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Singing Mentoring Progamme

At the end of each Festival season teachers are asked to evaluate various aspects of the Festival, and the survey has included a question asking if training or assistance with your school choir would be valuable.

In response we are pleased to announce that the Festival Executive is setting up a Singing Mentoring Programme which will offer experienced mentors to assist you with directing your choir or help you with your school’s singing programme.

The programme can consist of any assistance that you may need for any or all of the following:

  • choosing suitable repertoire
  • running an efficient choir rehearsal
  • assembly singing
  • warm-up ideas
  • conducting techniques

 We are exploring ways to collaborate with teachers, educators, and school communities to provide practical tools, resources, and mentoring.

This can be part of your school’s professional development but can also be for your own personal growth in your music teaching career.

Mentoring will be free to schools and will be funded by the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival.

If you would like assistance, please complete the form below.  Your responses will guide us in finding the best ways to help you and your choir.

Singing Mentoring Programme Application

  • The mentoring programme can consist of any assistance you may need for any or all of the following. Please check the boxes that apply

  • Are there any barriers to singing at your school

  • Mentoring will be tailored to the needs of your school. Please check those of interest

  • Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. Places for mentoring will be limited. We will collate the information and get back to you soon.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Mentors

Rachel Wilford

Rachel has had many years teaching in the Primary school sector as a classroom music teacher and choir director.  She is choir director and music teacher at St Margaret’s College and has been working there for 10 years teaching in the Junior and Middle School performing arts department. Rachel has conducted choirs for the Big Sing and has been a mentor for the New Zealand Choral federation. She has worked with many mentors such as Sue Densem, David Squire, Catrin Johnsson and Dr Andrew Withington. Rachel has been a performer herself singing in Southern Opera productions, as a member of the Opera Club and has been a soloist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Rachel has conducted the Northwest music festival as one of the massed choir conductors for many years and is now the music director for the Christchurch Schools’ Music Festival.

 Rachel will be available: Mondays 8am – 10am, Wednesdays from 2pm, Fridays 9am – 3pm

Sharyn Hay

Over the years Sharyn has learnt how to create a positive and fun atmosphere in choirs, that inspires children to sing!  Sharyn has a background in primary education, private singing tuition and has conducted many school choirs, school and church musicals. For eleven years, she was also the Principal of the Majestic Church’s successful CREATE School of Arts.  CREATE provided tuition in drama, dance, song and art, for 6-18 year olds. Sharyn has recently stepped down as Junior Choir Representative choir conductor for the Music Festival, a position which she held for twenty years and was passionate about and is currently a massed choir conductor. Sharyn still vividly remembers the mix of emotions when she was handed the school choir as a young second year classroom teacher and as a consequence she would love to help other young conductors navigate the challenges in order to fully enjoy the experience.  

Sharyn has flexible hours and will be available any week days except Wednesday (afternoon only)

Joshua McGirr

Joshua spent his schooling life as a trumpet player and a singer. He was a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students Choir under the directorship of Andrew Withington, and a member of the New Zealand Youth Choir under the directorship of David Squire, travelling internationally with both choirs. He is currently a member of the Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir (Voices NZ) ‘VOICES 60’ ensemble.

Josh will be available out-of-work hours for phone/zoom class.

Kimberley Wood

Kimberley completed a Bachelor of Music degree in 2018. After receiving her LTCL in singing, she became a member of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir (2013-2014) and New Zealand Youth Choir (2017-2019). In 2021-22 she was on the committee for the New Zealand Choral Federation Canterbury / West Coast branch. She has a keen interest in music theatre and enjoys musically directing and playing for shows when not studying. Currently Kimberley is working at NASDA (National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts) as a musicianship and singing tutor as well as directing the Christchurch Cathedral Girl Choristers. She also teaches piano, singing, and theory at multiple schools whilst also accompanying singers and instrumentalists for exams. She is passionate about music education and loves sharing her passion for music with the children of Christchurch.  Read more here.

Kimberley will be available: Thursdays 10am – 12pm, Fridays 9.30am – 3pm

Madeleine Gillman

Madeleine is an experienced primary trained teacher who has taught in many Christchurch schools over the last 20 years. More recently, she has worked as a specialist performing arts teacher in several schools, delivering classroom music to students in Years 0-8. Madeleine has completed Primary Levels 1 and 2 of Kodály Teacher Training through the Cuskelly College of Music in Brisbane, and brings her passion for singing into all aspects of classroom music teaching. Madeleine is the Music Director at Westburn Te Kura O Hereora, and currently conducts a primary school orchestra and several primary school choirs. She is also Music Tutor to Primary level interns at the New Zealand Graduate School of Education. Madeleine has fond memories of singing in the Music Festival herself as a child and would love to support any new teachers to become involved in the CSMF phenomenon! 

Madeleine will be available: Mondays 9.30am – 2.30pm, Fridays 10am – 2.30pm