Tour Sponsors
(click their logo for contact details)

The Rhapsody in Rotorua tour departed Sydney on Monday 29th June and returned Sunday 5th July 2009.

The excursion supplemented work done in the classroom such as Cultural Exchange, opportunity to extend performance opportunities, sharing musical ideas with students from other countries and master classes with outstanding tutors.

Full Tour Report:
Day One: After months of planning and rehearsing we were finally on tour. Our bus arrived at 5 a.m. and took us to Sydney Airport. The planes were delayed and we arrived late in Auckland to a wet
windy cold day where we were met with our Coach driver for the week.

Day Two: We all set off to Rotorua Museum and found out why they call Rotorua “the smelly town”. The choir performed for the first time of the tour in the upstairs foyer. The acoustics were incredible.
Next we took off to perform at the Malfroy School where we were first introduced to our instrument truck carrying the timpani’s and taiko drums. Taiko drums – no sticks – quick stop at mitre 10 to purchase
broom sticks and cut them up for sticks. The school was similar to our schools. The first thing the students noticed was that not all students were wearing shoes – a large majority were barefoot. The students
loved the taiko drums and the percussion boys eyes lit up on seeing “real” taiko drums. Next we traveled onto Rainbow Springs, with a quick check into the hotel and then off again to the Agrodome for the welcome dinner, show and dance. It was at this night that our school was named the school with the “Cool” teachers and the Narara Dance was started.

Day Three: Saw us off to Glenholm School to perform. Rowen, our illustrious leader became very ill and Mrs Klempert became our spokesperson. Mr Singh, by this stage had Mr Larkin trained as a
roadie, together with the CAPA kids. The choir, concert band and taiko boys all performed brilliantly. When the students finished playing, the older students all performed the haka for us. Next we journeyed to the Whakarewarewa “The thermally active Maori Village” then off to the choir adjudication and lunch on the run. The choir were complimented on their sound and performance. The adjudicator remarked on the choice of music, the standard of singing, the wonderful conductor (Mrs Klempert) and the very musical pianist (Greg Smith who had taken the choir leading up to the tour). Next was the band’s adjudication with 1 minute to spare. Again the adjudicator remarked on the choice of music and the band was awarded A’s and B’s in all sections.

All in all very good results with the Concert Band being awarded Silver and the Choir being awarded Bronze. Judging for all sections was done under one grade and not A B or C grades for different levels so this makes the results even more outstanding as they were competing against nearly all private and exclusive schools.
The students doing Honours groups then went off to their groups and we all met back at the hotel where we got changed and then off to the Tamaki Maori Village in our “waka” and off we went for a Hangi and introduction to Maori culture. Mr Larkin was appointed our Chief (having to leave Rowen back at the hotel very ill in bed) Mr Larkin gladly stepped up. Mr Larkin greeted the coach driver in the traditional way of a chief. Little did he know later in the night he would have to greet the Maori Warrior in the same way!

Day Four: Off to the Agro adventures extreme sports park for some fun. While everyone was deciding what they were game to do we turned around and the three amigos Mr Singh, mini Murch and Daniel
Jones let out a cry as they were raised 40 metres into the air. Mr Singh had to pull the ripcord and their faces say it all. Then there was a queue – everyone wanted to have a go. The students also did Agrojet, the schweeb and the freefall extreme. Then it was off to the Polynesian spa and pools for a few hours to relax. Lunch, then the first of the public performances which was opened by the Taiko group. Students then went to the Honours and festival groups then back to the hotel for a quick dinner then back to the Convention Centre for the concert band and choir to perform. Their performance in Mrs Klempert’s words “ was awesome.” She said this as she came off the stage having played flute with the band. The choir then performed and again rocked the house. It was party time in the green room and the Narara Dance started to take shape. Day five: Master Classes and special clinics were the focus of the day. Students had a choice of 10 different clinics every 1.5 hours in five different locations. We were all on buses going to different locations to learn from different tutors and mix with other students. Mr Singh took an advanced guitar class and ended up with classical guitarists shredding and shredders playing classical. Greg Smith took the advanced jazz piano classes and Rowen started with 30 kids in a festival stage band which grew and grew to a big band of well over 100 kids. Everyone flocked to their classes when they found out the “cool” teachers were taking them. Back to the hotel for a quick meal that night and back for the main Honours and festival concert. All the choir students ended up singing in the honors choir, Ben Murch in the Honors Concert Band, Alec Wales and Sam Wolski in the honors orchestra and Dan Jones and Brendon Williams in the honors stage band. Daniel Jones was chosen to open the first solo section in the honors stage band and Brendon Williams knocked them dead with his drumming. The taiko boys were asked to provide interval entertainment in the foyer. Knowing this was the last time they had their “real” taiko drums they did not hold back.

Day Six: Off to see the Wai-o-tapu thermal wonderland, then onto the gondola and rides on “The Luge” – the fastest bob sled ride you could ever imagine. Finally it was back to the hotel – for a change of clothes then onto the Gala presentation and dinner. The group were in party mode so it was arranged before the presentation started for Mr Singh, Sam Bryant, Sam Wolski, Daniel Jones and Sam Wainwright to stand up on stage and get the house up and partying. First they taught everyone the moves to the Narara Dance. Mr Singh calling out instructions and the boys demonstrating then over 1,000 students and teachers dancing at once. The next day we headed for home – all exhausted but on a real high from such a great week where everyone learnt something, made new friends and had great experiences. A big big thank you to Mr Larkin, Mrs Klempert, Mr Singh, Mr Greg Smith and finally Rowen McBride who put so much into making this such a great tour. Without the dedication of these teachers this trip would not have been possible. On behalf of all the parents and students, a big thank you. Narara Valley is very lucky to have such dedicated and talented teachers and tutors.
 

Thank you to the following businesses that supported the Rhapsody in Rotorua Music Tour. Please support them.
All things Christmas Erina, Sydney Tower Skywalk, Gosford and Bateau Bay Ten Pin Bowling, The Australian Rainforest Sanctuary, Manly Oceanworld, Australian Walkabout Wildlife World, Wyoming Fruity Fresh, Angels Hairdressing Salon, Forest of Tranquility, Mt Penang Parklands, John Morrison and Jacki Cooper, Planet Fitness, Bambi West Gosford, Singo’s Meats, Coles Supermarkets, Gosford Music Store, Bassinets and More and Nutrimetics

Qld Tour Sponsors

Jnr. Concert Band - 1st Place - Australian Champions - Hymn

Jnr. Concert Band - 2nd Place - Test Piece

Jnr. Concert Band - 3rd Place - Stage March and own choice

Jnr. Concert Band - 3rd Place overall in C grade concert band championships. Narara scored 399 points. 1st place scored 405 points.

Hayden Blain - 1st place Junior Alto Saxophone with 87 points

Junior Quartet - 1st place - Australian Champions with 82 points

"The Percussionists" - Sam Wolski, Sam Wainwright, Brendon Williams and Daniel Jones

Junior Quartet - 2nd place - with 78 points (Saxophones and clarinets)

"The NV's" - Hayden Blain, Rachel Browne, Sam Bryant, Daniel Jones

The students enjoyed a dinner cruise on the Brisbane river at night on the party boat, watched many of the competitions, went to a concert at City Hall to hear some amazing musicians, watched the street march, went to the Brisbane Botanic Gardens, Queensland Art Museum, Queensland Museum, shopping in Brisbane and finally had a great day at Dreamworld . This was in addition to a week of swimming, soccer, playing tennis, pool and other activities.

A big big thank you to Mr Larkin, Mr Norval and Mr Arnison for coming with the students. Thank you to Graham from Ridleys Coaches for really looking after us and great driving! In addition to this a very very big thank you to our wonderful tutors and conductor, Rowen McBride and Jess Foy who came with us and helped the students through this. Thank you to the other two tutors Rachel Glynn and Sean Cadogen Steele for their dedication and hard work. Rowen played in the Narribri Brass Band who came 1st in their section so a good week was had by all. Thank you must also be said to Mrs Klempert and the staff in the music department who support all our students in the music programme.

Narara Valley High School Band would also like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support in helping our students attend this important event.

Freedom Pools, Cheryl Smith Real Estate, La Porchetta, Glenworth Valley Riding School, Lizottes, Oceanworld Manly, Sydney Aquarium and Davey Mechanics.