Taupō Brass Academy students will be celebrating the learning undertaken this year at a concert on Sunday, November 1.
The hour-long Community Concert, beginning at 3pm, will include performances by the academy band – a development from the Brass Academy Programme, the Phoenix Brass Ensemble and Taupō School of Music Youth Wind Band.
Taupō Brass Academy tutor and band conductor Gary Collins says the concert, the inaugural public performance for the academy band, is an opportunity to showcase the work the students in the brass programme have done throughout the year.
Students are provided free lessons, and a free instrument, with Collins visiting four primary schools – Taupō Intermediate, St Patrick’s, Lake Taupō Christian School and Waipahihi – during school hours in the initiative which has been running for four years under the auspices of the Taupō Concert Band.
Students who have now moved on to Tauhara or Taupō-nui-a-Tia College attend the academy band and help mentor the younger students.
Prior to the concert the academy students will rehearse two combined pieces to be performed with the youth windband and Phoenix players, says Collins.
“They’ve worked hard throughout the year in their lessons and in band rehearsals and this concert is really an opportunity to demonstrate how they can play as an ensemble to parents and friends.
“Having the windband and Phoenix Brass there in support will show something of a pathway ahead for those who continue to play.”
Many of the Phoenix players assist as support tutors during academy band rehearsals, Collins says.
Entry to the concert at the Taupō-nui-a-Tia College hall is by koha.
This story has also appeared on LakeFM; Brass academy students on show
Caption: Pippa Walker, Martin Jung and Frankie Bishop at the 2025 Taupō Brass Academy my brass day. All will be playing on Sunday, November 1.
