Debut of Whanganui river song so special for St George's School teacher

St George's School choir earned a bronze award at The Kids Sing in Palmerston North when performing their teacher Liz Newton's song about the Whanganui River. Photo / Supplied

A teacher at St George's School felt great pride when she witnessed students singing a song that she wrote at The Kids Sing festival in Palmerston North last week.

Liz Newton wrote her song based on the Māori saying 'ko au te awa, ko te awa ko au' which translates to 'I am the river and the river is me'.

"It was a special moment for me, I wrote the song about five years ago and it has taken this long to find the right time to perform it," Newton said.

"We've been rehearsing it this year and it was really nice to be able to present it with this choir because it's a very special choir with a real family feel."

The inspiration for the song came to Newton while walking her dog along the river in Aramoho, she wondered about the te reo phrase and then learned its meaning.

It took her six months to complete.

"I believe that it represents everything really, the symmetery of the trees and the mist in the morning.

"The river has been there a thousand years and we have to take strength from the fact that this wonderful, natural creation is still there and it's very much a part of who we are."

St George's School took their 50 strong choir to Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School and won a bronze award for their efforts.

The Kids Sing festival was designed to encourage participation, enjoyment and the development of children singing in choirs.

"There aren't many opportunities to do this with younger children in the region, it's nice to go and be inspired by other choirs who enjoy music as much as we do at St George's," Newton said.

"It was the best representation we've ever had because we had so many instrumentalists."

The school took a guitar players, two pianists and two drummers along with them for their performance.

Newton said performing gave students confidence, enjoyment of singing together and a chance to shine individually as well.

She plays the violin, piano and percussion and has taught music in the Middle East, England and Germany.

"As well as my family, music is my life.

"It's my passion and it's wonderful to be doing a job that I love so much."