Mentors Make NZ Music Month Come Alive for Schools

May 18th 2014
So far, NZ Music Month has been amazing for the Musicians Mentoring in Schools Programme, with five Mentors visiting 14 schools across the country.

Photo by Alaistair Paulen, Fairfax Media 

Jon Toogood of Shihad and the Adults has just finished up a week-long tour of Nelson and Bays schools, Mentoring at Waimea College, Collingwood Area School and Motueka High School, where he had some pertinent advice for rock band Paper Kites - read it here

Award winning artist Annie Crummer Mentored at Gisborne Girls' High School, where she spent two days Mentoring in songwriting and performance skills. Teacher Jane Egan was thrilled with the results:

"The improvement in the standard of the performances for my students was amazing. Annie dissected each song and worked out how to get the best out of them. The students really appreciated having a fresh perspective on their songs and it was also great bonding time for everyone."

Annie worked with six school bands who all performed a short set at a concert on the last day.

"It was just so great to have a likeminded person to work with and spark off. It is often really isolating working in a rural community with no support. I learned how to get the best out of the songs from Annie and was just inspired by her energy and willingness to give everything she had."

Check out a video of Annie's inspirational work with the students here.

Bands preparing for Rockquest at Kaipara College in Helensville were Mentored by Jimmy Christmas of Luger Boa, and were featured on TV3's Firstline this week!

Kim Halliday of Pacific Curls visited Baradene College, where the students have been composing pieces that combine guitar, percussion and orchestral instruments.

Kim also Mentored at Birkenhead College with poet Daren Kamali, where they worked with students on arrangements and lyrics respectively.

Mr Donaldson said he valued the creative inspiration and motivation students gained from the Mentorship:

"Junior students often dabble in songwriting but often don't have the skills to succeed. This day with Kim and Daren has empowered them."

Matt Salapu (Anonymouz) Mentored at Aurora College in Invercargill during the Southland Arts Festival - check it out here.

 

 

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