Music

There are a great many musical activities on offer to students at Nelson College for Girls beyond the classroom. School years are a wonderful time to learn a musical instrument and students who practise hard have the chance to learn a skill that will stay with them for life.  We have 17 specialist music teachers who deliver lessons on the following instruments:

Piano, keyboard, guitar (acoustic, bass, electric), brass (horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba), woodwind (flute, clarinet, saxophone), strings (violin, viola, cello and double bass), drum kit, voice (classical and popular).

Beyond the classroom there are many ways to become involved and below are photos of the main groups that rehearse weekly in school. Students are also encouraged to form their own groups and can use school facilities on request.

STELLA NOVA

This is the school’s principal choir. It is auditioned and performs at the highest standard, even competing at a national level recently. Every year this choir participates in the Big Sing choral festival and performs at all major school formal occasions. Stella Nova attempts a challenging range of repertoire from around the world and really explores the complex possibilities of singing in harmony.

BEL CANTO

Bel Canto is our school’s open choir, with students from Years 9-13 participating.  This choir also takes part in the Big Sing choral festival in June, though in a less competitive way than Stella Nova. Bel Canto sings a range of music from pop to classical.

PREPARATORY SCHOOL CHOIR

This group meets weekly during lunchtime and performs at the end of each term at the Preparatory School merit assembly. The repertoire is mainly popular music, and the girls sing beautifully in harmony with each other. Sometimes they even form a band to accompany themselves.

ORCHESTRA

This group is mainly string based with a few wind players. Meeting on Friday mornings before school, they learn a range of pieces mainly in the classical genre.  This group is open to students who have been learning their instrument for three years or more and ranges from Years 7-13 depending on ability.

SAXOPHONE GROUP

This intermediate/ advanced group meets throughout the first two terms of the year in preparation for the Chamber Music Competition. They are highly successful and even perform pieces of music written by members of the group.

FLUTE GROUP

This group is for intermediate/ advanced flute players. They meet during lunchtime and play relatively complex pieces of music that are fun and light-hearted. At times this group has taken part in the Chamber Music Competition.

BRASS ENSEMBLE

The Brass group is a regular feature of music concerts in school. They take part in the Chamber Music competition and many members are involved with regional and national brass groups.

JAZZ BAND

This is Nelson College for Girl’s premiere ensemble and performs at the highest standard. They have performed for the Governor General and are regional winners of the Big Band section of the Nelson Jazz competition. The Jazz band has fantastic singers and musicians and regularly travels to events around the country. This year a junior jazz group has been formed and we look forward to seeing their progress during.

ROCK BANDS

We encourage and support students to form bands in school.  Recently our students have had great success in the Rockquest competition, making the National shortlists in the categories ‘best band’ and ‘best female musician’.

CONCERT BAND

This is a great ensemble for junior brass and wind players to join. It is a great training band and caters for beginner to intermediate players irrespective of year level. It’s fun and friendly and a great way to learn how to make music with others.