Rotorua Daily Post
  • Rotorua Daily Post home
  • Latest news
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
  • Property
  • Sport
  • Video
  • Death notices
  • Classifieds

Subscriptions

  • Herald Premium
  • Viva Premium
  • The Listener
  • BusinessDesk

Sections

  • Latest news
  • On The Up
  • Business
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyle
    • All Lifestyle
    • Residential property listings
  • Property
    • All Property
    • Dairy farming
    • Sheep & beef farming
    • Horticulture
    • Animal health
    • Rural business
    • Rural life
    • Rural technology
  • Rural
  • Sport

Locations

  • Tauranga
  • Te Puke
  • Whakatāne
  • Rotorua
  • Tokoroa
  • Taupō & Tūrangi

Media

  • Video
  • Photo galleries
  • Today's Paper - E-Editions
  • Photo sales

Weather

  • Rotorua
  • Tauranga
  • Whakatāne
  • Tokoroa
  • Taupō

NZME Network

  • Advertise with NZME
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • BusinessDesk
  • Newstalk ZB
  • Sunlive
  • ZM
  • The Hits
  • Coast
  • Radio Hauraki
  • The Alternative Commentary Collective
  • Gold
  • Flava
  • iHeart Radio
  • Hokonui
  • Radio Wanaka
  • iHeartCountry New Zealand
  • Restaurant Hub
  • NZME Events

SubscribeSign In
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Home / Rotorua Daily Post

WorldStrides' Rhapsody Rotorua concerts to showcase talent

Rotorua Daily Post
29 Jun, 2017 09:27 PM3 mins to read

Subscribe to listen

Access to Herald Premium articles require a Premium subscription. Subscribe now to listen.
Already a subscriber?  Sign in here

Listening to articles is free for open-access content—explore other articles or learn more about text-to-speech.
‌
Save

    Share this article

Combining rhythm and harmony with culture and education, the WorldStrides' Rhapsody Rotorua has hit the right note for students.

And locals are able to see the talent on display with public concerts being held tonight and tomorrow night, from 7pm to 10pm, at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.

The week-long music festival brings together young musicians from Australia and New Zealand in Rotorua.

Students from Western Heights High school were having a blast at the event.

Flute player Kymbali Dender, 16, said it was her fourth WorldStrides Rhapsody Rotorua.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"It's good to play with other people and listen to them."

Year 13 student Shayla Dixon, 17, had been to the event every year she had been at high school.

"I'm in the choir, [Rhapsody] is great for learning."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Artistic director Grant Burns said the event had taken place at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre since 2000.

"The facilities and people have proved efficient and remained consistent ... we have around 500 kids each year and we are well-supported by the locals."

Mr Burns said seven schools had come over from Australia, and seven from around New Zealand.

Members of the Western Heights High School jazz band perform at WorldStrides Rhapsody Rotorua. Photo/Ben Fraser
Members of the Western Heights High School jazz band perform at WorldStrides Rhapsody Rotorua. Photo/Ben Fraser

"There are also individual students from other schools. This is why it's great - we combine students in group performances."

Discover more

Rhapsody Rotorua to have city alive with music

28 Jun 03:25 PM

In a statement, Karene Philips, festival manager, said the students were immersed in a unique learning experience, with adjudication from top musicians helping them develop their skills.

"Uniting students from different countries and cultures to share their passion for music creates a truly remarkable experience."

Paul Hines, a guitar teacher from Melville Senior High School in Perth, said it had been a fantastic experience.

"The music has been great and it's been exciting for the 33 students. We've been to Agrodome and around Rotorua."

He said the group was made up of Year 9 to Year 12 students between the ages of 14 and 17.

"It's the first overseas trip [for the students], we have a concert band, a guitar ensemble, choir and a swing band. Everyone is having a great time."

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Western Heights High School music teacher Ryan McIntyre was watching the school's jazz band performing in the Banquet Room.

He said the group was made up of students from Years 10 to 13.

"It's been awesome ... this is the first time [the students] would have played solo in front of people."

Head of music at Western Heights High School, Adam Hague, said Melville Senior High School students had come to their school earlier in the week and had performed.

"It was great for the students, they mingled and made friends."

Destination Rotorua international trade manager Patrick Dault said hosting the event was a great opportunity for Rotorua.

Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

"Not only does it support the bridging of cultures through music but it gives young people the opportunity to have fun in one of New Zealand's most beloved destinations."

Tickets for the free showcases are available from ticketmaster.co.nz or at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.

Save

    Share this article

Latest from Rotorua Daily Post

Rotorua Daily Post

Landslide sparks evacuations, roads closed, homes flooded after storm

12 Jul 12:43 AM
Rotorua Daily Post

'Merry hell' in Mamaku: Village held 'to ransom' by hoons

11 Jul 06:00 PM
Rotorua Daily Post

Bay home crowd rallies behind netball's Magic

11 Jul 05:00 PM

From early mornings to easy living

sponsored
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.

Latest from Rotorua Daily Post

Landslide sparks evacuations, roads closed, homes flooded after storm

Landslide sparks evacuations, roads closed, homes flooded after storm

12 Jul 12:43 AM

The North Island is expected to get off to a wet start this morning, with lingering rain.

'Merry hell' in Mamaku: Village held 'to ransom' by hoons

'Merry hell' in Mamaku: Village held 'to ransom' by hoons

11 Jul 06:00 PM
Bay home crowd rallies behind netball's Magic

Bay home crowd rallies behind netball's Magic

11 Jul 05:00 PM
Tearful hunter admits shooting and killing friend

Tearful hunter admits shooting and killing friend

11 Jul 05:00 PM
Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky
sponsored

Solar bat monitors uncover secrets of Auckland’s night sky

NZ Herald
  • About NZ Herald
  • Meet the journalists
  • Newsletters
  • Classifieds
  • Help & support
  • Contact us
  • House rules
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Competition terms & conditions
  • Our use of AI
Subscriber Services
  • Rotorua Daily Post e-edition
  • Manage your print subscription
  • Manage your digital subscription
  • Subscribe to Herald Premium
  • Subscribe to the Rotorua Daily Post
  • Gift a subscription
  • Subscriber FAQs
  • Subscription terms & conditions
  • Promotions and subscriber benefits
NZME Network
  • Rotorua Daily Post
  • The New Zealand Herald
  • The Northland Age
  • The Northern Advocate
  • Waikato Herald
  • Bay of Plenty Times
  • Hawke's Bay Today
  • Whanganui Chronicle
  • Viva
  • NZ Listener
  • Newstalk ZB
  • BusinessDesk
  • OneRoof
  • Driven Car Guide
  • iHeart Radio
  • Restaurant Hub
NZME
  • About NZME
  • NZME careers
  • Advertise with NZME
  • Digital self-service advertising
  • Book your classified ad
  • Photo sales
  • NZME Events
  • © Copyright 2025 NZME Publishing Limited
TOP