Balmacewen prides itself on the many cultural aspects on offer. Be it singing (Choir and Kapahaka), dancing, acting, fashion or cultural exchanges Balmacewen has it all!
Wearable Arts
Every second year Balmacewen Intermediate holds a "Wearable Arts" festival. The students may enter in the following categories - Recycled, Glow in the Dark, Superheroes, Wild and Wacky and Under the Sea.
The students design their costumes, write their own scripts and choose music to match their design. Every year the show grows bigger and bigger and the designs are judged. This year the Wearable Arts is held at the start of Term 4 in an amazing show celebrating the talents and creativity of our students
Production
Every second year Balmacewen undertakes a major production which involves roughly 100 students. The production typically involves dance, music and song and all students have the opportunity to audition for parts. The production is always a highlight of the school year.
Music
Ukulele and the Marimba - All year 7 students at Balmacewen learn the basics of Ukulele and Marimba. Children have the opportunity to join the performance group in this area.
Thursday is a time when cultural activities and learning take priority.
Tuition - Children have the opportunity to learn a huge range of instruments including;
Violin, Clarinet, flute, keyboard, saxophone, recorder, bagpipes, kit drums, African Drumming and percussion training, trumpet, trombone and guitar.
Orchestra - The Orchestra is a group of children who have already learned an instrument for some time. We perform in the school situation and work towards the Primary Intermediate School Festival in the Town Hall.
Rock Band - Our Concert Band follows the American technique of "Learning to play Music" as you play in a band. Each child learns to play the instrument as well as picking up the musical theory as we go along. Every year, keen and motivated students gather together to form bands and are supported by an experiences tutor.
Choir - Balmacewen Intermediate has had a very successful choir for some time now. It consists of over 50 members and works towards such events as; Intermediate School Festival and accompanied the Vienna Boys Choir in the past.
Kapahaka -Balmacewen intermediate Kapahaka group offers the opportunity for all students to participate and learn about different aspects of Maori culture. These aspects include waiata (songs), Haka, and moteatea (chants). Alongside learnning various waiata, Balmacewen students will also have the opportunity to learn about te reo Maori (Maori language) and Tikanga (Custom, protocol, tradition). If you are unsure about what kapahaka is all about, this could be your motivation for joinning. Balmacewen's goal for our kapahaka group is to have fun.
Whaia e koe ki te iti kahurangi; ki te tuohu koe, me maunga teitei
Seek the treasure you value most dearly: if you bow your head, let it be to a lofty mountain