Alex Gibson, a 15-year-old saxophonist from Burnside High School, has achieved global recognition after being awarded the prestigious Top in the World accolade for Cambridge IGCSE Music.
The news came as a complete shock to Alex. When he received an email from the Burnside High School Deputy Principal informing him of his achievement, he was so stunned that he dropped his phone. While he knew he had performed well in the internal components of the syllabus—compositions and solo performances, which make up 60 percent of the overall grade—he never expected to receive the top global honour.
Alex, who has been playing the saxophone since Year 5, has explored a variety of genres throughout his musical journey. In Year 9, he began formally studying music and, by Year 11, was tackling Cambridge IGCSEs in both Music and Mathematics.
For his internal assessments in 2024, Alex composed two pieces of music: one for alto saxophone and piano and another large ensemble piece written for the Burnside High School Funk Band. He also showcased his talent through both a solo and group performance.
The external exam, which accounted for 40 percent of the final grade, was listening-based. Alex described it as a challenging yet rewarding experience.
“We were played some unfamiliar music and asked to identify the era it was from and who might have composed it,” Alex said. “There was a piece of World Music, and we had to name the instruments and their roles in the music. There were also in-depth questions about Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Latin American music.”
Alex praised the Cambridge curriculum for its depth and diversity. “What I like about the music curriculum is how comprehensive it is across different genres and styles. You can be studying Bach one moment and African music the next—it’s a well-rounded curriculum,” he said.
Principal of Burnside High School, Scott Haines, commended Alex’s dedication and passion for music.
“Alex’s dedication to musical excellence, countless hours of practice, and unwavering commitment to his craft have culminated in this outstanding result,” Haines said. “This achievement speaks volumes about his talent, work ethic, and passion for music. It also reflects wonderfully on our teachers, particularly Dr Helen Renaud and our music department, who have supported and guided Alex throughout his musical journey at Burnside.”
Head of Music, Chris Petch, echoed this sentiment, highlighting Alex’s impressive track record of awards since joining Burnside’s Specialist Music Programme in 2022.
“This is an outstanding achievement for Alex, who has already collected a number of regional and national awards for his saxophone playing,” Petch said. “Alex is a great example of what is possible when natural talent is matched by relentless energy and a flawless work ethic, and we could not be prouder of him.”
Alex expressed his gratitude to those who supported him, including his teacher, Dr Helen Renaud, his friend Michael Khor, who played piano for his first composition, and the members of the Burnside High School Funk Band, who performed his second composition.
“The music department is a great opportunity to be among peers with similar interests and passions,” Alex said. “I’d like to say a massive thank you to everyone who supported me—my friends, family, and especially the music department. My family has always been supportive, even turning on RNZ Concert so I could identify the pieces.”
Burnside High School, with a current roll of 2,660 students, is known for having one of the most impressive music departments in the country, with four core music teachers and visiting tutors offering weekly lessons.
Looking ahead, Alex is keeping his options open, balancing music with his passion for humanities, languages, and STEM subjects.
“There are so many different pathways I would like to go down, and I’m really enjoying STEM subjects,” he said. “But I will always keep performing and playing music.”
The Top in the World award comes from Cambridge International Education, part of the University of Cambridge in England. In 2024, more than two million students from 160 countries and 10,000 schools worldwide participated in Cambridge examinations.
Alex’s achievement was officially recognised at a ceremony celebrating New Zealand’s top-performing students on Thursday, 20 February, at the University of Auckland.
Principal Scott Haines said Alex’s accomplishment sets a new standard for excellence at Burnside High School.
“Alex has set a new benchmark for excellence at Burnside High School, and his achievement will inspire future generations of musicians and Cambridge students,” Haines said. “We are incredibly proud of Alex and look forward to following his continued success.”
