Music

Music at Hutt Valley High School

Hutt Valley High School offers high quality, free tuition on a wide range of instruments. Students taking music instrumental lessons through school will be expected to take an active part a co-curricular music group at HVHS. Through these activities, students use the skills learned in lessons and improve at a faster rate.

Beginners are welcome on all instruments. For general enquiries please email the Music Department at music@hvhs.school.nz

Register Now for Music Lessons in 2025

Registrations for music lessons are open year-round. Beginners are welcome on all instruments. Please see the list of instruments offered below. Please click on the link below to register for music lessons in 2025.

Application Form – Music Lessons in 2025

Instruments Offered

  • Bass Guitar
  • Cello
  • Clarinet
  • Double Bass
  • Drums
  • Flute
  • French Horn
  • Guitar
  • Percussion
  • Saxophone
  • Trombone
  • Trumpet
  • Viola
  • Violin
  • Voice

Music Lessons & Instrument Hireage

  • Tuition is free. The only cost is to hire an instrument.
  • The hire cost for these instruments is $100 per year.
  • Available instruments for hire: cellos, violins, violas, clarinets, saxophones, oboes, trombones, and trumpets.
  • Instruments not available to hire: bass guitars, double basses, ukuleles, guitars, pianos, and drum kits.
  • Expectations for students:
    • Participation – all students learning an instrument or taking voice lessons at HVHS are expected to be involved in an HVHS music group for the year.
    • Missed classwork – students are responsible for catching up on any classwork missed due to lessons.
    • Commitment – students will undertake to practice regularly, attend lessons and participate in group rehearsals every week.
  • Lesson information:
    • Tuition will be in pairs or small groups.
    • Lessons are 30 minutes each week during the normal school day.
    • To minimise disruption, times are rotated so students do not miss the same subject each week.
  • Payment information:
    • Instrument hire fees are to be paid to the Resource Centre.

Music Groups

Our music groups are open to all students, and they perform at school and community events, including assemblies, annual Music Department concerts, St Marks Church lunchtime concert series, and a number of local aged care homes.  

Our music groups compete at regional and national competitions including:

  • The Big Sing
  • RockQuest
  • Tangata Beats
  • Young Singers In Harmony Barbershop Competition
  • Manawatu Jazz Festival
  • New Zealand Chamber Music Contest

If you would like to form your own music band or chamber group email the Music Department at music@hvhs.school.nz

‍Music Groups Timetable for 2025

Chamber ensemble rehearsals are organised once group members are confirmed in Term 1, 2025.

Music Ensembles & Bands

Please contact music@hvhs.school.nz for more information about ensembles at Hutt Valley High School. 

Barbershop Chorus

Staff contact – David Brooks

Sing in four-part harmony with a chorus of voices. Open to all students, this group attends the regional Young Singers in Harmony Competition annually. Barbershop Chorus meets on Wednesdays in M1 at 3:30pm.

Barbershop Quartet

Staff contact – David Brooks

This group is an auditioned ensemble with members continuing from the previous year. This group attends the regional Young Singers in Harmony Competition annually. Students wanting to audition for this ensemble will need to speak directly to David Brooks. Barbershop Quartet meets on Fridays at 11:00am in M1.

More than one quartet can be formed if there are enough students and a range of voices.

Chamber Music Trio/Ensemble

Staff contact – Jhan Lindsay

These groups are formed and rehearse throughout the week with a variety of teachers.

Instrument combinations for specific ensembles are created and rehearsed to participate in the New Zealand Chamber Music Competition. Examples of groups that were formed in 2024 include: Piano Treit, Piano Trio, Guitar Quartet and Woodwind Ensemble.

Instruments that can audition are, but not limited to – piano, violin, cello, viola, flute, clarinet, saxophone, guitar, oboe, piccolo, bassoon, double bass, trumpet and trombone. 

Rehearsal times and venues are arranged with group members and tutors. Performance opportunities are abundant throughout the year, both in and out of school. 

Flute Troupe

Staff contact – Gemma McIlroy

Flute players are welcome to join this group to play a variety of music styles. All levels of playing experience are invited.  Flute Troupe meets on Tuesdays at 11:00am in M2.

Guitar Ensemble

Staff contact – Jhan Lindsay

Are you keen to pick up some guitar skills and play with a group of guitar-loving students? Come along and learn everything from Appalachian ballads to contemporary classical duet arrangements. Guitar Ensemble meets on Wednesdays at 11:00am in M1, all students are welcome to join.

Jazz Band

Staff contact – Chris Buckland

A large swinging ensemble learning the foundations of performing Jazz music. The lineup of instrumental players changes each year. Students interested in participating in this ensemble will need to speak directly to Chris Buckland in audition for a place. Jazz Band meets on Wednesdays at 1:30pm in M1.

Passport to Play Band Programme

Staff contact – Jhan Lindsay

Students interested in forming a band, learning to set up gear, and running productive band rehearsals are welcome to join this session. Participating students will work through a checklist of technical skills and demonstrate proper care for the gear. Once these requirements are met, you can run your band rehearsals from 3:30-4:30pm on Tuesday afternoons.

This is open to all students and focuses on meeting like-minded peers who want to make and play in a band, learn technical skills, and maintain the gear used in a band setting. Come along to the Passport to Play Band Programme on Tuesdays at 3:30pm in the Music Department.

Poco a Poco

Staff contact – Jhan Lindsay

Guitar quartet focusing on classical technical playing aspects and a diverse repertoire. Performances include New Zealand Chamber Music Competition, HVHS Acoustic Concert and school events.  Students interested in auditioning for this group directly with Jhan Lindsay. Poco o Poco meets on Tuesdays at 11:00am in M1.

Senior Bands

Staff contact – Whaea Grace Wright

This is a rehearsal session for students taking Senior Performance Music at HVHS. You need to be taking Year 12 or 13 Performance Music with Whaea Grace to attend. Senior Bands meets in the Music Department (M1 & M2) on Fridays at 3:30pm.

String Orchestra

Staff contact – Alex Vaatstra & Katriona MacDonald

Violin, viola, cello and double bass make up this group. Led by Alex Vaatstra, our violin and viola teacher, this ensemble welcomes players of all levels and experience. Throughout the year this ensemble performs multiple times for school and community concerts. The String Orchestra is open to all students, and they meet on Thursdays at 1:30pm in M1.

Toot Suite

Staff contact – Chris Buckland

Woodwind quartet, featuring saxophones. Students in this group will have taken lessons for at least 1-2 years and be committed to developing ensemble skills and performance experience. Toot Suite is an auditioned group that meets on Wednesdays at 8:30am in M2.

Ukulele Ensemble

Staff contact – Nicholas Kovacev

All students are welcome to join this ensemble. The date and time this group will meet will be confirmed at the start of Term 1, 2025.

Volante

Staff contacts – Ruth Armishaw & Nicholas Kovacev

Enhance your life and others by singing in a group. Volante is a choir/vocal ensemble that all students are welcome to join.

Led by the energetic and engaging Ruth Armishaw and accompanied by the exceptional Nicholas Kovacev, Volante offers the opportunity to develop your vocal technique and skill, learn a diversity of songs, and sing in harmony. Volante will participate in The Big Sing and also perform at multiple events throughout the year.