Te Awamutu College showcases young talent
‘Time, patience and determination’ have been key for Te Awamutu College music students as they prepared to take to the stage last week.
Students from the school’s music department performed a range of instrumental and vocal pieces on Tuesday night, showcasing the skills they’ve developed through regular practice and rehearsals.
Assistant Principal and Head of Music Bob Hollinshead said the students’ progress reflected the commitment required to learn an instrument.
“All the students show dedication to learning an instrument and voice. Learning an instrument takes time, patience and determination in order to be able to make meaningful progress.”
Junior Concert Band rehearses for an hour each week, while the Senior Concert Band spends “hours” rehearsing every Tuesday night.
Hollinshead said some students had been playing since Year 7, while others had only picked up their instruments this year.
He said the ones who made the most progress were those who regularly practised at home. He encouraged students to treat practice much like homework, rather than relying on one or two sessions a week.
The students’ hard work has already earned recognition, with the Senior Concert Band receiving a Silver Award at the recent Waikato Schools Band and Orchestra Festival at Waikato University.
Tuesday night’s concert featured performances from the junior and senior concert bands, alongside vocal and instrumental solos, duets and small ensembles.
This included Luca Wadmore on solo guitar, Dianne Yatar with two vocal solos and a saxophone quartet featuring Maddix Wells, Noah Awburn, Jessica Kits and Krista Bell.
Left Luca Wadmore on guitar. Photo: Mathew Pearce
The school’s rock band Echoes of Yesterday also performed. The band reached the Waikato Regional Finals of Smokefree Rockquest in May this year.
For the Junior Concert Band, the next challenge will come when they take their music on the road to Pirongia School next week, performing and taking part in a workshop.
