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, Stephen Morton-Jones.
A regional leader in string ensemble playing, Viva Stringendo is a group for orchestral string players (violin, viola, cello and double bass, 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 Stephen Morton-Jones, Director of Performing Arts at St Peter’s.
Our Commercial Music Programme helps a student to develop skills applicable to today’s music industry.
This is a broad field, where practice and musical ability meets performance, creativity, technology and audio engineering.
Students can dream big, and try things in a group which encourages acceptance and experimentation.
This is the engine room of being in a band.
Our students will become able to participate in rehearsing, performing, recording and releasing music.
Students can perform in school events and competitions such as Bandquest and Rockquest.
The Voice Collective is for all students, which perform at regular school events and national competitions. This full SATB choir performs in part harmony across a variety of genres – from hits from the big screen and stage, to contemporary pop music, gospels and spirituals. The Voice Collective is led by the Head of Voice, Sam Cleaver.
Prep Glee Club is a great opportunity for students to develop their choral abilities in a fun and engaging environment. Singers of all abilities will experience solo, harmony and group singing. This group learns and performs a wide range of repertoire from show music to popular hits. The Prep Glee Club is led by the Head of Voice, Sam Cleaver.
Instruments in this group include brass, saxophone, bass guitar, electric guitar, drums, keyboards and vocalists. Petrafied Phunk is an auditioned group and these are held at the start of the year, or when places become available. They are regular performers at St Peter’s events and their repertoire includes a mix of jazz and pop hits, performed in a jazz-funk style. Petrafied Phunk is led by Greg Taylor.
Impact is a dynamic percussion ensemble that 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 Head of Faculty, Michael Schroeder.
The guitar orchestra provides an opportunity for guitarists to extend their technique within like-minded musicians in a larger group. This group perform contemporary arrangements across a diverse stylistic palate. Students develop reading skills, group playing aptitude and learn to play in a social, fun environment. The Guitar Orchestra is led by the Head of Guitar, Jason Wilcox and caters for semi-experienced through to advanced musicians.
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