Chamber music workshops at Matapuna and Tauawhi Men's Centre popular

Chamber Music NZ members and Matapuna Training Centre students Mark Laroche, Cathy Irons, Juel Greening-Kaiwai, Whaingaroa Collier-Rapaea in tune together. Picture by Rebecca Grunwell

The Gisborne International Music Competition (GIMC) and Chamber Music New Zealand (CMNZ) are pleased to announce their exciting music-based programme for Tairāwhiti Gisborne in 2023.

This year’s community engagement programme will include a wonderful array of workshops and opportunities all centred around music — from songwriting, through to multi-artform school residencies, to a masterclass with professional touring musicians.

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

Dame Bronwen Holdsworth, GIMC chair, 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.”

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.

“Chamber Music New Zealand is delighted to be continuing its work with communities in the Tairāwhiti region in 2023. Our artists are looking forward to sharing skills and encouraging creativity throughout a range of workshops and multidisciplinary residencies, as well as implementing a new term violin programme,” CMNZ chief executive Rose Campbell said.

“We are thrilled to have the support of the Gisborne International Music Competition again this year.”

May calendar — CREATE: The 2023 programme began with a multi-artform creative residency at Gisborne Intermediate School last week, where CMNZ tutors provided students with the opportunity to blend musical performance with circus arts. The three-day residency culminated in a performance for the school community and whānau.

CONNECT: Building upon connections created through workshops held in 2022, the CMNZ community engagement team returned to Matapuna Training Centre and Tauawhi Men’s Centre this week for another series of creative workshops.

■ Matapuna students explored bucket drumming, ukulele playing, and continued on their original songwriting journey, helped along by CMNZ’s music tutors. Through this fun yet challenging exploration, they were free to tap into their own musical ideas and were encouraged to share through performance in a safe space.

■ At Tauawhi, the CMNZ engagement team worked alongside three support groups, developing different musical sessions suited to each group. All sessions were centred around the joy of music-making and channelling its incredible potential for building positive connections.

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

The 2023 Tairāwhiti Programme continues throughout the year with a series of music-based workshops and initiatives for different members of the community.