Events:
Check out some of the festivals and competitions students are encouraged to take part in.
Forte is responsible for running the New Zealand Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra course
and the Canterbury Schools' Regional Orchestra. Read on.....
Chamber Music Contest 2023
The NZCT has provided a platform for thousands of Kiwi secondary school students to perform, for many this is their first experience of chamber ensemble performance.
Regional rounds from 6th June with finals in Christchurch on 5th August
Smokefree
RockQuest
Smokefreerockquest is New Zealand’s only nationwide, live, original music, youth event.
Smokefreerockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support original NZ music.
The Big Sing
2023
Once again, we look forward to hearing some wonderful live music from quality choirs and soloists!
Regionals will be held in Christchurch Town Hall 8-9th June 2023.
Finale on 25-27th June 2023 at the Auckland Town Hall.
Check the link below for the Big Sing Facebook page.
NZSO National Youth Orchestra
This year the NZSO are delighted that GRAMMY® Award-winning conductor Giancarlo Guerrero will conduct the 2023 Season. Repertoire will include Copland’s evocative Billy the Kid Suite and Elgar’s Enigma Variations, as well as a new work by 2023 Nathaniel Otley. The course dates for the 2023 project are 25 June – 01 July, with concerts in Wellington (30 June) and Auckland (01 July).
NZSSSO
2023
NZSSSO offers a valuable opportunity for some of New Zealand’s top secondary school orchestral musicians to represent their school, and receive the opportunity to experience playing in a full Symphony Orchestra. Students are selected by audition.
Applications for 2023 have closed now.
Course dates 10-15 April (school holiday wk 1)
Concert 15th April 2023
JazzQuest is an annual competition showcasing the quality of some of the country’s top secondary school jazz bands and musicians. It offers young jazz musicians a chance to mix, mingle with and challenge themselves against others from around New Zealand
Southern Jam
Southern Jam is the only event of its kind in the South Island. It's a great opportunity for young musicians to learn from other great, well respected musicians; and to be among the first to experience the South Island's next wave of musical talent.
Jazz Quest