New collaborative music programme begins soon

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Join in for a whole new experience of learning, creating and connecting with music through an exciting music-based programme which arrives in Tairāwhiti this May.

The programme is presented in collaboration between Gisborne International Music Competition (GIMC) and Chamber Music New Zealand (CMNZ).

With three distinct areas of focus — learn, create, and connect — the programme is designed with the intention of delivering benefits to a wide range of participants of all ages and musical experience, including people living with disabilities, at-risk youth, and students from intermediate and secondary schools.

Now in its second year, the community engagement programme will include an array of workshops and opportunities all centred around music — from song writing, through multi art-form school residencies, to a masterclass with professional touring musicians.

It begins with a multi art-form creative residency at Gisborne Intermediate School from May 10-12, where CMNZ tutors

will provide students with the opportunity to blend musical performance with circus arts.

The three-day residency will culminate in a performance for the school community and whānau.

Building upon connections created through workshops held last year, will see the CMNZ community engagement team returning to Matapuna Training Centre and Tauawhi Men’s Centre from May 15-17 for another series of creative workshops.

Matapuna students will explore bucket drumming, ukulele playing, and continue on their original songwriting journey, helped along by CMNZ’s music tutors.

Through this fun, yet challenging exploration, they are free to tap into their own musical ideas and are                                                                                                                  encouraged to share through performance in a safe space.

At Tauawhi, the CMNZ engagement team will be working alongside three support groups, developing different musical sessions suited to each group.

All sessions will be centred around the joy of music-making and channel its incredible potential for building positive connections.

Throughout next month, professional musicians will offer coaching for secondary school music students participating in the NZCT Chamber Music Contest.

This year’s Tairāwhiti programme continues throughout the year with a series of music-based workshops and initiatives for different members of the community.

GIMC chair Dame Bronwen Holdsworth said she was delighted that feedback from the first year of the partnership was that the workshops were engaging and that the sessions had an immediate effect on the musical experiences of those who attended.

“Paramount to our thinking in this partnership with CMNZ was being true to our goals of providing for the advancement of music education and engagement in Gisborne, while enhancing the educational, experiential, and aspirational opportunities for young musicians,” she said.

The programme stems from a three-year partnership where the GIMC has partnered with CMNZ to deliver music-based workshops throughout Tairāwhiti Gisborne communities.