Group Events - New Zealand Tours and Australian Tours

Rhapsody Rotorua 2011 2012 2013 2014

Rhapsody Rotorua is our signature event and is the foremost International Schools Music Festival in New Zealand. With hundreds of participants it offers 3 days of full on music involvement.
Bands, orchestras, choirs, ensembles, percussion groups, jazz groups, stage bands, guitar ensembles, tin whistlers and whatever type of performing art. All gather to participate in concert performances, adjudication, tutoring, clinics, master classes, workshops and play-outs.
Perform in concert at the Rotorua Convention Centre Theatre and the Concert Hall. Play as your ensemble and be mixed with other students to enhance your musical repertoire and playing skills. Perform in Honours and Festival groups at a Gala Public Performance. Some of the more advanced students rehearse and play with the Rodger Fox Band.

Enjoy the Rhapsody experience whilst enjoying the “study rewards”, cultural and geothermal activities and the thrilling adventure Rotorua has to offer. Enjoy Country Fair and Mayoral Welcome and Dance Party at the Agrodome, a Maori Cultural night with Concert, Hangi, Gala Presentation Dinner and dance party and fun filled experiences, all combined to entertain you. Enjoy some post festival touring including skiing, white water rafting and sailing to name a few.

Rhapsody Rotorua Event Dates
29 June - 4 July 2010
5 July - 10 July 2011
26 June - 3 July 2012
5 July - 9 July 2013
1 July - 6 July 2014

SQUADRON LEADER (SQNLDR) OWEN CLARKE: ROYAL NEW ZEALAND AIRFORCE

GUEST ADJUDICATOR
Owen is active as a conductor, trombonist and music educator since returning to New Zealand from overseas study and travel in 2000. He has gained a reputation as a dynamic and enthusiastic conductor and director as well as being in demand as a presenter of concerts and music for young people.

In 2001 Owen was appointed to Director of Music for the Royal New Zealand Air Force and conductor of the Central Band of the RNZAF in Wellington. He also conducts professional, amateur, tertiary and youth level orchestras and ensembles including the Vector Wellington Orchestra, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, NZ School of Music Orchestra, the Wellington Youth Orchestra and the NZ Secondary Schools’ Symphony Orchestra.

ERNA FERRY

VOCAL ARTIST - EDUCATOR
Erna Ferry has come to jazz via years of performing in commercial, Latin and blues based bands throughout the Manawatu/Wellington region in New Zealand, as well as experience in performing Theatre with roles in major musical productions including Stepping Out, Slice of Saturday Night, Hair and The Best Little Whore House in Texas.

Since discovering jazz, Erna has performed at all leading jazz festivals throughout New Zealand, namely the Tauranga, Rotorua, Bay of Islands, Manawatu and Wanganui festivals. She has also performed at various music festivals around New Zealand including the Marlborough Wine and Food Festival, Blues Brews and Barbecues, the Christchurch Festival of Love and the Martinborough Wine Festival.

DR. RODGER FOX

TROMBONIST - BAND LEADER - EDUCATOR
Dr. Fox’s musical beginnings started at Mana College, Porirua, New Zealand where both his parents were involved with the music department. From the beginning stages of his music education he was presented with many styles of music from Concert and Brass Band music, to being 1st Trombone with the New Zealand Youth Symphony Orchestra. It was during this time he was exposed to the big band sound and jazz music through the Woody Herman and Count Basie Big Bands and the Jazz-Rock bands of Blood, Sweat and Tears and Chicago. This was the turning point for Rodger’s musical path, which would lead him to perform at some of the world’s biggest jazz festivals and study with some of the masters of jazz. Including Saxophonist Gordon Brisker, Trombonists Slide Hampton, Jim Pugh, Bill Reichenbach, John Fedchock, and Mr. Lewis Van Hanney and over the past years being invited back to lecture and perform at some of the highest halls of learning world wide.

David Squire

Vocal Artist - Educator

David Squire completed his Bachelor of Music degree at the University of Auckland, studying conducting with Juan Mattueucci and Karen Grylls, and composition with John Rimmer and John Elmsly. He has sung with many top choirs in New Zealand, including the Dorians, Auckland University Singers and the New Zealand Youth Choir. He was also a founding member of semi-professional chamber choir Voices New Zealand, and has sung with the V8 Vocal Ensemble since it was formed eleven years ago. He studied singing with Isabel Cunningham, Glenese Blake and Beatrice Webster.

David has taught music in high schools for the past 18 years, directing orchestras, concert bands, choirs and jazz bands, including many groups that have won local, national and international awards. His mixed-voice chamber choir from Rangitoto College, The Fundamentals, won the platinum award at the 2008 Big Sing Finale in the Wellington Town Hall – the first time a mixed-voice choir has achieved this. He also directs the Westlake Symphony Orchestra, which has won a gold award at every KBB Music Festival for the last decade, and also won every award for the best orchestral performance of a New Zealand work since its inception. As a freelance itinerant teacher, David teaches in four North Shore high schools and also takes workshops and professional development courses throughout the country.

David was the founding musical director of the Auckland Youth Big Band, former assistant musical director of the New Zealand Secondary Students’ Choir, chairman and administrator of the KBB Music Festival, and a live performance reviewer for Radio NZ Concert. He is often involved in session and recording work, particularly as a conductor and singer. He conducted Handel’s Messiah in Tauranga last year, and is presenting two workshops at the Sing Aotearoa Festival in October: ‘What Your Conductor Wishes You Knew’, and ‘Singing & Swinging: Making Choral Jazz Arrangements Work For You’. He is about to undertake post-graduate study in choral conducting with Karen Grylls.

RUPERT D’CRUZE

Rupert D’Cruze is an exciting new face on the New Zealand music scene. Trained in the great British choral and orchestral traditions he was a boy chorister in the famous Temple Church Choir in London and later Principal Trombonist with the European Community Youth Orchestra.
Following study at the Royal Academy of Music in London, his expertise as a conductor was quickly acknowledged through the award of the Philharmonia Prize in London, second prize in the Hungarian International Conducting Competition, Budapest, and finalist’s prize in the Tokyo International Conducting Competition. He went on to direct the Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra, the South German Radio Orchestra, the North Hungarian Symphony Orchestra and the Orchestra of the Liszt Ferenc Music Academy.
D’Cruze’s directorship of the Huddersfield Philharmonic Orchestra similarly brought great critical acclaim - ‘Rupert D’Cruze is taking this orchestra to new heights’ (David Hammond). He is described by composer and Royal Academy of Music professor Timothy Bowers as ‘an outstanding, highly versatile and experienced conductor’.
Making music with young people has always played an important role in Rupert’s career, and he has worked with many British youth orchestras and as Guest Conductor to the Bartok Institute in Miskolc, Hungary. For many years he was an Examiner for the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, helping to develop their examination programme.
D’Cruze came to New Zealand in 2006 and in Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra made him their first full-time Music Director in 2008.
Rupert has a busy guest conducting schedule in NZ and he has worked with the Hamilton Civic Choir and Opus Orchestra, the Manukau City Symphony Orchestra, the Auckland Choral Society, the St. Matthews Chamber Orchestra, Auckland and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. He has recently been appointed Musical Director of Dalewool Auckland Brass, one of this country’s most successful brass bands.

Rhapsody Rotorua Event Information

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29 June - 4 July 2010
5 July - 10 July 2011
26 June - 3 July 2012
5 July - 9 July 2013
1 July - 6 July 2014

Rhapsody Rotorua is our signature event and is the foremost International Schools Music Festival in New Zealand. With hundreds of participants it offers 3 days of full on music involvement.
Bands, orchestras, choirs, ensembles, percussion groups, jazz groups, stage bands, guitar ensembles, tin whistlers and whatever type of performing art all gather to participate in concert performances, adjudication, tutoring, clinics, master classes, workshops and play-outs.
Perform in concert at the Rotorua Convention Centre Theatre and the Concert Hall. Play as your ensemble and be mixed with other students to enhance your musical repertoire and playing skills. Perform in Honours and Festival groups at a Gala Public Performance. Some of the more advanced students rehearse and play with the Rodger Fox Band.

Enjoy the Rhapsody experience whilst enjoying the “study rewards”, cultural and geothermal activities and the thrilling adventure Rotorua has to offer. Enjoy Country Fair and Mayoral Welcome and Dance Party at the Agrodome, a Maori Cultural night with Concert, Hangi, Gala Presentation Dinner and dance party and fun filled experiences, all combined to entertain you. Enjoy some post festival touring including skiing, white water rafting and sailing to name a few.

Pricing

Australian Schools
Due to the wide range of departure points, airfares and related taxes, group sizes, baggage requirements exchange rates etc we ask that you contact Group Events Toll Free 1800 655 661 to discuss your needs.

New Zealand Schools
Special low cost packages are available to New Zealand Schools. 6 day packages available from $650 per person. For more information please contact Group Events Toll Free 0800 442 554

International Schools
Other international schools are quoted on an individual basis depending on the destination of departure. Please contact Group Events where a Tour Consultant will personally assist you in planning a tour to suit your requirements.

Pre and Post Touring Options

100% Guaranteed to Take Your Breath Away!
You may consider extending to take advantage of Pre or Post Touring Options.

Enjoy the thrills of Skiing at Whakapapa – Mt Ruapehu.

Have fun experiencing snow at Whakapapa in Tongariro National Park.

Try awesome Whitewater rafting through Tongariro National Park.

Be amazed by a visit to Te Papa Museum Wellington.

Sail with the Pride of Auckland

Soak or Slide at Wairewa’s Infinity Spa and Water Park.

Or for the more adventurous:

Visit Whakatane and complete an educational Qualmark Endorsed visit to White Island, an active Volcano.

Explore the beautiful Bay of Islands.

Experience the adventure, trills, grandeur and the awesome attractions of New Zealand’s majestic South Island.

Explore the magnificent Waitomo Caves. Explore the Ruakuri Caves and Blackwater raft the Black Labyrinth and the exciting waters below the caves.

TAURANGA JAZZ FESTIVAL

THE LONGEST RUNNING FESTIVAL IN TYHE WORLD IS 32 YEARS OLD / 1 - 5 2010

Group Events is booking Australian School Bands to tour and take part.

The competition is THE opportunity in New Zealand for young aspirung musicians to showcase their talents alnog side other like-minded jazz enthusiasts and all of that against the backdrop of the country's longest standing Jazz Festival.

the 2010 Festival will feature two days of cometition (Friday and Saturday) in the Baycourt Theatre Complx. Sunday will include master classes and workshops and a Young Gun knock-out concert. A competition judging panel will comprise a mix of local and international jazz musicians.

The Port of Taurange Youth Jazz Competitioon 2010 is a celebration of young musiciansa, competitive but loads of fun. The $1000 prize money for winner of the MOST OUSTANDING JAZZ BAND and an invitation for the COMBO OPEN winners to perform during the National Jazz Fewstival are just the icing on the cake.

SO join us for the weekend and register early. We are looking forwrad to hearing you perform.

~*(Above based on 2009 program ... 2010 program for release shortly)*~

Arrangements for choirs, concert bnads and orchestras touring with your jazz band and special tutoring and exteded touring us available.

INTERESTED IN EASTER 2010 OR 2012 - CONTACT USNOW ...
Keith Weber
Phone: 02 9773 1133
Freecall: 1800 665 661
Email: keith@groupevents.com.au
Lic No: 2TA4495

Day 1

MONDAY - Home Port / AUCKLAND / ROTORUA

NOTE: THERE ARE VARIED AIR NEW zEALAND FLIGHTS DEPARTING TODAY.

GROUP EVENTS WILL BE CHASING BEST GROUP FARES SO THE FLIGHTS AND DETAIL MAY BE VARIED TO SUIT.

Board your Oceania Coachlines Coach and follow the Motorway south to the centre of Maori Culture, Rotorua.

Arrive Rotorua and check in.

Dinner: Dine together in the Jimmy Cook's Kiwi Kitchen in the Hotel Dining room.

Accommodation:Kingsgate Hotel Rotorua (or similar) 6 nights - Teachers twin Share - Students multi share - Dinner, bed and breakfast basis - (Dinner out 3 nights)

Day 2

TUESDAY - ROTORUA

After Breakfast - Transfers to packaged Leisure Qualmark Assured Study Rewards / sightseeing or to your local performance venues – Local Schools Rotorua Museum or City Focus. Collect your bottled water as you board the coach

A boxed Lunch will be delivered to you where ever you are.

FUN TIME: ….. An adventure activity will be allocated here from your chosen leisure package. See Qualmarked Study Rewards /Leisure pack…….Relax, go shopping or rehearse. (Rehearsal space available as pre requested.)

Depart for the Agrodome for a Country Carnival, Mayoral Welcome, Dinner, Entertainment and Dance Party.

Agrodome Welcome Gala Function:
Welcome gala function commences: Here you will see a unique farm with an exhibition of sheep breeds, some shearing and information on wool classification and production. See lambs fed, they are bred here monthly; see a dairy cow milked and the huntaway and eye dog working.

Farm Show ends. Entertainment begins. Maori Culture Group. Mayoral Welcome and Karakia for blessing of the food. Dinner - country fair style food, mix and mingle.

Dance Party commences. In 2009 this place was really rockin’.

Coaches commence return to hotels

Day 3

WEDNESDAY - ROTORUA
After Breakfast - Transfers to Qualmark Assured Study Rewards /packaged Leisure / sightseeing or to your local performance venues – Local Schools or City Focus.

Adjudicated performances and workshops commence. When not rehearsing or performing today time will be allocated for sightseeing and local performances.

Lunch provided at suitable time and location.

Honours Groups and any Specialist Groups rehearse: Free time for non involved students.

Transfers from Convention Centre to accommodation.

Tamaki Maori Village, Hangi and Cultural Experience:

Assemble in the lobby ready to depart. Wear warm clothes as part of this evening will be outdoors.

Tamaki Maori Village:Qualmark endorsed visitor activity
You will be joined by a Tamaki Village Maori guide and will enjoy a different Maori experience. They will come in special Maori Coaches which will be turned into a mythical Waka (canoe) and you will paddle and chant your way to the Pa (their sacred home). Tonight you will feast together on food cooked the Maori way in a "Hangi" - (a feast cooked in a hole in the ground).

Experience the Wero (challenge). The Whaikorero (speeches), the Hongi (greeting) - pressing of noses. Enjoy the song, dance, poi and haka of the Maori. Learn the history of these proud people. Enjoy this popular Maori concert. From the moment that you walk towards their Taurangawaiwai (standing grounds) you will be enthralled with the welcome (Powhiri), the challenge (Wero) and the call of welcome (Karanga).

You will take part in the formal speech making, (Whaikorero) and advance through the village to the meeting house, (Wharerunanga) where you will be entertained. Learn about setting and lifting the Hangi. Enjoy the food (Kai) and the after dinner entertainment.

Travel back to your hotel and off to bed.

Day 4 & 5

THURSDAY ROTORUA
After Breakfast - Transfers to the Convention Centre commence.

Adjudicated performances and workshops commence. When not rehearsing or performing today time will be allocated for sightseeing and local performances.

Lunch provided at suitable time and location.

Honours Band and Festival Specialist Groups rehearse: Free time available for students not involved.

Transfers from Convention Centre to accommodation.

Dinner commences at your hotel. Return transfers to suit.

Evening Public Concert ONE (Individual School Showcase) Commences at Convention Centre Theatre. Tonight each school’s ensembles will perform.

Concert Concludes. Shuttle Bus transfers to your accommodation.

FRIDAY ROTORUA
After Breakfast - Transfer to the Theatre Master Classes and Special Clinics. (Coaches to shuttle between venues at changeover times)

Clinic 1 until 1030 – Choose your clinic from list supplied by Music Director, Grant Burns ( The list varies from year to year to meet needs of those attending).

Honours and Festival Specialist Group rehearsals until 1230.

Lunch provided at the Convention Centre.

Clinic 2 until 1500 - Choose your clinic from list supplied by Music Director, Grant Burns.

Honours Groups and any Festival Specialist Groups rehearse until 1700.

Transfers from Convention Centre to accommodation.

Dinner commences at Kingsgate hotel. Return transfers to suit.

Evening Public Concert TWO (Honours & Festival Groups) Commences at Convention Centre Theatre. Enjoy a Special appearance by the Rodger Fox and his New Zealand University of Music Quartet, with vocalist Jazz singer Erna Ferry. Honours students will have the opportunity to play with them as will Jazz Singers perform with both at the Friday concert. Other Honours and Festival groups will have similar opportunities developed for them.

Concert Concludes. Shuttle Bus transfers to your accommodation.

Day 6

SATURDAY - ROTORUA
After Breakfast - Depart and do the remainder of Quality Assured Study Rewards /Leisure activity / Sightseeing inclusions See Leisure Fun Package … More activity, more FUN! (See separate page) Activities are slotted in throughout the week and finalised today).

“Rhapsody Rotorua” Gala Presentation Night and Dinner: Transfer to the Rotorua Convention Centre.

The Gala Evening commences at Rotorua Convention Centre banquet room.
Special school presentations and award presentations of gold silver and bronze awards to all participating groups.

This evening has a party night theme. Students and teachers are welcome to dress accordingly with carnival hats etc. This is a real Cool Dance Party Night.

Students’ “Dance Party” commences. Enjoy the fun and mixing with others. It’s your night, have fun!

Gala Dinner concludes Shuttles to accommodation commence.

Day 7

SUNDAY - ROTORUA / AUCKLAND / HOME PORTS / POST TOUR OPTIONS
Breakfast.

Depart Rotorua and travel via Highway 27 across the Hauraki plains. At Pokeno climb the Bombay Hills and travel through an agricultural area which feeds Auckland's vegetable needs. Drop down to Manakau City and South Auckland suburbs.

OPTIONS: Commence an Auckland City sightseeing tour. The depth of this will depend on homeward bound flight arrangements. OR shopping at Sylvia Park, New Zealand’s largest and newest shopping Centre.

Arrive at Auckland International Airport and check in. A Group Events representative will assist with your check in for Air New Zealand Flight

TOUR ENDS - or commence post touring options:

CHINA AND WORLD EXPO 2010 SHANGHAI

We are inviting your school to represent Australia and be part of Shanghai World Expo 2010.

We toured many New Zealand and Australian schools to Expo in Brisbane 20 years ago. We will be doing the same in 2010. Shanghai, known as the “Oriental Pearl”, the world’s 8th largest city, is much further away, more exotic, more exciting and rich in historic and cultural resources.

Education Opportunity: Themed “Better City, Better Life” Shanghai World Expo 2010 focuses on new thinking, new technologies and new practice. 147 countries will be represented, plus 17 organisations have confirmed their participation. 70 million people are expected to visit Expo. The Australia Pavilion has a prime location and thousands of people will visit daily.

Performance Opportunity: We have arrangements in place for Australian schools to apply to perform at the Australian Pavilion. Stage Bands, Big Bands, Concert Bands, Orchestras, Choirs and other approved ensembles can perform subject to the event schedule. To apply you must provide a show reel. Arrangements for your travel and participation must be arranged exclusively by this company in conjunction with the Australian Government Contractors managing the Expo Pavilion. This will ensure tours are arranged, approved, controlled and properly managed throughout. Should the Expo agency reject your show reel or your tour time does not fit the Expo performance schedules, your expo tour time can be adjusted and additional performance opportunities provided elsewhere.

Conditions Apply:
Any group interested in performing would first need to have planned with this company a self-funded trip to Shanghai. To pre-qualify for expo performance you must provide Group Events with an audition show reel of your performance capabilities. We then apply to the Expo Pavilion Managers with the intended dates of travel and see that they have a performance vacancy still available for you. The Expo Management are unable to offer any performance opportunities in advance as each application will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

Interested? We need you to register your interest early so we can all plan your tour. Tours must be self funded and we have many ideas of how you can do this.

Firm costings: These will not be available until 11 months prior to travel. Meantime you should budget for a basic per person cost of around AU$2500 for a 6 day Shanghai only tour It is important you set up your “Band-Boosters” and fundraising campaign now to meet the challenges. Get your local service clubs working on this too? This is a one off opportunity.

Our base Itineraries: Our 6, 7, and 8 day tours include 2 days at World Expo, sightseeing and 1 or 2 school visits to perform and exchange with your host students. Customised or more extensive itineraries with more performances are available on application. Opportunities also exist to travel to Xian and see the Terracotta Warriors, visit Beijing to see Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City and the cultural sights seen during the 2008 Olympics.

1. Registration: Copy and complete the attached Registration form now and return by fax to +61 2 9773 1899 or do it online to http://www.groupevents.com.au/enquiries.php
Email your interest ask for our China tour DVD or watch online

2. Deposits: $500.00 per person paid to register/confirm airline bookings. Once you have been accepted by the Australian Expo Pavilion Management to perform and you have accepted to perform as they require, a further $2000.00 performance deposit per group is payable and is Non Refundable. This will be credited to your tour account final payment. If not accepted by Expo Management this performance deposit is not required.

3. Balance of Payment: The final tour cost will be required not later than 65 days prior to Travel.

4. Supervising Teachers: Our costs are based on 1 teacher NEC (No extra Charge) for each 12 students travelling. The maximum NEC is 4 teachers. Alternatively we can work to your instruction and do a special costing. Airline Taxes, Government Levies, passports, Visas and Travel Insurance are at Teacher’s own cost.

Starting early will allow your school the best chance of representing Australia and performing at World Expo Shanghai 2010. Take full advantage of this educational opportunity and combine extended visits to schools / universities and more places in China. A visit to World Expo 2010 in Shanghai, China is a unique reward for dedicated study.

Feel free to discuss this direct Toll Free. It will ring in Sydney so watch the time. TOLL FREE 1800 655 661 - talk to Rod Bird.