October 12, 2022
Rangi Ruru Girls’ School in Christchurch has a vibrant, well-resourced music department with a wide range of learners, from those starting out on their musical journey through discovery and exploration to those who arrive at Rangi Ruru with high levels of prior learning, motivation, and a full commitment to their music learning.
In my role as Director of Music, I have been privileged to work alongside many talented young musicians. I have been part of a team that has guided these students in their musical journeys through exposure to a wide range of music, giving them breadth as well as the depth of knowledge and critical thinking skills to enable them to succeed in the demanding and highly competitive NZQA Music Scholarship examination – particularly as performers. It goes without saying that a high level of technical proficiency on instrument/voice is essential for this examination, along with natural musicality and a desire to work hard to reach the highest levels of performance and musical understanding that each individual can.
As an educator, I do not have a ‘formula’ that guarantees a portfolio be awarded a Scholarship in Music. However, below are some areas, all interrelated, that I consider with students and their instrumental/vocal teachers in support of scholarship performance portfolios. Many of the ideas below can easily be adapted to portfolios in composition or musicology.
Words by: Janet Kingsbury
BIO: Janet Kingsbury has been Director of Music at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School in Christchurch since 2003. She has a particular interest and strength in chamber music, orchestral music, musical theatre direction – including musically directing West Side Story, Cats, Evita and Jesus Christ Superstar – and academic music as well. In 2017 she received an ISNZ honours award for service to Music Education. Rangi Ruru students have enjoyed success in NZQA scholarship music, including three Top Scholar Awards and several Outstanding Scholar awards in recent years, in addition to recognition in national secondary school competitions and representation in the NZSO National Youth Orchestra, NZ Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra and NZ Secondary Students’ Choir.
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