Tuition Schemes
Here at Pirongia School we are passionate about music. So much so that we offer after school lessons in several instruments, at a fraction of the price that one would expect to pay privately. We are fortunate to have qualified for Ministry of Education funding over the last few years to help keep these costs down.

Our tutors are music students themselves, either studying at Waikato University, Wintec or local high schools, with some even having been students at Pirongia School in the past.

Lessons
We offer lessons in the following (depending on numbers of students interested):

• Flute
• Saxophone
• Clarinet
• Brass (trumpet/cornet/trombone)
• Bass Guitar

Students who learn these instruments are expected to be part of the School Symphonic Band, with the exception of bass guitar, where students are selected based on seniority and experience, as we are only able to accommodate a small number of bass players in the band. Commitment to lessons and to the band is year-long.

• We also offer lessons in guitar, with students performing in Term Four to showcase their learning.

Symphonic Band
This is where all the learning comes together. Both beginners and experienced players are part of this group where pieces are selected to accommodate the range of abilities. It is always amazing to see the students rise to the challenges of playing in a large group. Traditionally the band rehearses on a Friday in the middle block of the day.

Opportunities to perform:
We attend the Waikato Intermediate and Full Primary Schools’ Band and Orchestra Festival in Term 3 each year, as well as performing to the community in Term 3 and 4. We attend invitation events (such as the Winter Show and Save the Children Fundraiser), and tour local schools at the end of the year.

Jazz Band
The most skilled players are invited to join the Jazz Band which also rehearses on a Friday. This group takes part in the Festival, and also competes in the Ensemble section of the Te Awamutu Competitions in the Term 3 holidays.

Rock Bands
This opportunity is available to Year 7 & 8 students. Generally these are made up of one of each of the following instruments: drums, bass guitar, electric guitar (sometimes 2), and keyboard where desired; with several singers. Rock Bands are usually formed amongst friends, keeping in mind the balance of instruments and singers. The music teacher has the last word in the final combinations.

Pulse:
Each year two elite rock bands are formed to take part in the Intermediate version to the Rock Quest – Pulse. This is usually held at the end of Term 2 or the beginning of Term 3.

Tech Arts Music
Tech Arts lessons take place on a Thursday for Year 7 & 8 students. Currently Pirongia School offers six different areas of learning in the Arts and Technology; these are: Music, Art, Drama, Food, Wood, Fabric.

Students from D Team are organised into six groups, three Year 7 and three Year 8, with each group attending one cycle of each of the subjects offered. A cycle lasts around nine weeks.

Music Classes:
In Music we aim to give students a go at being part of a rock band, with the emphasis being on trying something new and group skills.

Throughout the cycle the learning experiences to build confidence and skills are likely to include such ideas as:

• Looking at what music is
• Listening skills – encouraging an appreciation of a broad range of styles and types of music
• Instrument identification through listening
• Group skills
• Composing pieces of music
• Polyrhythms
• Use of glockenspiel and percussion instruments
• Rock Band – bass guitar, drums, guitar (acoustic and electric), basic keyboard

At the end of each cycle we showcase our learning by putting on a concert to the school, to which family and friends are warmly invited.

Back to the Top