Music at Hutt Valley High School

Hutt Valley High School offers high quality, free tuition on a wide range of instruments. Students taking music instrumental lessons through school will be expected to take an active part in at least one co-curricular music group at HVHS. Through these activities students use the skills learned in lessons and improve at a faster rate.

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- Beginners are welcome on all instruments.

- All students learning an instrument or voice at HVHS are expected to be involved in at least one HVHS    music group for the year.

- Students will undertake to catch up any class work missed during tuition.

- Students will undertake to practice regularly and to attend lessons and group rehearsals every week.

- Tuition in the Music Programme will primarily be in pairs or small groups.

- Lessons are 30 minutes each week during the normal school day.

- To minimise disruption, times are rotated so students do not miss the same subject each week.

- Any instrument hire fees are to be paid before tuition commences.

- Students may be limited to learning one instrument only through the HVHS programme, as space is    limited.

- Due to large numbers of applicants in most instruments, preference is given to students taking music    as a subject.

List of instruments offered

Voice

Violin

Viola

Cello

Double bass

Trumpet

Trombone

Horn

Saxophones, Alto or Tenor

Classical Guitar

Guitar

Bass Guitar

Flute

Clarinet

Drums

Percussion

Programme Fees

Instrument hire fees $25 per term (if applicable).

Music Groups - Co-Curricular Programme

The Music Co-curricular programme is open to all students!  We have a number of groups running, so there is something for everyone. We welcome all new singers and players, but expect instrumentalists to have been learning their instrument for at least one year.

If you would like to form your own music band or chamber group then speak to either Steven Huckfield or Katriona MacDonald. Contact us if you have any further questions.

Music Co-Curricular Timetable

‍Chamber Music Ensembles 

Chamber Music ensembles are typically trios or quartets that play traditional music, and players are often Grade 5 or above in ability. Most groups will enter the regional festival and perform in both our annual St Mark’s lunchtime concert and the department Acoustic Concert. Please register your interest and ability, then groups will be formed by a teacher of similarly skilled players.

Staff Contact: Steven Huckfield

Flute Choir

Flute choir is for flute students who have been learning for at least a year. This group often breaks into smaller ensembles as required and performs in both our annual St Mark’s lunchtime concert and department Acoustic Concert, as appropriate.

Staff Contact: Gemma McIlroy

Guitar Orchestra

Guitar orchestra is for students who already play guitar and can read either TAB or traditional notation. Students can use the school acoustic guitars for rehearsal, and will learn guitar repertoire and group skills in a supportive environment.

Staff Contact: Owen Moriarty

Jazz Ensembles 

Students interested in forming jazz ensembles can do this either as their own group, or register their interest and ability with the staff contact. Jazz ensembles tend to focus on improvisation from lead sheets, rather than being focussed on note reading.

Staff Contact: Steven Huckfield

Orchestra 

The full orchestra is an exciting experience for those participating in music. It is run over a short period of time, usually in Term 3, and is made up of members from other ensembles such as String Orchestra and Wind Ensemble.

Staff Contact: Steven Huckfield

Tangata Beats Bands

Students interested in forming Tangata Beats Bands can do this either as their own group, or through classroom music classes, or register their interest and ability with the staff contact. Bands should be including one or more elements in their music; language of the Pacific, Aotearoa specific content, traditional Pacific instruments, traditional Pacific dance elements.

Staff Contact: Steven Huckfield

Rock Bands

Students interested in forming Rock Bands can do this either as their own group, through classroom music classes, or register their interest and ability with the staff contact. Rock bands through school are working on original creative material in a small group environment.

Staff Contact:  Steven Huckfield

Stage Band 

The Stage Band is an invite only group, however you can register your interest and ability with the contact teacher. It is a group for our best saxophone, trumpet, trombone and rhythm students in the jazz genre. It is based on chart reading, so players must be able to read music.

Staff Contact: Chris Buckland

String Orchestra

String Orchestra is for those who have been learning violin, viola, cello or double bass for at least a year. It is an opportunity for string players to learn in a group where the focus is on string technique and repertoire, and the keys of the music are suitable for the players.

Staff Contact: Steven Huckfield‍

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‍Wind Ensemble

Wind Ensemble is for those students who have been learning flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon or saxophone for at least a year. It is an opportunity for wind players to focus on technique and repertoire in a group setting.

Staff Contact: Steven Huckfield

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‍Ukulele Club

The Ukulele club is a social club for players of all abilities. Students can bring their own song choices in for the group to play, and decisions are made as a club, with shared lunches being a feature. Typically performs in the annual acoustic concert, and a few other events as appropriate.

Staff Contact:  Steven Huckfield