Polyhymnia is a combined choir with students from Queen’s and King’s High Schools. It is an auditioned choir for those with a passion
for singing at an excellent level. Polyhymnia perform at inter-school competitions and other important Queen’s and King’s events. On
numerous occasions they have been selected to participate in the South Island Choral competition, Cadenza.

Students who play instruments suitable for Chamber Music may be selected to join a group. Every effort is made to combine students of a similar age and ability. An annual inter-school competition is available for those who wish to enter.

Junior and senior students may opt for involvement in drama productions apart from drama in the curriculum. For seniors there is an annual major production – involvement is by audition. A wide variety of drama is presented in the King’s and Queen’s Auditorium.

Hip Hop is an extracurricular activity students can participate in at Queen’s High School. The crews compete regionally and nationally and have enjoyed success over the many years the activity has been available.

Hip Hop is a chance for students to pursue their love of dance, meet new friends and compete as a team in Dunedin and around New Zealand.

Auditions are held late in Term 1 and training and performances run throughout Term 2 and 3.

Queen B and the Swing Kings form the joint Queen’s and King’s High School jazz band. Students who play brass, saxophone, drums, piano, clarinet, guitar or sing may be invited to join the band. They play at many events during the year and annually participate in the Dunedin Youth Jazz Festival.

Our school kapa haka group, He Waka Kōtuia, is a combined group with King’s High School for those who have a passion for Māori performing arts. Practices take place throughout the year and the group participates in many community events such as the Otago Schools Māori and Pacific Festival (Polyfest) , Te Hautoka (Otago/Southland secondary schools kapa haka competition) and Ngā Manu Kōrero (Māori speech competition).

He Waka Kōtuia is tutored by community members who give our students the opportunity to learn waiata and stories from the mana whenua. 

He Waka Kōtuia are the current winners of Te Hautoka, the Otago/Southland secondary schools’ kapa haka competition.  They have competed in the last four National Secondary Schools’ competitions in Whangarei, Gisborne, Napier and Palmerston North.

Students from all levels join with King’s High School students for the presentation of an annual musical production in the King’s and Queen’s auditorium.

Students who have mastered the basic skills of an instrument, whether learned through school or not, may be invited to take part in the Queen’s and King’s Orchestra. There are regular practices towards performances at important school events.

Pasifika students welcome others from diverse backgrounds to form The Queens of the Pacific. Together, they grace the stage to learn and celebrate dance and song from a number of Pacific Island cultures. A major focus for the group is the Otago Polyfest for which they perform a 15 minute routine.

This is an annual competition between high school bands. Students need to work with others in writing and performing their own music. Competition takes place in the first part of the year, but students may continue with their band throughout the year, with assistance from music teachers if they wish.

Those with an appreciation of Shakespeare beyond that taught in the classroom may join in a group to take part in an annual inter-school Shakespeare Festival.

When there is student demand, Theatre Sports teams are formed to take part in a variety of inter-school and inter-club Theatre Sports competitions. There is ample opportunity for practice of skills throughout the school year.