Hugh Stevenson

Welcome to the Burnside High School Music Department, and thank you for your enquiry. In this website you will find information which I hope will answer your initial questions.

Unique in a New Zealand school is the range of music courses available. Read more about the Specialist Music Programme for students of outstanding musical talent. For many years now, the school has offered Performance Music classes at years nine and ten for students of greater musical experience. For those students starting on the road of musical discovery, an optional music programme will be provided for all year nine and ten students from the beginning of 2010.

The Music Department at Burnside has an outstanding reputation in New Zealand. Over 30 groups rehearse each week in the department or the adjacent Aurora Centre for the Performing Arts.

Senior choral music, now under the leadership of Chris Bruerton and Sue Densem has a long tradition of excellence. Bel Canto girls’ choir has won many medals over recent years, including the supreme ‘Platinum Award’ at the 2007 Big Sing. Other senior choirs, Male Voice Chorus and Magna Voce have also enjoyed success. The Aurora Voices under the leadership of Sue Densem has developed as the finest junior choral ensemble in the city of Christchurch, being in demand for a large range of performances. The Male Voice Chorus and Aurora Voices represented our school in the final of the Big Sing in 2008.

Instrumental music including Orchestra, Chamber Music groups, Percussion Ensemble, Concert Bands and Jazz Bands provide goals and challenges for 500 committed students. The fully auditioned orchestra of 85 players is recognised as the premier large ensemble of the school. Students of the Specialist Music Programme have the opportunity of performing in a Chamber Music Group each year. In 2008, three of the eight groups in the national final of the Schools’ Chamber Music Competition were from Burnside High School.

Read on to meet some of the staff in the music department. Also noted are recent successes of the Burnside music students.

I am happy to answer any questions that you may have about Music at Burnside. Send an email to st@burnside.school.nz