Whanganui High School offers a wide range of Performing Arts for students to participate in.
Students are able to challenge themselves in many different areas - Dance, Drama, Music, Stage Challenge, Productions, Kapahaka, Pasifika; or even as a combination of several of these activities.
The purpose of the Chamber Music Contest is to encourage young musicians regardless of standard or experience, to perform together and strive towards excellence. It also aims to provide an opportunity for musical activities within schools to have a link with the wider community at both a local and national level. The New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest is the longest running youth music competition in New Zealand and is the only nationwide chamber music competition for young secondary school musicians and composers in the country.
Who can join: The annual Chamber Music Contest provides an opportunity for students of all levels and ages to form a group and enter the contest.
When: Contest is held in June.
Event: New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest
Cost: $20 entry fee per student
AwaSide is an all-comers, un-auditioned choir, for students who love to sing and are keen to develop their vocal abilities. We sing a range of styles and have a lot of fun along the way. Highlights for our choir include: three successful trips to Sydney to compete in the Australian International Music Festival where the choir has gained silver medals and the bronze award in the Cadenza Competition, part of the NZ Big Sing.
Who can join: All students
When: Rehearsals are held twice a week during breaks.
Event: NZ Choral Federation’s ‘The Big Sing Competition’. AwaSide competed at The Big Sing in Palmerston North in 2019 and were then selected to attend the NZCF’s Lower North Island Cadenza, where our school was awarded a Distinction. We also perform at various community and school events throughout the year.
Cost: Travel to The Big Sing
Click here to watch the video of AwaSide Choir practice for first Cadenza competition
Click here to watch the video of 2016 School Choir at Sydney Opera House
Image from: Whanganui Chronicle 16/08/19
Students are able to participate in New Zealand’s Interschool and Interstudio workshop and competition event. DanceNZmade philosophy is ‘Celebrating and encouraging the arts in any forms is one of life’s pleasures’. Whanganui High School has gained success in the DanceNZmade competition over the past years.
Who can join: Students can audition. Auditions are usually held Term Two.
When: Practice times vary, and are set once team formed.
Event: DanceNZmade competition (Regional and National levels)
Cost: Cost varies depending on number of dance routines
Kapa haka plays a vital role in the culture of our school and holds pride of place during the School's formal occasions with Waiata, Karakia and Pōwhiri. Kia Whaiora Kapa Haka rōpu, take part in the annual Aotea Regional Pae Rangatahi Competitions, with the goal of eventually heading to the National secondary school competition held every other year. Ko te tumanako ka tutuki tenei whainga. Karawhiua mai Kia Whaiora e!
Teacher-in-charge: Brooke Whanarere and Te Rangiotu Pewhairangi
Click here to view video of Kia Whaiora's performance at 2016 Performing Arts Concert
Image from: Rivercity Press 11/07/19
Outside of class time there’s plenty of scope for those who wish to learn an instrument. Music tuition is available upon request to students throughout the year. In any given year, some instruments are limited by student numbers and the availability of tutors. There are on-going assessments by tutors. External music exams may be taken by some students.
Instruments:
Who can join: All students
When: Students to come out of normal classes for 20-30 minutes per week.
Cost: The school provides information on instrumental hire and purchase early in year.
These popular outdoor lunchtime concerts are held every few weeks (weather permitting). Open Mics are advertised in the school notices and student sign up at the Student Centre. It is a chance to perform informally but still have an audience to support them.
Who can sign up: All year levels
When: Every few weeks (weather permitting)
Talofa lava, Malo ilelei, Bula Vinaka. Fanau Pasifika contributes a lively presence to the culture of our school. Our students have the opportunity to become leaders and valued team members, while celebrating and expressing themselves through culture, language and performance. Students involved in Pasifika develop confidence and discipline through preparing for, and performing, locally and regionally. The Pasifika Fusion is an event in Palmerston North, where students compete in a range of areas such as; wearable art, talent, quizzes, essay writing, speeches and cultural performances. A lot of time and hard work goes into preparing for this two day event, and is a highlight of the year for our Pasifika students.
Who join: All students.
When: Friday - Period 5 (2.30pm – 5.30pm)
Event: Pasifika Fusion
The Smokefreerockquest is an opportunity for students to participate in New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. The Rockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support 100% original New Zealand music. The categories you can enter in are either band or solo/duo acts.
Highlights for our Rockquest groups are:
When: Entries at start of year for the competition which begins in May.
Event: Smokefreerockquest
Whanganui High School alternates yearly between a Junior and school wide production. These have become a major highlight for students. From a lead on stage, to the chorus dancing to being a musician, to stage crew, to costume design. There is a part for all interested theatre fans.
Who can join:
When: Alternating years. Times vary, mostly evening and weekend rehearsals in the School Hall and/or Dance and Music Rooms
Teacher-in-charge:
Past productions include:
Each year, SGCNZ holds 24 festivals nationwide, in which secondary-age students from 11 to 19 years old perform 5 and 15 minute scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, set in any time, place, dress – in Shakespeare’s words.
Who can join: All students.
When: April of each year
Cost: $20 for transport
Events: SGCNZ University of Otago Sheilah Winn Regional Festival
Stage Art is a dance, drama and design spectacular where the students are the stars. It is part of a national event involving dance, design and drama reflecting the personalities, concerns, hopes, dreams and interests of students. Each performance runs between five and eight minutes and is set to a medley of published and recorded music tracks. It is where students work together with parents, teachers and their local community to create their performance. Hours of rehearsal and hard work result in a performance to thousands of audience members across New Zealand.
Highlights for our Stage Art groups are:
DanceNZMade Stage Art
Smokefree Stage Challenge
Who can join: All year groups by audition
When: It runs generally in Term 2 of every alternate year to our major Production year.
Event: DanceNZmade Stage Art competition in Palmerston North
Cost: $60-$100 cost may vary
Photo from Whanganui Chronicle 10/09/18
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Last Reviewed: May 27, 2021
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