School comes alive to sound of music

MUSIC 101: Christchurch Symphony Orchestra musicians Mark La Roche and Cathy Irons have been taking part in a music residency at Cobham School this week. Among those to learn from them are leaders class students (front from left) Enisi Tatafu, Winter Rose Pona, Chevolet Robinson, Henry Van Der Heyden and Ashanti Tawera; second row, Grace Latu, Briley Cross, Te Rangi Wattie (obscured) and Treydenze Taukomo; third row, La Roche, Irons and Cruze Robinson; and back, Sariah Houia, Lucas Scott-Haenga, Nathan Tombleson-Newdick and teacher Helen Kourounis. The students learned ukulele chords and strumming patterns. Picture by Liam Clayton

PLASTIC chairs served as percussion instruments for drumming rhythms that combined to create complex patterns in the hands of Cobham School’s senior students yesterday.

The students have been part of a music residency under Christchurch Symphony Orchestra musicians Mark La Roche and Cathy Irons.

The two professionals are in Gisborne in advance of the annual Gisborne International Music Competition.

“The seniors have been working on a rhythmic soundscape based on civil rights leader Martin Luther King’s famous 'I have a dream' speech,” Mr La Roche said.

In another room, leaders class students learned C and G chords and strumming patterns on ukulele on which they accompanied violinist Ms Irons to perform a polka that increased in tempo.

Juniors created spiders from plastic containers and pipe-cleaners as they practiced the song Incy Wincy Spider.

“The kids are going great,” Mr La Roche said. “This is a new experience for them.”

To round off the residency, the young musicians performed in a combined classes concert today.

Some of Cobham School’s students could one day be part of the Gisborne International Music Competition (GIMC), which is composed of 25 New Zealanders and 19 international musicians.

GIMC competitors started to arrive in Gisborne yesterday.

The first round of the GIMC will be held at the War Memorial Theatre on Monday while the finals will be held on Saturday night.

On Thursday, GIMC entrants Toby Pringle, Patrick Macaskill-Webb, Andrew Yorkstone and Dale Hounsome-Vail will showcase the sound of brass in a lunchtime concert at St Andrew’s Church at 12.30pm.