Music

The Music Department offers a diverse range of musical opportunities at all year levels. It prides itself on the high calibre of music staff, most of whom are practising musicians and industry professionals.

Curriculum

Students study a core course in music in Year 7 and can take music as an option from Year 8. From Years 11-13, students have the option of studying NCEA Music (Classical and jazz, Music Projects, Rock and Contemporary) or International Baccalaureate Music. 

Private Lessons

We offer lessons in the following: 

Click here to enrol in Private Music lessons

After School Group Lessons

Sign up for our After School Group Music Lessons to learn an instrument in a small group of 3-4 like-minded students. Click here to enrol now.

Music Ensembles

• ORCHESTRA – Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, String Ensemble
• BAND – Concert Band, Wind Band
• CHAMBER – Trios, Quartets Quintets, Octets
• CHOIR – Kentoris Premier Choir, All comers Choir, Boys Choir
• JAZZ – Big Band, Stage Band, Jazz Combos
• PIPE – Pipe bands 1, 2 and drums
• ROCK– Rock bands
• PRODUCTION BAND - accompanying the school productions

Watch the highlights of our musicians performing their pieces for KBB. You can watch the entire playlist here - https://bit.ly/33OFIle

Music Events

• Jazz Café
• Choral Showcase
• Chamber Music Showcase
• Rock Showcase
• Large Ensembles Showcase
• Middle School Solo Music Competition
• Middle School Music Evening
• House Music
• Rock the Quad
• Senior School Solo Music Competition

Music Successes

We are one of the best music departments in the country and with some of the best music directors in Auckland, our premier ensembles were able to achieve the following results:

• KBB Music Festival – Triple Gold & Gala performances 2020, best ever single-school result
• Chamber Music Contest- National semifinalists 2019-2020 as fully SKC formed group
• Big Sing Auckland Regional- Runner-Up, Best SATB choir
• Big Sing National Finale- Silver Award 2018-19
• National Concert Band Festival- Gold Award
• Auckland Jazz Festival- Silver for Big Band & Combo 2019
• Rockquest Auckland Regional finalists for group and solo/duo

Our individual musicians audition successfully for regional and national ensembles such as NZ Secondary Schools Choir, National Youth Choir, National Youth Symphonic Winds, National Secondary Schools Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra. Individual competitive successes include winners of the Wallace Junior Piano Competition, National Concerto finalist and oversea invitation of masterclass participation.

House Music

Our annual, sell-out House Music Evening brings seven large House Choirs and one from the boarding house with over 200 students per choir, together to the stage, all vying for the coveted House Music Cup.

Each House also showcases their most talented musicians in the ‘band’ competition. This is always a fun evening for students and parents alike  - in honour of their love of singing and the thrill of performing in a professional venue.

The Pipes and Drums of Saint Kentigern:

Saint Kentigern Pipes and Drums have taken on the role of cultural ambassadors for Saint Kentigern since 1958; performing at ceremonial occasions on all campuses, welcoming guests to the College and lending support to our top sporting teams at important events.

The band regularly appears in public in and around the Auckland area. Also travelling much further afield to compete, they make their pilgrimage to Scotland to tour, perform and take part in Scottish competitions and Tattoos and more recently, the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland.

Wearing the Hunting McFarlan tartan in honour of our founding Headmaster, the Pipes and Drums are a special cultural feature and a proud tradition at the College. Saint Kentigern is one of only three Colleges in New Zealand to offer tuition in both Piping and drumming.