The HSM was founded in 1966, by Mrs. Oates, the music teacher at Howick Intermediate School, to teach the recorder to a few children. It has since grown over the years to become the second largest community music school in New Zealand, catering for over 600 young people per year, playing a range of classical instruments, keyboard, recorder and guitar.

Most of the children at HSM learn in small groups and come together to play in ensembles, bands or orchestras from a very early stage of their training.

This year has seen some new events started and some old traditions continued. Nigel has instigated Junior and Senior music competitions to encourage friendly competition between the best musicians in the Music School. I always thoroughly enjoy the traditional annual
concerts where all the children have a chance to highlight their skills to their parents, friends
and families.

HSM embodies the notion that music skills and social skills go hand in hand. We are motivated by a dual commitment -instruction of exceptional artistic quality and broad based participation.

We believe that having fun whilst learning is inseparable from achieving high standards of musical excellence, and that music is an essential element in the enrichment of the human spirit.

The HSM wouldn't run without the help of parent volunteers, and I thank everyone for the contributions made in the shop, at enrolment time and on the committee.
Finally a big thank you to all you parents for bringing your children to our school on Saturdays and Tuesdays and encouraging them to practise during the rest of the week. From my own experience, I know just how hard it is to fit everything into a very busy schedule.

May I again thank the teachers, the children, the student assistants, the committee and of course our hardworking admin team of Barbara and Anne, for making my involvement with the school such a pleasure moving forward into 2010.

John Manning
Chairman