Patchara Khamphawa (left), 11, from Mission Heights Junior College, Jeorgina Munoz, 12, from Papatoetoe Intermediate, Andrew Vo, 13, from Papatoetoe High, Esther Park, 14, from One Tree Hill College, and Samaira Ahmed, 11, from Papatoetoe Intermediate, practise for the String Together concert at Kahu St David's Centre. Photo / Alex Robertson
Patchara Khamphawa (left), 11, from Mission Heights Junior College, Jeorgina Munoz, 12, from Papatoetoe Intermediate, Andrew Vo, 13, from Papatoetoe High, Esther Park, 14, from One Tree Hill College, and Samaira Ahmed, 11, from Papatoetoe Intermediate, practise for the String Together concert at Kahu St David's Centre. Photo / Alex Robertson
A three-day music festival at Kāhui St David’s, Auckland’s newest centre for music, is an opportunity for the next generation of New Zealand children to develop technique and skills and to experience performing with others in public.
“We’re creating a gala concert, the crescendo of a three-day festival that bringstogether some of our most celebrated musicians – New Zealand Trio (NZTrio) and others,” said Paul Baragwanath, a director of Kāhui St David’s and Friend’s of St David’s Kāhui Rangi Pūpū.
“They’re providing these extraordinary workshops for musicians of all levels, from university level right through to kids who have been playing for just a few years.”
A three-day music festival at Kāhui St David’s in Auckland aims to develop the technique and skills of students. Photo / Alex Robertson
Baragwanath said the workshops, focused on stringed instruments, are an opportunity for students at all levels to be tutored by top musicians in this country.
“This is the second year we’ve done it, and we’re doing it again because it was such a success last year,” he said.
“It’s extraordinary to see the progression in the students in just two days: their technique, their confidence, the quality of the music they produce is at another level.”
Tironui Music Trust head of strings Veronica Dale, who is bringing 15 students to this year’s festival, said the event helps to foster talent it identifies in students, including some who have attained grade five in two years of study.
“It’s getting bigger, and [we’re] getting the potential from such a young age as opposed to just trying it out and moving on,” she said. “Some of these kids will have a career in music.”
The highlight of the weekend is a gala concert on Sunday afternoon featuring NZTrio, rising star Madeleine Xiao from the University of Auckland on piano, quartets and ensembles of University of Auckland students, and the big “play-in” involving all the students.
The concert of eight pieces includes an arrangement for 30-plus players, from Samoan musician and educator Poulima Salima, of two works based on traditional Samoan music – Falealili Uma and Ie Lavalava – that he formerly composed for NZTrio.
Poulima Salima, Samoan musician and educator at Kahui St David's centre for music on Khyber Pass central Auckland. Photo / Alex Robertson
“The original piece is a chant in Samoan – this is before organs and other instruments, so it was a cappella choir and clapping,” Salima said.
“People will definitely enjoy it in terms of its dance-hall fun nature and its liveliness, and they’ll get to experience a part of Samoan culture through this orchestra arrangement.”
Salima said the opportunity to share music and culture is special.
“Yes, it’s a performance, but it’s also passing down our knowledge on to the next generation, and that’s something I really enjoy.”
String Together is on at Kāhui St David’s from Friday, March 20 until Sunday, March 22. The gala performance is at 3pm, Sunday March 22. For more information, go to www.kahuistdavids.nz
