Nayland College choirs are singing in harmony again after receiving a $4,522 grant from the NZCT to cover the cost of a digital piano.
The Nayland College choirs desperately needed a high-quality, transportable digital piano in order to practice and perform at concerts, festivals, and community events. It will also be used in musical productions at the Theatre Royal and made available for community groups (such as the Civic Choir) to use when performing and rehearsing at the coeducational state secondary school in Nelson.
Principal Daniel Wilson comments, “Our music programmes have been developing over many years and our school choirs have been particularly successful recently, gaining several awards at the regional ‘Big Sing’ competition. In 2021, they performed at the Blenheim Festival, with the ‘NayCol Chorale’ winning two of the three categories and a ‘Highly Commended’ award.”
Principal Daniel Wilson
“We have several music modules offered at Year 9 and 10, catering for a variety of musical experience and interests, and providing the fundamental classical and contemporary training for our upcoming budding musicians. Our junior music programmes effectively prepare students to study NCEA music as well as offering opportunities for students to extend their talents beyond the classroom. At Years 11, 12 and 13, music is a progressive and practical course concentrating on performance, composition, aural skills, and musical knowledge.”
“In conjunction with the Nayland College School of Music, we also offer students the chance to learn a musical instrument through our itinerant music programme. With specialist tutors, regular ensembles, and highly qualified staff, the programme engages and supports students with an interest in developing musical performance skills. It's a recommended add-on for those who are interested in developing more comprehensive skills that will provide a strong platform for future success in music.”
“When Nayland College was founded in 1966, it offered students from Nelson an opportunity to learn in a creative co-educational environment. As we move forward, we're taking the best of our past and merging it with a fresh vision for our future with a clear, professional focus on meeting the learning needs of young adults in the 21st Century.”
Daniel Wilson