BACKA change to the Orange Traffic Light setting in time for Term 2 enabled us to go ahead with many of our usual competitions and events in some capacity. Music lessons for wind, brass, and vocals were able to move from their outdoor gazebos to indoor studios keeping doors and windows open.
Jazz Programme
Our first live performance since August 2021 was “Jazz at Orange” on 29th May. This Sunday afternoon event was a great way to showcase work in progress by our twelve co-curricular and curriculum jazz ensembles, and despite not having the cosy café vibe of our usual Jazz Club event, an audience of over 220 donned their masks and braved the windy weather to come and support the performers.
On 20th-21st June, three jazz ensembles travelled to Tauranga for the 44th National Youth Jazz Competition. Big Band, North Sea Combo, and Montreux Combo each came away with a Gold Award and several of the students (along with Mr Cho) were interviewed at the event. This was the first time in many years that Rangitoto College has entered the Tauranga competition and it was great to compete alongside a record number of schools from across the country. Thank you to our jazz parents for their support of this venture, and for enduring the later-than-expected pick-up time on Tuesday night.
Rock Programme
Our rock bands and songwriters have been creating and polishing their original songs for presentation at Smokefree Rockquest, with 10 Rangitoto bands and three duos entering the 2022 competition. Year 11 band, Erosion (Joel Bird, Robert Kim, Jake Ellis, Ted Salmon, Caleb Wright) and Year 10 band, Mind Overdrive (Alexia Rudd from Rangitoto and fellow band members from Mahurangi College) qualified for the North Shore Regional Finals and have since been making videos of two original songs with the help of music staff. This year the regional finals will be adjudicated from video submission, instead of the usual live event at the Dorothy Winstone Centre.
Choral Programme
Our choirs had a bumpy start to the year with restrictions due to traffic lights, and much disruption to rehearsals with students and staff in and out of isolation. Despite these challenges, Cambiata, Serenata, and The Fundamentals all took part in the Auckland Regional NZCF Big Sing Choral Festival at Auckland Town Hall. Our singers very much enjoyed watching choirs from other schools and encouraging their fellow choristers, and a highlight was the numerous alumni choir members who came along to support Rangitoto College in the daytime recital sessions. Serenata and The Fundamentals are on the reserves list for the Upper North Island Cadenza competition.
Orchestral and Concert Band Programme
On Sunday 3rd July, our five co-curricular orchestral and concert band ensembles presented their annual Concerto and Cookies showcase (complete with a mouth-watering selection of cookies for the audience to take home, courtesy of Rangitoto College Food Technology students and staff). Photos of this event will be included in the next edition of Vista (and on our Facebook page soon after the event).
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