Open day

Press, 24 October 1984, Page 18

Open day

The Christchurch School of Instrumental Music will open its doors to the public on Saturday. The open day, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., is intended to allow interested people to visit the school and to learn about the range of musical instruction available. The Christchurch School of Instrumental Music was founded in 1955 by Robert Perks, in association with the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival Association. It began with about 100 pupils and one orchestra. There are now seven orchestras, and young musicians move up through these orchestras as their skill advances. The senior orchestra, the Christchurch Youth Orchestra, is a full symphony orchestra. Peter Zwartz was appointed Musical Director in 1974. The aims of the school are to develop musicianship in'young people by training them as broadly as possible, to introduce them to orchestral instruments so that they may play in orchestras at their level of ability, and to help them enjoy and appreciate music through rehearsals and public performance. In addition to the orchestras . there are two symphonic wind bands, and two stage jazz bands. These have' helped to absorb an increasing number of Wind

and Brass players, and broaden the range of musical participation. There is also a flute choir and clarinet choir, recorder ensembles and numerous chamber music groups. Many chamber groups enter for and have been placed in the annual National Chamber Music Competition. Almost all Christchurch musicians chosen for the National Youth Orchestra have received some training from the School. The school at presennt runs at four venues, the Christchurch Arts Centre, the Lutheran Church Hall, Hagley High School and Knox Hall, with a music staff of 77, and roll of 1150 students. In August each year the school .holds its demonstration concert in the Town Hall, with various area concerts throughout the year. Players in the higher orchestras often get the opportinity to travel and play in other districts, such as the West Coast, South Canterbury, and Otago. Students learning privately outside the C.S.I.M. may link up with any one of the orchestras or chamber Ss at their level of /■’ ' - • ’.' ' • Guided tours of the school will leave from the Observatory Block in the south quadrangle of the Arts Centre.