Music has a very high profile at St Peter’s College. The music faculty is housed in a modern building where there are excellent facilities, with a large classroom, instrumental tuition rooms, and advanced recording provisions.

Music is part of the curriculum for all boys in years 7 and 8. An Academy of Music had been established within the college to ensure the year 7 students receive the very best musical tuition, with the grand vision being every boy in the college will learn to play a musical instrument. The Annual Eisteddfod has long been a major feature in the Years 7 and 8 classes. For this event everyone takes part and a variety of talents is displayed and enjoyed by all.

In years 9 to 13 Music is an optional subject, and may be studied for the NCEA examinations.

Instrumental tuition is given by a range of highly qualified specialist instrument teachers, and enables all boys to learn a diverse range of string, woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Students are taking part in the many established instrumental groups in the college. They are Stage Band, Senior Concert Band, Senior Orchestra, Senior Choir, and the junior equivalents of those groups. The senior music groups are regularly involved in regional and national, and at times international competitions, with a history of regular high achievements. A Chamber Music program has also been established, and has become very popular with students.

Trinity College of London Music exams have been offered every year for a number of years now. It has proven a valuable tool to develop skills, and motivate students.

The highlight of the Music year is The Night of St Peter’s College Music, where the Music Department presents all aspects and levels of music at the college.
There are numerous other events within the school and outside the school that the Music Faculty participates in.

The Music Department recording studio has produced numbers of CD recordings for College groups and outside groups, including some international visitors.

The Music Department has a dynamic team of teachers which is supported by an energetic group of parents called The Friends of Music.

Calendar of Music events during the year includes St Peter’s College Stage Challenge, St Benedict’s Concert of Classical Music, Night of St Peter’s College Music, KBB Auckland Secondary Music Festival, National Concert Band Festival.

Occasional overseas trips are also undertaken including a trip to New Caledonia (2006) and Europe (2008).

Staff

Instrumental Teachers:

Music Academy Year 7

 Itinerant Instrumental Teachers Year 8 - 13:

Year 7-10 Music

Year 7 – 9 Music classes are based on a 7 week rotation.
During this time students must complete 10 tasks or units of work, which are assessed by either practical tests , written tests , or combination of both.

1) Developing Practical Knowledge in Music
Students will identify and experiment with a range of patterns, sound qualities and structural devices that will promote an understanding of the principles of music and notation.

2) Developing Ideas in Music
Students will improvise and compose simple musical pieces, and through aural training help improve their musical ear.

3) Communicating and Interpreting Music
Students will rehearse, present and evaluate musical performances.

4) Understanding Music in Context
Students will identify and compare musical styles

Year 9/10 special project using keyboards:

Year 10 develops these same tasks much further with more detail and understanding, in a course that lasts a whole year.

Blues: Focus on blues idiom
Theme and Variation – Focus on elements of music and variation
Chords and Melody – Composing short piece in ABAB form
Song writing - Focus on verse/chorus form and singing
Advertisement – Creating music “fit for a purpose”
Own Choice – Focus on performing skills

Year 11
NCEA level 1

Year 12
NCEA level 2

Year 13
NCEA level 3