Where Music Meets Adventure
International music tours are among the most significant experiences a young musician can have. They challenge students musically, broaden their perspectives, strengthen friendships and create memories that remain long after the final concert has ended. Our 2026 New Zealand Music Tour did exactly that.
Over ten unforgettable days, our 86 students and nine staff shared a tour rich in music-making, learning, friendship and adventure. We performed in concerts, worked alongside world-class musicians, visited schools, explored some of New Zealand's most spectacular locations and, most importantly, shared experiences that simply cannot be recreated at school.
Our musical experiences were both varied and inspiring. We were warmly welcomed by Long Bay College, Rotorua Girls' High School, Evans Bay Intermediate School and the Kimi Ora school, worked with musicians from the Auckland Philharmonia and Orchestra Wellington, and performed for audiences ranging from super-enthusiastic school communities to the deeply appreciative residents of Bob Scott Retirement Village. Every performance and workshop challenged us to listen more carefully and, as staff, watching our students grow in confidence throughout the tour was one of its greatest rewards.
These are the experiences that shape young musicians, broaden musical perspectives and create life-long memories.
-Mr David Law, Head of Performance Music
We asked some of our students to reflect on the trip:
"The New Zealand Music Tour was an unforgettable opportunity to grow in confidence, musicianship, and community. Performing for different communities and working with professional musicians were highlights of the trip. Beyond music, shared memories were made and these strengthened our group. " - Rachel Y (Year 12)
"The tour helped me grow as a musician while creating a strong sense of community through our shared experiences. I loved the opportunity to share our music with schools and professionals, make new friendships, and experience New Zealand culture through moments such as the Mitai Māori experience and connecting with New Zealand students." - Eliza G (Year 9)
"The trip was genuinely an incredible experience for me in every way. Even simple moments, like sitting on the bus or just exploring places, provided opportunities to meet new people and know others better. The workshops we went to gave me an insight into what it means to be a musician, while helping me develop skills and gain experience on my instrument. Performing in the Redwood Forest was a magical moment for me as it showed what the power of music can do in a unique environment. I must say that this tour has given me an experience on how amazing music can be, outside of playing an instrument and singing." - Wallace L (Year 8)
"The Music Tour this year was one of the most unforgettable experiences to me, as it was not only filled with music making, but included a lot of opportunities to learn about the culture of New Zealand. Not only was I able to have fun during the activities planned throughout the trip, but all the connections I made with other people that I never usually speak to made it such a memorable and enjoyable experience. The performances for Evans Bay Intermediate School and the Bob Scott Retirement Village stood out the most to me as the performances we gave for them made our time in New Zealand even more valuable than I ever imagined it would be." - Jessica N (Year 11)
View the full albums below to see where our Music cohort performed on each day.
