

Auckland Grammar School