Stairway to Heaven - StAC Prizegiving Finale 2023

Here is the finale item from the 2023 Prizegiving at the Wolfbrook Arena. This item has been great bringing together the school orchestra, senior choir and rock musicians for an epic ending to our Prizegiving.
Featuring Grace Burnett on vocals, Mia Fraser on lead guitar and James McIver on rhythm guitar. Conducted by Mark Hodgkinson with concertmaster Sea-am Thompson.
Thanks to Duncan Ferguson for the audio mix and Paul Sparkes for the video editing. Special mention to Sean from The Light Site for the lighting design.

[numericalbrass]

They did this in one take. No lip syncing no auto tuning. I was lucky enough to be there to get the full impact. It was amazing.

[dandy]

How proud would you be if you were a parent of one of these extremely talented young people? I watched this in awe, with a tear in my eye.
Congratulations to everybody involved in this magnificent performance.

[ianmilstead]

They all did this song justice, which is no mean feat. But I especially loved it when one of the guitarists slowly steps up to center stage, kicks it to the bridge pickup, and then dives into a blistering version of one of the most iconic solos of all time. She then calmly falls back as if nothing has happened, to let the singer and rythim guitarists reclaim the center stage. Alll very professional, talented and egoless. A job well done by all.

[stuchristie]

Almost everyone is too frightened to do stairway to heaven because no one wants to compete against the original. But St Andrew’s didn’t hold back, and they have smashed it out of the park. This performance is equivalent to that produced for President Obama at the Kennedy Centre a few years ago. But this time produced by a single school in the middle of Aotearoa NZ with a population 60X smaller. Now that’s concentrated talent. And every single person involved in the production should feel super-proud for their contribution. Without them, that full-on sound would not have been accomplished. Good job - totally world class.

[Willnzl]

I am a 70 year old git who grew up with Zeppelin. Have heard so many covers of it over the years made by professional musicians. This group of "amateurs" produced a cover that is heads and shoulders above all those other covers, made all the more extraordinary by the sheer number of them all working in perfect harmony. Brought shivers to my spine.... have added their cover to my vast collection of Zeppelin which I listen to on a daily basis. WELL DONE!!!!

[rebeccaslack]

That is incredible. The guitar solo is phenomenal. Out of this world. The director of music at the school deserves a huge pat on the back for taking on, and pulling off that superb performance.

[jeekay]

With tears in an old rock fans eyes wow

[razzutal]

Was wondering how the solo would go but Mia Fraser as lead guitarist stepped up and nailed it. Respect.

[kevingilbertson]

I was a teenager when Stairway was released a very difficult period of my life and Zeppelin and Stairway helped get me through it. I was blessed to have seen Led Zeppelin in concert twice. Still my #1 Favorite song and band. I've never accepted a cover of Stairway To Heaven.... Until now...this is amazing you absolutely freakin nailed it...seriously you blew me away awesome job ❤❤❤ Grace & Mia Robert Plant & Jimmy Page would be in awe you killed it.

[bayrockwhk]

Just brilliant!
This song was released 30-40 years before these kids were born...they've nailed it!
Well done everyone!

[_thumbs_up_baby]

That girls guitar solo. Fantastic. Wow
Bravo to everyone 👍👍👏👏👏👏

[MilesNaylor-gu]

Unbelievable. 69 year old male. Brought tears to my eyes . These are a talented bunch of young New Zealanders. Makes me proud to be a kiwi❤ well done to everyone that made this such a beautiful performance

[rebeccawood]

Brought me to tears, to see the next generation bringing a song that defined my generation to life is simply priceless!! Top marks!!! 😍

[ChrisLambden-tg]

Six months later, I still play this probably once a week ... It is so impressive. A well-tutored group of students practised their part and they came together just a few days before this single once-only performance. Stairway's place in musical history is guaranteed by this awesome performance. I was 18 when it was written ... and to hear it in this context is amazing. Massive respect all round.

[julietbuckler]

Wow. Absolutely amazing. The emphasis on the arts in Christchurch schools is something very special.

[lovesallweneed]

Zeppelin would be proud of this rendition. Bravo to all band members. Young lady's voice is just beautiful. Your parents must be proud of you. Kudos to you all.

[johnpyle]

I'm watching this in Phoenix Arizona just in awe. The performances are outstanding. Not a single student has mailed it in. The music directors should be proud, as should every participant and their families.

[JohanHugo]

New Joni Mitchell, the look and the voice. beautiful
👍

[janeburgess]

Congratulations! Outstanding performance ❤ I’m 67 years old and I have heard a few good covers of this iconic song, this is one of the best ones 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🙌🙌🙌

[moggy]

What an outstanding performance, congratulations to the staff that produced the performance and prepared the students but especially to the soloists, musicians and choristers who had the ability and confidence to present such a legendary piece of music.