MENZA

The Rodger Fox Workshops - December 16-19 in Wellington - jazz and beyond for students 19 and under
2024-12-16 09:00 - 2024-12-19 17:00 (Pacific/Auckland) | NZ School of Music, Gate 7, Kelburn Parade, Wellington, New Zealand
I am happy to announce that we be continuing the legacy of Rodger Fox’s association with summer jazz workshops in Wellington with a new initiative:
The Rodger Fox Workshops.
The Rodger Fox Workshops will take place December 16–19 at the New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī in Wellington, co-ordinated by Lance Philip, Daniel Hayles, Dave Wilson, Eilish Wilson, and Chris Beernink in association with the Aotearoa Jazz Education and Performance Trust.
Musicians age 19 and under with a minimum of one year experience on an instrument or in vocal training can participate. Students can choose trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet, flute, bass, piano, guitar, drums, vibraphone, or voice.
More information and registration info can be found at the Rodger Fox Workshops registration site 2.
Free free to download and print a hi-res pdf poster 1 with details on the workshop and a QR code to the registration page, to post for student information as appropriate.
Follow the Rodger Fox Workshops on Instagram or Facebook for the latest updates.
Any questions – email rodgerfoxworkshops@gmail.com.
The Rodger Fox Workshops
Jazz and beyond for students 19 and under
December 16–19, 2024
Coordinated by Lance Philip, Daniel Hayles, Dave Wilson, Eilish Wilson, and Chris Beernink
Level up your music game at the Rodger Fox Workshops, where young musicians from all over Aotearoa New Zealand come together to explore jazz and related music styles. You’ll work with some of New Zealand’s top musicians and educators in a supportive and inclusive setting, and you’ll advance your skills alongside other students your age from across the motu.
Here’s what’s in store:

small group ensembles led by professional musicians

developing improvisation skills in supportive settings

an introduction to music production

listening sessions that expand your skills

inclusive jam sessions where all are welcome

ensemble performances at the end of week concert

And more!

If you’re 19 or under with at least a year of experience on your instrument or in vocal training, you’re welcome to join. Choose from trumpet, trombone, saxophone, clarinet, flute, bass, piano, guitar, drums, vibraphone, or voice.
The workshops are held at the New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī at Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington. Follow the Rodger Fox Workshops on Instagram or Facebook for the latest updates. Email rodgerfoxworkshops@gmail.com with any questions.

Schedule
The workshops run 9:00am–4:30pm Monday through Thursday, with evening activities including concerts and our inclusive jam sessions Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Students perform in a closing concert on Thursday afternoon.
Accommodation
Students arrange their own accommodation. Often students from outside Wellington stay together in groups with a parent chaperone. Options for housing near Victoria University of Wellington include backpacker hostels and hotels. If you have a group of 15 or more, University Student Housing can been booked at Cumberland House. Contact info for this option is via email at Cumberland-House@vuw.ac.nz or by phone at +64 4 463 4770.
Meals
Lunch for the four days is available for purchase at many convenient locations on campus, or students may bring their own lunch.
Equipment
Provided equipment includes drum kits, guitar and bass amps, pianos/keyboards, microphones and PAs for vocalists.
All brass and wind players should bring their own instruments.
Drummers: you are required to bring your own cymbals, sticks, and hi-hat clutch.
Guitarists and bass players: you are required to bring your own instruments as well as cables (leads).
Preparation
All students with one year of experience on an instrument or in vocal training have the skills required to participate, so no musical preparation is required. On the first day, students will play a very short audition to be placed in an appropriate ensemble. Guidelines for this short audition will be sent to all registered participants in advance of the workshops.

Cost
Early bird price: $325 for all four days – register by 1 October
Standard price $350 – after 1 October
Registration is open to all until all spots are filled.
We are dedicated to ensuring all students can participate in the workshops without financial constraints. If the cost poses a barrier, please email us at rodgerfoxworkshops@gmail.com and we will find a solution to facilitate your participation.

Whakawhanaungatanga Hui in Wellington
2025-03-23 14:30 | Southern Cross Garden Bar Restaurant, 39 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington, Southern Cross Garden Bar Restaurant, 39 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington, New Zealand
Whakawhanaungatanga Hui in Wellington at Southern Cross Garden Bar Restaurant, 39 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington. All teachers welcome, food provided. A good chance to catch up with your local network of music teachers. Please register here.

MENZA Conference 2025 - Te Rito o Te Harakeke
2025-07-06 18:00 - 2025-07-09 15:00 | Massey University, Wellington, Wallace Street, Wellington
The MENZA Conference will be held at Massey University in Wellington, from Sunday 6 July – Wednesday 9 July 2025. Over the three days there will be opportunities to connect with music educators and institutions, to share knowledge and resources. And of course a conference dinner and social activities which you are welcome to attend if you wish and bring someone. We hope you will leave feeling confident, energised and inspired!

Sun 6 July
6pm conference registrations with drinks/nibbles
Mon 7 July
8am onwards welcome and conference & evening activity
Tues 8 July
9am onwards conference & dinner
Wed 9 July
9am-3pm, conference

Conference Fees (includes morning and afternoon tea, and lunch)
Participant 3 days PPTA PLD $390 MENZA
Participant 3 days PPTA PLD $425 NON-MENZA
Participant 3 days Primary/ECE $250 MENZA
Participant 3 days Primary/ECE $290 NON-MENZA
Student-teacher 3 days $150
One-day participant $150
Extras
Monday evening activity $25
Tuesday Conference dinner $50

*Prices quoted are including GST and invoices will be emailed closer to the event. If you are currently not a MENZA member, and would like to join, please visit the MENZA website and click the “Join” button. Or select the NON-MENZA option which includes individual membership for PPTA PLD and a school membership for Primary/ECE.
Conference Subsidies
Applications for a conference subsidy can be made here: 2025 MENZA Conference Subsidy Form. (Priority will be given to ECE and Primary members and those in geographically isolated areas)
Accommodation
There are lots of great hotels close by. If you need help with accommodation or would like to billet please contact us at the email below.

Secondary School Teachers: You can access Professional Learning funds to attend this conference through the PPTA and the Subject Association Grant. You can apply now, and it can be pre-approved.
REGISTER HERE NOW!

MusicWorks Ensemble Festival Aotearoa (MEFA) - Aotearoa’s Premier National School Ensemble Festival
2025-09-16 00:00 - 2025-09-19 23:59 | Wellington
Held in Wellington, MEFA is New Zealand’s premier national school ensemble festival, celebrating both traditional and jazz/blues styles. Our mission is to foster a vibrant, educational, and community-driven environment where students can thrive through music. With world-class concerts, mentorship, and performances, MEFA provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to perform, learn, and grow. There is no other festival like it in New Zealand.
Unlike traditional festivals that focus primarily on competition, MEFA is designed around a mentorship-driven framework, offering students engaging workshops and unique learning experiences. We collaborate with some of New Zealand’s top educators and musicians, including the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO), Royal New Zealand Air Force Band, leading universities, and MENZA. With over 60 tailored workshops, students develop not only their individual instrumental and vocal skills but also gain exposure to areas they may not typically explore in school—such as improvisation, conducting, and mixed-ensemble collaboration, enhancing both their musical and social development.
For schools that wish to compete, MEFA’s adjudicated performances provide an opportunity to strive for excellence across a range of ensembles—from choral groups and orchestras to concert bands and jazz ensembles. Each performance is followed by a specialized workshop with a top mentor, ensuring students receive constructive guidance to refine their skills.
Evening concerts showcase performances by some of New Zealand’s finest musicians, including members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Big Band and the NZSO. These concerts offer students access to world-class performances, with select opportunities for student participation—an invaluable experience that further enhances their development as musicians.
MEFA’s education-first approach makes it accessible for ensembles of all levels, from beginner groups to New Zealand’s top school ensembles. Each year, we take pride in providing young musicians with a supportive and inspiring space to perform, learn, and be part of a true festival experience.
Click here to find out more and register your school.

Young Jazz Bandit
2025-09-20 00:00 - 23:59 | Wellington
Created by Rodger Fox, continued by a village
For the first two years, Young Jazz Band-it was directed by Rodger Fox. With his passing in 2024, a group of like-minded organisations picked up his partial plans and pushed the 2024 festival over the line.
This year – in partnership with the MEFA Festival, NZSM Te Koki, Youthtown, and the Aotearoa Jazz Education and Performance Trust – we are excited to continue to grow the festival, and cement it as a key event in schools annual jazz calendar.
There are three elements to the Young Jazz Band-It competition contested by auditioned High School and Intermediate School Jazz Bands, composers and soloists: Essential NZ Jazz Band Competition, NZ Jazz Composition Competition and NZ Jazz Improvisation Competition.
Click here for more info and to register.

MENZA WOF 2025 (Wellington Orchestra Festival)
2025-10-08 09:30 - 17:00 | Wellington College, 15 Dufferin St, Mount Victoria, Wellington, 6021, New Zealand
A day of orchestral rehearsal and performance for Primary-aged students who can read music and play an instrument.
We have six pieces arranged by Richard Oswin, ranging from classical favourites to film scores and pop hits.
This is an ideal opportunity for students who practice mostly on their own to join other students and make music as an ensemble. The technical difficulty of the music is suitable for students in their second or third year of learning onwards. Along with the four orchestra sections, there are parts for drum kit, hand percussion, guitar, bass, keyboard, Orff xylophone and recorders. Students can work on their parts with instrumental tutors leading up to the day, preparing to play all six pieces. Schools are also welcome to use the repertoire in their own ensembles during the year.
WOF is conducted by Mike Ashton. The day begins with a massed rehearsal, followed by sectionals led by musicians from Orchestra Wellington and finishes with a concert of the six pieces, which whanau can attend. The concert will also include a guest performance by Orchestra Wellington musicians.
Schools registered for WOF will also get the opportunity to take part in Orchestra Wellington’s Education in Schools Programme – Orchestra Wellington will come to your school to help prepare your students! Schools registered for WOF can sign up for this by contacting Hannah Neman.
Contact Joanna Calvert if you have any questions. We encourage new schools and students to participate in this event… come and join the fun. Sign up for WOF using the link below and then you will get sent the sheet music to start practising!
Register here.
MENZA members $100 per school
non-MENZA members $130 (includes membership to MENZA).
Invoices will be sent on registration.

Toi Ihiihi Wānanga, Te Whanganui-a-Tara presented by CATA & MENZA
2026-04-10 10:00 - 2026-04-12 16:00 | Victoria University of Wellington, Kelburn Parade, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand
Nau mai haere mai ki te Āo Pūoro me ngā Toi Māori. He mihi nui ki a koutou katoa.
On behalf of MENZA and Canterbury Arts Teachers Association (CATA) we welcome you to come and join us and explore our world of māori music and arts.
Tēnā koa whakakī te puka rēhita, haere mai ki te tūhura me te pākiki tahi me mātou, kia anga whakamua!
Please fill out the registration form, come and explore and be curious with us, moving forward!
Ngā Taipitopito – Details:
Venue: Victoria University, Te Whanganui-a-Tara
Dates: Friday 10th April – Sunday 12th April 2026, 4pm kia mutu
Pōwhiri: 10am
Koha: a gift to Mana whenua – can be a taonga, money or traditional rongoa
Ngā Kaiwhakahaere – Facilitators: Horomona Horo and Regan Balzer, Wiremu Sarich, Kylie Simeon, Sarah Hera Maxwell, Hunia Manuel, Kat Lilly
Mauria mai āu taputapu – what to bring:
– Blanket
– Pillow
– Sheet
– Towels
– Toiletries etc
– Appropriate clothing
– Instrument (could be a taonga pūoro, guitar, harp, trumpet, stone, spoons, shell, stick, stone kei a koe te tīkanga, it is up to you how big or small).
Māu e whakarite he waka kia tae atu koe ki te Whare Wānanga.
Please arrange your transport to and from the University.
Mā Te Herenga Waka e manaaki i a tātou.
Full catering and accommodation are provided.
There may be a cost of $235 for primary teachers, and $285 for secondary teachers. More information is on the registration form.
MENZA Organisation Contact: admin@menza.co.nz
Wānanga Contact: Trevania Walbaekken 021 942 077
Participation survey feedback link: https://forms.gle/UT715xhGu3TooqZH
Wananga resource link: https://menza.co.nz/resource/toi-ihiihi-wananga-resource/

ORFF Level 1 course - Wellington
2026-07-05 08:00 - 2026-08-02 17:00 | Eastern Hutt School, 53 Kings Cres, Lower Hutt, Wellington, 5010, New Zealand
5-8 July and 1-2 August 2026, Eastern Hutt School, Lower Hutt
Come and join us for a hands-on experiential introduction to the practices and principles of the ORFF approach.
The integration of speech, movement and playing music with a focus on improvisation and creativity.
Inclusion of Māori waiata and legend.
Register here
Enquiries: jtcharman@gmail.com
