Course D

Music In Our Midst

Course organiser:Kathryn Ell

Presenter:Various

Music is a fundamental form of both personal and cultural expression. This course taps into our local music scene to explore various ways that music is shared in our community.

30 Jun:
Glenda Keam, Associate Professor of Music and Head of the School of Music at Canterbury University.Glenda will lead a collective presentation with colleagues. Together they will give some insights and experiences relating to tertiary-level music education in the 21st century and also share some of the particular challenges and opportunities that are presenting themselves in relation to the School of Music's 'return' (of some, but not all, of its activities) to Christchurch's centre.

7 Jul:
Michael Bayly, General Manager of Showbiz Christchurch.Michael will address the 78 year history of Christchurch Operatic Society, now titled Showbiz Christchurch. The intent of this society is to emulate the quality and production values of the best of Broadway and the West End. In our re-emerging Christchurch theatre scene and since the rebuild of the magnificent Isaac Theatre Royal, Showbiz Christchurch has staged productions of The Phantom of the Opera, Spamalot and Mamma Mia! Each commanded sellout houses and rave reviews comparing the productions to major international shows. Showbiz Christchurch is a not-for-profit musical theatre company with passionate volunteers at the core of its membership. Being a talk about musical theatre there is, of course, always a possibility of a song!

14 Jul:
Stuart Maunder, General Manager of New Zealand Opera.Stuart will talk about his own personal journey in the world of opera and how that world came to collide with the work of New Zealand Opera

21 Jul:
Chris Petch GRNCM PPRNCM, Head of Music at Burnside High School.Chris will talk about the music programme at Burnside High School. Burnside has a national reputation as the top school for Performance Music in New Zealand. Students come from all over the city to attend the Specialist Music Programme. The Programme also caters for overseas students in its International Music Programme.

28 Jul:
Elizabeth Braggins Mus.B. T.Coll.Dip.Elizabeth is known internationally for her piano playing, singing and composition. She has worked with local musicians Malcolm McNeill, Graham Wardrop, and Janice Gray. Elizabeth has featured on National Radio and made appearances at the Christchurch International Jazz Festival, the Christchurch Arts Festival, and Waipara Wine and Food Celebration, to name just a few of her many venues. Elizabeth will share with us her musical journey.