Taste of the top,Playing level at national workshop extends locals

ONE MORE FOR THE WINDS: Not only have four Gisborne Concert Band musicians been accepted into the New Zealand Youth Symphonic Winds July programme, flute player Rebekah Hakiwai has also earned a place. This will be the second year in which the Girls’ High student and Trois Papillon member will take part in a week of music and concerts with New Zealand Youth Symphonic Winds. Rebekah has attended the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra’s summer programme for the past three years and is now studying towards and Associate of Trinity College London diploma and Level 3 classical music at Gisborne Girls High. Gisborne Concert Band member Morgan Kibble, who has also been accepted into the New Zealand Youth Symphonic Winds programme, plays clarinet, not the flute as incorrectly reported on Wednesday. ENDS

PLAYING for the country’s top youth wind ensemble was an exciting and eye-opening experience for three Gisborne students.

Blaze Hubbard and Rebekah Hakiwai (Gisborne Girls’ High School) and Micah Russell (Gisborne Boys’ High School) travelled to Wellington at the weekend for a four-day workshop and concert with the New Zealand Youth Symphonic Winds.

“It was pretty fun — the playing level was a lot higher than what we’re used to,” said Micah. “I got to play an $18,000 bass clarinet, that was pretty cool.”

Blaze, who plays the alto saxophone, agreed but said she was particularly impressed by the music selected by director Flight Lieutenant Simon Brew, including The Florentiner March by Czech composer Julius Fucik.

A highlight of the weekend for all three musicians was an arrangement from 2004 animated superhero film The Incredibles.

The wind ensemble performed at St Andrew’s on the Terrace during the four- day event.

“There were 33 musicians from all around the country,” said flautist Rebekah. “They came from as far north as Whangarei and right down to Dunedin.”

The three learned they had been selected to join the ensemble last November, after they sent away audition recordings.

“Yes we were all surprised when we found out (we were in the ensemble),” said Micah.

“We had to compete against university students and other musicians up to the age of 25.”

The three musicians, who all play in the Gisborne Concert Band, will join the wind ensemble again in August for a tour around the upper North Island.