~ Hans Christian Andersen
Music is part of the curriculum and offered within the college co-curricular activities.
Music is taught as a subject from Year 9 to Year 13. It is an option subject from Year 10 to Year 13.
Co-Curricular music gives the wider community of the school an opportunity to be involved in broadening their music skills. Students from the whole school are welcome to take part in the different opportunities available which enable them to learn new skills, meet new friends, challenge themselves, work cooperatively, and be involved in performances.
Students can become involved in a number of different music groups which rehearse at the school. Currently, these include:
These groups rehearse each week and prepare for a variety of performance opportunities both within and outside the school during the year. These include NZ Music Month, Botany’s Got Talent, Smokefree Rockquest, KBB Music Festival, Stand Up Stand Out, Ukulele Festival, Auckland Chamber Music Contest, and Award Ceremonies.
They are given the opportunity to expand their knowledge of music notation, literacy of music and develop their performance skills.
The activities involve students preparing for solo and group performances, broadening their knowledge of music elements and devices, composing both individually and collaboratively, and researching different genres and periods of music history. The course is designed to prepare students for NCEA Level One music as well as offering students the opportunity to develop their self-confidence, creativity, and ability to work collaboratively.
At all levels the students have the opportunity to perform as a soloist and as a member of a group, compose either individually or collaboratively, research and analyse music works and develop their aural skills.
The programme of study at Level 1 is based around the study of music works which is linked to the external assessment and live concerts available in Auckland.
At Level 2 the students choose between a course dominated by either the Making Music or the Music Studies domains.
In Level 3 the course is based on a theme which influences the topic choices students make to complete their chosen Achievement Standards.
The Ministry of Education fund a small number of hours for the tuition of instrumental music. This involves specialist teachers coming to the school to give small group tuition to selected students. The students are timetabled to have their lesson during school hours.
Students are able to apply to learn an instrument each year and once they have reached a certain standard are encouraged to join a co-curricular group. This is a great opportunity to learn an instrument.
