Sydney pupils fly in with music

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34133, 21 April 1976, Page 16

Sydney pupils fly in with music

The 73 pupils of Killarney Heights School (seen above at the airport) are on a twoweek cultural exchange visit, returning a visit by Mairehau to Killarney last May. The pupils are mainly members of the school orchestra, with some dancers and basketballers. Last year’s trip to Sydney was organised by Mairehau’s music director (Mr T. Brown), who had already organised several South Island tours by the orchestra. He thought an overseas trip would be a “tremendous incentive for the kids.” The Mairehau pupils have raised $2OOO in the last nine months to meet all the expenses of the travelling pupils in New Zealand. The Killarney pupils had to meet only the cost of fares. The same gesture was made by Killarney when it raised $3OOO for Mairehau’s trip last year. The visiting pupils range!

in age from 13 to 17. It is the school’s first overseas trip, and the first for many of the pupils. “They are very excited.” said the deputy principal (Mr J. McMahon). A look at them confirmed that. Hats askew, some of the Killarney pupils were crump'll between suitcases as Mai.ehau pupils, some of them obviously renewing last year’s acquaintances, launched themselves at the party. The group will be officially welcomed at • morning assembly today. In the afternoon the orchestra will entertain at the Sydenham Senior Citizens’ Club, and the basketball team will play against Linwood High School. On Thursday the orchestra will play at Christ’s College in the morning and at St Mary’s in the afternoon. On Friday the pupils will leave for a tour of South Canterbury and Westland schools for four days, returning for a programme of tournaments and concerts on April 27. Mairehau High School has a symphony orchestra of 40 players, a woodwind band of 45, a brass band of 20, a senior choir of 150, a specialised chorale, an operetta group, and folk and jazz groups.