Music is an essential part of the Rangi experience. The majority of Rangi girls are involved in music at some level and at Rangi Ruru there are musical opportunities created for girls whatever their interest in music.

All girls from Years 7-9 inclusive study music as part of the curriculum. The aim of this programme is to expose girls to a wide range of musical styles and genres through performance and composition.
 
In addition Music is offered as an option to girls in both Years 9 and 10. These courses are for girls who have a very strong interest in and love of music, with the emphasis again on performance and composition. As well girls will develop skills in music theory, aural, and will study music history, from both a classical and popular perspective.
At Years 11–13 Music is offered as a subject for NCEA Levels 1-3, and for Scholarship.  All girls study a set course in Year 11.  At Years 12 and 13 courses may be designed to cater for the individual needs and interests of the girls.

There are a wide range of music co-curricular activities offered at Rangi Ruru.  Through these activities girls have many opportunities to develop and display their musical talents, in groups and as soloists, at assemblies and services, school productions and events, representative events and competitions. Formal and informal music evenings are held throughout the year for parents and friends. 
 
Music groups include a Senior and Junior Chorale, Barbershop groups, a Senior and Intermediate School Orchestra, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Chamber music groups, Percussion Ensembles and Rock bands.  Girls interested in musical performance are encouraged to join one or more of the above groups offered by the Music Department, or to form their own group as they wish.

The Music Department has excellent facilities, which includes two teaching classrooms, office space, teacher resource room, rehearsal spaces, seven practice and teaching studios, a fully equipped recording studio and a computer suite. The computer suite houses a class set of computers and keyboards and is primarily used to teach composition at all levels. Through the use of Sibelius notation software, many girls have developed a talent for music composition. Other music software such as Auralia and Musition, is also used with classes.

Itinerant Lessons
Tuition in a wide range of instruments (including orchestral, rock and jazz instruments), keyboard (piano, jazz piano, electronic, keyboard and pipe organ),  voice (both classical and contemporary) and composition is offered to girls wishing to further develop their music skills outside of the classroom and co-curricular music programmes.  This tuition is taken on a one to one basis by specialist music tutors.  Further information and enrolment forms are available from our website www.rangiruru.school.nz, from the school office, or from the Director of Music.
 

CHORAL MUSIC
Resolutions:  An auditioned senior chorale for girls in Years 11-13 with a very high profile both at Rangi Ruru and in the wider community.  The group have been successful in obtaining both Silver and Bronze awards at the National Choral Federation BIG SING Finale in recent years. They have toured to Italy in the past, and have performed with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, as well as in the lunchtime concert series at the Christchurch Music Centre Chapel (Maurice Till Concert Hall). 
 
Glee Choirs:  New to Rangi this year are Senior and Junior Glee choirs.  These choirs are open to girls in Years 9-13 who wish to have fun singing in a non-competitive environment.  A range of repertoire in addition to Glee songs is explored.
Barbershop Groups:  Girls who have an interest in Barbershop singing are encouraged to form quartets, and may also form a Barbershop Chorus if numbers permit. Groups participate in Regional competitions, and in recent years  senior barbershop groups have been placed in National competitions.

Bellbirds:  An auditioned choir of some 50 year 7/8 girls, who perform at a number of school functions, as well as outside the school at Kids in Town and other community events.
 

INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC 
Junior Players: For girls who play an instrument in Years 7 and 8.  All instrumentalists in Year 7/8 are encouraged to participate in this group, regardless of their standard of playing.  It provides a valuable training ground for girls to go on to the Wind Ensemble and Rangi Sinfonia.

Rangi Sinfonia: Rangi’s Senior Orchestra which performs at various school functions.  It is open to string players from about Grade 3 up, with a limited number of auditioned places for wind, brass and percussionists.  The orchestra participates in the non competitive Christchurch Secondary Schools’ Orchestral Festival in Term 3 of each year, gives an annual public concert – Rangi Classics - in a central city location, and is involved in other community events.

Wind Ensemble:  An all-comers group for wind, brass and percussionists at all levels.  This is a new group that has so far performed at school functions, but this year will be looking for further opportunities.
Jazz Band:  Is open to girls by audition.  This group has a high profile in the school, and also performs at a number of community functions.  It has competed in the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival and CPIT Jazz Quest in recent years, winning both Gold and Silver awards in addition to a number of individual awards.

Other smaller instrumental groups are formed according to the interests of the girls.  Chamber Music groups participate in the Regional Chamber Music Competition each year with groups selected for the regional finals in each of the last five years. In 2010 one group was selected for the prestigious National semifinals.  Rock Bands are encouraged to participate in Rockquest and Battle of the Bands, and several girls have been successful in winning places in the top 40 of the secondary school song writing competition ‘Play it Strange’.  As well there are established percussion, saxophone, recorder, and guitar ensembles, and a song writing club.

Many of our talented musicians are selected to be members of regional or national groups including the National Youth Orchestra, National Youth Jazz Band, New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra, Christchurch Youth Orchestra, the Christchurch Primary Schools’ Music Festival Orchestra, Recorder Ensemble and Senior Choir, the Pandemonium Percussion Ensemble and the Pettman Junior Academy at the University of Canterbury.

In 2009, for possibly the very first time in the 70 year history of the Christchurch Schools' Music Festival, conductor Patrick Sheperd handed the baton over to young Rangi Ruru student and leader of the orchestra, Amy Lee. Amy went on to boldly conduct "Excerpts from High School Musical". Amy was given a roaring ovation from the 2,500 audience. To see a clip of Amy conducting the Christchurch Primary Schools’ Music Festival Orchestra click here.  
 

Artists in Residence
In past years we have been fortunate to have Roanna Cooper as an Artist in Residence in percussion, and Dr Philip Norman as an Artist in Residence in composition.  Students gained success in several national composition competitions as a result of the residency.