Great Hall Open Rehearsal Saturday Series

You like a free concert; they want a sublime practice venue and a sympathetic audience. You don’t need an MBA to call that a win: win!

For a limited time, we’re hosting open rehearsals in the Great Hall on Saturday afternoons. We’ve selected top notch, local groups to support with this opportunity. Since these are rehearsals, you’ll get a glimpse behind the curtain at how a group prepares, what trips them up, and what they need to drill.

Drop in or stay throughout, but please be courteous and take your conversations outside.

ChCh Musicians United - The Woodshed Sessions

Saturday 16 August | 1-2.30pm

The woodshed sessions will be select group of fine local musicians playing traditional, authentic and old School AI music. That being ….

 Arrangements inspired by Adept Individuals playing Actual Instruments …..

Ok, you can now create a AI song in minutes using online tools, but what about the honesty and joy of experiencing real people from the community composing and arranging an original song before your very eyes - We call this Woodshedding.

Voices Co. (A Cappella) 

Saturday 23 August | 1-2.30 pm

Ever secretly wanted to sing in a choir... but cooler?

Think Glee, Pub Choir, Pitch Perfect — but with a local twist.

This is your sign!

This August come backstage and join us in the rehearsal room, at this one-off FREE Open Sing event— a 90min, high-energy session where you can watch, sing, and experience the magic of Pop A Cappella, alongside our Academy vocalists.

No auditions, no solos, just good vibes and harmony-filled fun.

Who’s it for?
Anyone aged 16+ who loves to sing — car diva's, shower performers, karaoke enthusiasts, choir singers, and total newbies welcome. If you're aca-curious, this is the perfect way to dip your toe in, no previous experience necessary! We'll teach you all the content in the room, so don't worry about preparing anything, just come along ready to add your voice to the mix and we promise it'll be MAGIC!

What will we be doing?

Singing! But more specifically, we'll be:

• learning part of a new pop arrangement
• having a go at some lush harmonies
• finding out what makes Pop A Cappella so fun
• having a WILD time!

Led by Musical Director Julian Hay — a harmony wizard and vocal powerhouse known for turning everyday singers into show-stoppers. With his infectious energy and razor-sharp ears, Julian makes music-making feel effortless, electric, and downright addictive.

Let go. Sing loud. Find your people!

Spaces are limited, so BOOK HERE!

Sideline Swing (Jazz)

Saturday 30 August | 1-3pm

Sideline Swing is a Christchurch based community Big Band playing Swing (and other) tunes from the 1910s to today. We like to keep things fun and light hearted in our performances, with a bit of humour whenever we can. Our members range in age across 7 decades, and our repertoire spans more than a century.

Under the musical leadership of renowned trumpet player, Kaiaho “Butch” Green since 1994, Sideline Swing provide Christchurch and Canterbury audiences with lively, danceable, and fun shows, playing classic tunes from familiar favourites like Frank Sinatra, Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Ella Fitzgerald, and more. We can be heard playing for local businesses, private parties, community, and public events.