Groups

This large, highly accomplished symphony orchestra is open to all orchestral musicians — orchestral strings, woodwind, brass and orchestral percussion. Petra Musica is a leader in the region in orchestral performance, with a wide repertoire from various genres including contemporary show and film music, as well as classical music favourites. This polished orchestra has a strong reputation for excellence and provides an opportunity for all traditional musicians to perform in an award-winning ensemble. It is led by Director of Performing Arts, Victoria Trenwith. Victoria is a highly experienced musical director.

A regional leader in string ensemble playing, Viva Stringendo is a group for orchestral string players — violinists, violists, cellists and bassists — accompanied by piano and limited percussion as required. This highly successful group regularly receives Gold Awards at the Waikato Bay of Plenty Band and Orchestra Festival. Viva Stringendo is led by Victoria Trenwith, a highly accomplished violinist and Director of Performing Arts at St Peter’s.

Petra Voce is a popular and polished choir which performs regularly in school and further afield. This auditioned mixed choir performs in part harmony across a variety of genres. A highlight of the year is competing annually at the Big Sing Competition. Petra Voce is led by Hannah Bryant. Hannah has freelanced as a soloist and chorister, and established herself as a popular teacher of young voices in primary and high schools in both Auckland and Hamilton. Petra Voce accompanist, David Hall, is an experienced vocal director, who has worked with singers in many different capacities, as a director, repetiteur, and accompanist.

Prep choir is a great opportunity for students to develop their choral abilities in a fun and engaging environment. Students of all abilities will experience solo, harmony and group singing, grow their confidence and have regular performance opportunities to showcase their skills. Prep Choir is led by Hannah Bryant. Hannah has freelanced as a soloist and chorister, and established herself as a popular teacher of young voices in primary and high schools in both Auckland and Hamilton.

This fantastic auditioned group takes on the challenge of playing jazz and pop hits, with a dynamic line-up of saxophones, brass, rhythm section, and vocalists. Petrafied Phunk are regular performers at St Peter’s and have been very successful with Gold Awards from the annual Waikato Bay of Plenty Band and Orchestra Festival. Petrafied Phunk is led by Jeremy Trenwith. Jeremy has more than twenty years theatre, session, teaching and performance experience throughout New Zealand as a bass guitarist and guitarist in a range of musical styles.

Impact is a dynamic percussion ensemble which aims to create and find innovative rhythmic uses for standard everyday items. The group takes inspiration from percussion groups such as “Stomp” and the New Zealand bred “Strike” as it challenges students with complex rhythms and techniques. All students are encouraged to give input into the creation and arrangement of the compositions so that no one performance is ever the same. This group requires no previous experience. Since its inception in 2014, Impact has received Gold Awards at the annual Waikato Bay of Plenty Band and Orchestra Festival. Impact is led by St Peter’s music teacher Michael Schroeder, a highly experienced percussionist and drummer.

Petra Uke gives students the opportunity to perform fun and enjoyable music arrangements on custom built ukeleles. The group’s repertoire ranges from modern pop songs through to jazz standards and classical pieces. No previous musical experience is required to join. Petra Uke is led by St Peter’s music teacher Michael Schroeder.

The guitar orchestra provides an opportunity for aspiring guitarists to extend their technique within a dedicated and like-minded group of musicians. Students will have the opportunity to learn a variety of repertoire and the experience of performing in a range of situations across the year. The Guitar Orchestra is led by Dave Maybee, a stalwart of the Waikato music scene, who has performed for a number of years as a guitarist in a wide range of musical styles.

These student-led bands find practice facilities and support at St Peter’s to nurture their creativity and talents. St Peter’s groups have a strong reputation in the Smokefree Rockquest and we have had finalists representing the Waikato region for the past five years. Students given opportunities within the school to develop their band and group performance skills through various concerts.

Prep Rock Band is a brilliant starting point for our young contemporary musicians. This is a group for students wanting to develop instrumental, ensemble and performance skills in preparation for competitions such as Bandslam and Bandquest. Prep Rock band is led by St Peter’s music teacher Michael Schroeder, a highly experienced percussionist and drummer.