About Us
Burnside High School is a large co-educational, state high school with a roll of approximately 2600 students. The BHS Music Programme has been a strong part of the culture of the school since BHS opened in 1960. In 1995, music study at BHS was radically overhauled with the introduction of the Specialist Music Programme (SMP).
The Specialist Music Programme offers a high quality performance-based music education for gifted and talented students. At BHS, the SMP cohort typically comprises 90 – 100 gifted and talented musicians across five year levels (student ages 13 to 18 years) within the school population.
SMP students are expected to study music as a curriculum subject for at least four years, and attend regular instrument-specific workshops. All SMP students are placed in both small and large performing ensembles specific to their instrument and are required to have at least one individual instrumental or vocal lesson per week from an approved specialist teacher.
The majority of these students progress into tertiary music study when they leave high school.
SMP Strings
Tutors: Carlo Ballara, Jeremy Garside, Heleen du Plessis
The SMP Strings programme runs on Tuesdays, from 3.00pm – 4.30pm. Workshop content includes:
• Solo Masterclasses
• Orchestral Repertoire Classes
• Technical Forum
• Ensemble Playing
• Audition Preparation
• Performance Practices e.g Baroque Music/Period Instruments
In addition to the SMP workshops, all SMP Strings students participate in Chamber Music. This involves weekly rehearsals with a specialist tutor during term 1 and 2 of each year. All chamber music groups enter the Chamber Music New Zealand Contest, held in June.
All SMP Strings students are placed in the Burnside High School Orchestra and are required to attend rehearsals on Thursday each week, at lunchtime and after school until 4.30pm.
SMP Strings students will present both a mid-year and end-of-year recital. This may include solo work, duets and chamber music.
SMP Piano
Tutors: Tim Emerson, Yiyi Ku
The SMP Piano programme runs on Wednesdays from 2.45-4.15pm. Workshop content includes:
• Solo Masterclasses
• Technical Forum
• Accompanying Skills
• Duet/Ensemble playing
In addition to the SMP workshops, all SMP Piano students participate in Chamber Music. This involves weekly rehearsals with a specialist tutor during term 1 and 2 of each year. All chamber music groups enter the Chamber Music New Zealand Contest, held in June. All SMP pianists will be expected to take on accompanying work for one of the school’s choirs when ready and required.
SMP Piano students will present both a mid-year and end-of-year recital. This may include solo work, duets and chamber music.
SMP Voice
Tutor: Lois Johnston
The SMP Vocal programme runs on Thursdays from 3.00-4.30pm.
The SMP programme for singers is a five-year programme designed to develop all aspects of vocal performance and prepare the students for future opportunities in singing.
Areas covered include:
• Technique
• Vocal mechanics and anatomy
• Song preparation and interpretation
• History of vocal music (classical and contemporary commercial music)
• Acting for singers
• Languages for singers
• Notational reading and keyboard skills
Students are presented in recital twice each year and have many other performance opportunities in choirs, small ensembles, and productions.
SMP Brass
Tutors: Karl Margevka, Emma Eden
The SMP Brass programme runs on Tuesdays from 3.00-4.30pm. Workshop content includes:
• Solo Masterclasses
• Orchestral Repertoire Classes
• Technical Forum
• Ensemble Playing
• Audition Preparation
• Research and Presentation on a given topic
In addition to the SMP workshops, all SMP Brass students participate in Chamber Music. This involves weekly rehearsals with a specialist tutor during term 1 and 2 of each year. All chamber music groups enter the Chamber Music New Zealand Contest, held in June.
All SMP Brass students are required to play in one of the school’s large ensembles e.g Symphonic Band (un-auditioned group, rehearsals each Tuesday lunchtime), Big Band (auditioned group, rehearsals on Mondays after school until 4.30pm) and Orchestra (auditioned group, rehearsals on Thursdays at lunchtime and after school until 4.30pm).
SMP Brass students will present both a mid-year and end-of-year recital. This may include solo work, duets and chamber music.
SMP Woodwind
Tutor: John Robinson
The SMP Woodwind programme runs on Tuesdays from 3.00-4.30pm. Workshop content includes:
• Solo Masterclasses
• Orchestral Repertoire Classes
• Technical Forum
• Ensemble Playing
• Audition Preparation
• Research and Presentation on a given topic
In addition to the SMP workshops, all SMP Woodwind students participate in Chamber Music. This involves weekly rehearsals with a specialist tutor during term 1 and 2 of each year. All chamber music groups enter the Chamber Music New Zealand Contest, held in June.
All SMP Woodwind students are required to play in one of the school’s large ensembles e.g Symphonic Band (un-auditioned group, rehearsals each Tuesday lunchtime), Big Band (auditioned group, rehearsals on Mondays after school until 4.30pm) and Orchestra (auditioned group, rehearsals on Thursdays at lunchtime and after school until 4.30pm).
SMP Woodwind students will present both a mid-year and end-of-year recital. This may include solo work, duets and chamber music.
SMP Jazz
Tutors: Cain Hood, Cameron Oswin, Jimmy Rainey, John Dierckz
The SMP Jazz programme runs on Wednesdays after school until 4.30pm.
The SMP Jazz course covers:
• Performance – each student is placed in a small combo which rehearses each week
• Jazz Theory (Scales, Chords, Modes)
• Improvisation skills
• Jazz History
• Research and Presentation on a given topic
All SMP Jazz combos perform in a number of Music Department events each year e.g Jazz Café, and compete in the Jazz Quest competition organised by ARA.
Combos may also travel to compete in jazz festivals within wider New Zealand e.g Wellington, Tauranga.
SMP Jazz students are also encouraged to audition for the school Big Band and/or Funk Band.