The following extra curricular music opportunities are available at Northcote intermediate. Please get in touch with me (bronwynb@ni.school.nz) to express interest and encourage your tamariki to engage with our daily notices for schedules.
JUNIOR CONCERT BAND PROGRAMME
(Beginners – Woodwind/Brass Instruments Only)
This is our most involved Music programme that requires hard work – yielding spectacular results. Instrument hire and lessons are offered free. There is a small cost for a lesson book and equipment. Pupils need to practise at home daily for 10-20 minutes, and the whānau need to be prepared for the tooting! There is a weekly lesson during school time with a tutor and we also meet together as a group for coaching. “Band practice,” begins in term 3 adding an additional practice – Wednesdays 4 – 4:45pm. Please do not sign your child up just to “give it a try” as this is a two year commitment. Let Mrs Babbage know ASAP if you are interested in this programme. Places are usually given on a first come, first served basis unless we are oversubscribed.
SCB PROGRAMME
Senior Concert Band is the second year of our concert band programme but if you are new to NIS, and your child already plays a wind instrument and has lessons outside of school – we would love them to join us!
BANDQUEST BANDS
Time Critical – Auditions Start as soon as it is viable in Term 1
Do you have a budding Pop/Rock Star or Rapper? Organise them to prepare an audition piece! Singers need to be able to sing to a crowd, others need to be able to play an instrument already – beginners and advanced players are both considered. Bass Guitar, Guitar (acoustic or electric), Keyboard/Piano, Drums, Violin, Cello, Wind instruments are all welcome to audition. The Bandquest Night is usually half way through Term 3 – so keep the dates free!
DRUM CLUB
Drummers are auditioned to ensure they have a good sense of beat etc. The group has a mix of experienced drummers and absolute beginners. Practices will be Monday or Tuesday mornings. The drum group plays a variety of individual drums (not drumkit) and percussion instruments. They compose their own pieces and also try drumming styles from around the globe.
AWATAHA SOUL (CHOIR)
Practices are every Tuesday morning. No auditions required. Singers will have an additional opportunity to audition for solo or harmony parts.
MUSIC EXTENSION
If your child is a confident singer or musician they can apply to be considered for a songwriting extension class. Songs are composed by individuals or groups and if completed in term 1 will be recorded and submitted for the DepotSound Songwriting competition.
INSTRUMENTS AVAILABLE TO LEARN
“Private Lessons” means about $20 – $40 per week
Trombone: Free through the NIS Concert Band Programme
Trumpet: Free through the NIS Concert Band Programme
Clarinet: Free through the NIS Concert Band Programme
Saxophone: Free through the NIS Concert Band Programme
Flute: Free through the NIS Concert Band Programme
Singing: Private lessons with Lisa Hawkins – Musiqhub
Guitar / Bass / Drums: $Private lessons with Paul Barry/Travis Dearden – MusiqHub
Or Adrian Wong / Chenny Chen – Music Education Centre
Piano / Keyboard: Private lessons with Music Education Centre
KAPA HAKA
Our Kapa Haka rōpu will practice together on the same afternoon as our Te Ao Māori curriculum slot. Additionally, keen and able tamariki who elect to be kapa haka leaders will meet weekly at a lunchtime to help choose performance material, and preparing to lead performances.
TE REO AND TIKANGA MAORI
For 2025, every Tuesday afternoon there will be a structured Te Ao Māori slot in our school timetable. Classes will explore local history, te reo Māori language, culture and special events in the Māori calendar. Kapa Haka will practice in this timeslot also.
