There is a thriving music department at Liston that aims to provide the best opportunities for students to enjoy making music together. Students have the chance to participate in a variety of co-curricular groups. Our musicians have a reputation for excellence and we aim to challenge and extend each student so that they can succeed beyond their expectations.

Music groups at Liston

Beginner Band - A group of Year 7 and 8 students who started learning playing their instruments at the beginning of the year.

Junior Band - A group of mostly junior students who aim to strengthen their instrumental skills and expand their understanding of various musical styles.

Junior Jazz Band – Called the “Not Senior” Jazz Band. This group is for students who are interested in exploring Jazz styles. This band is led by Mr Davenport and several senior musicians

Concert Band -  Performs a challenging repertoire of classical and contemporary pieces, continuously stretching the students to play at their very highest level. In 2021, our Concert Band gained Bronze at the KBB Music Festival, then in 2022 they received Silver. More recently in 2023, the Concert Band won Gold at the KBB Music Festival.

Jazz Band - A traditional ’big band’ which focuses on the genres of Swing, Latin jazz and other popular forms of music. In 2019, these students won the prize for top jazz band at the WeBO Festival in Wellington. In 2021 and 2023, our Jazz Band gained Silver at the KBB Music Festival.

All Bands are conducted and led by our Band director Chad Davenport.

Junior Choir – for students with treble voices (years 7-9) led by Mrs Pascariu.

Liturgy Band – this group leads the school in singing for Masses and Liturgies. 

Student Bands – students are encouraged to create bands and enter competitions such as Rockquest, Tangata Beats and Bandquest. This is facilitated by Mrs Pascariu with tutoring by Jason Herbert.

Music – Itinerant Tuition

The following instruments are taught at Liston College:

• Guitar/ Bass Guitar
• Drums
• Piano
• Flute
• Clarinet
• Saxophone
• Voice
• Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba, Euphonium

There is limited availability of itinerant lessons, particularly for popular instruments such as piano, guitar and drums. Students involved in the school bands or those taking music in year 10 – 13 are priority students for lessons.  

Music staff:

• HOD Music: Lucy Pascariu 
• Flute: Lyndon Alford 
• Saxophone, Band Director: Chad Davenport 
• Clarinet: Donald Nicholls 
• Brass: Tim Sutton 
• Voice: Ella Monnery 
• Guitar and Bass: Jason Herbert
• Drums: Ben Frater