Music at Warkworth School
Warkworth School offers a wide range of musical activities to enhance and support learning opportunities for the students at our school. As well as the classroom music programmes, the syndicates take turns to put on musicals so that each child can experience the thrill of performance and success with the rest of their year group.
Music Lessons
Four itinerant teachers work at our school in our music rooms. During the week children are able to learn piano, drums, flute, clarinet, saxophone or guitar from the specialist teachers. Lessons are either individual lessons or small group lessons depending on the instrument and the level of the student. There is the opportunity to study for Trinity College exams if the students wish. Children have their lessons during the school day. Advanced musicians are invited to play in the APPA orchestra which performs in the Auckland Town Hall. It is a wonderful experience for these children to play with able musicians from the greater Auckland area.
Music Information 2019
Itinerant Music Teachers:
Danny Crocome - 021 902 526 - Acoustic and Electric Guitar
Chris James - 021 102 6466 or email:
chris@james.gen.nz - Piano, Drums, Saxophone, Senior Flute
Jackie Niccolls - 425 7942 or 021 251 0058 or email: niccolls42@slingshot.co.nz - Clarinet, Junior Flute
Heather Rees - 425 8707 or 021 126 8868 - Guitar (acoustic & electric)
Performing Groups
There are several performing groups open to the children in our senior area (Years 4-6).
CHOIR is always the most popular group and numbers may be from 100 - 120 each year! The choir practise weekly and sing regularly in the community and at public concerts. The yearly highlight is leading the Warkworth Carols by Candlelight with the Warkworth Brass Band and local singers in Lucy Moore Park.
BAND is made up of our brass and woodwind players and an advanced drummer. They perform for their parents and the rest of the school at special performance concerts and at an end of year recital. Pianists and drummers have their own recital for parents and families at the end of Term 3. Every year there is a school Rock Band as well. This group includes vocalists, electric guitars, drums and keyboard.
KAPA HAKA is another large group that practice weekly with specialist teachers and a Maori tutor. They perform at school, in the community and annually at the Kaipara Festival.
THE PASIFIKA GROUP is made up of our I-Kiribati, Tongan,Tuvaluan, Samoan and Solomon Island children and practices traditional singing and dancing weekly at school. They have performed many times in public around town.
WARKWORTH IDOL has run for several years now during term one. Entries are open to all senior children. Contestants can sing with a CD, play an instrument, dance or perform an original item. This is very popular and over 100 children enter each year. The practices and actual Idol competition are done during the lunch hours and the judges are always impressed by the confidence and talent of the children. It is a fun event with guest judges from the local community and prizes.
We are proud of the opportunities we offer our students. Please contact our itinerant music teachers directly (contact details listed above). They will always be happy to discuss your child's needs and wishes with you to make the musical experience the most suitable for your child.
" You don't have to be great to get started ... but you have to get started to be great!" Les Brown