Thousands of South Auckland tamariki had the chance to experience classical music – many for the first time – over three days of Manukau Symphony Orchestra (MSO) school concerts earlier this month.
MSO General Manager Shelley Robertson says the free concerts are a wonderful way to introduce students to a live music experience and create lifelong memories.
“More than half of them have never been to a live show before, which always surprises us.”
The format of the concerts keeps the children engaged and brings the music to life – an MC announces each piece of music and provides an explanation of what the audience will hear.
A camera projection shows the musicians up close on a big screen, allowing the students to ‘get inside’ the orchestra from wherever they are seated, and see the movements and instruments.
“This engages two of the senses – vision and sound – so it keeps their focus. And the kids really do listen and respond! Some of the younger kids wiggle or wave their arms to conduct the orchestra – and they are allowed to – but there’s virtually no talking, even in the quiet moments,” says Shelley.
Legendary children’s entertainers Suzy Cato and Claudia Robin Gunn join the orchestra on stage to narrate the stories for The Stolen Stars of Matariki and Peter and the Wolf.
The musicians dress in concert black, including dinner jackets and tails, and the interactions between the camera and orchestra members also show a human side to the orchestra.
And while the concert is child-friendly, the MSO team does not water down the musical content.
“We play the first full movement of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik alongside other serious but fun works, such as Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance or Saint-Saëns’ The Swan for harp and cello.”
The orchestra’s Violin Leader Rachel Mullins is also a teacher at King’s School.
“On my return to school after the concert, I was greeted like a rock star by my year three class. We spent a full 20 minutes just talking about the concert and could have gone on. The boys absolutely loved it.”
Rachel says it became very clear how essential attending the concert was to support their understanding of the school’s music programme.
The concerts are clearly inspiring a love of music beyond King’s School too – after experiencing the MSO concerts, more than 80 per cent of the children indicate they would like to learn an instrument.
The orchestra enjoys the shows as much as the audience.
“We are a mix of youth, community and professional mentors – many of whom are taking a few days off work and study to join us for this event. We love the energy and enthusiasm of the tamariki – it’s infectious and so rewarding to have such a positive audience! We always leave these concerts with big smiles on our faces,” says Shelley.
The MSO’s application to Trillian Trust for a grant to cover the concert costs was supported by Wiri Licensing Trust.
General Manager Kim Green says the Trust was pleased to support an initiative that makes the performing arts accessible to local schools.
“Not every child gets the chance to experience a live orchestra performance. Creating opportunities like this for tamariki across South Auckland is hugely valuable and can inspire lifelong interest in music and the arts.”
Receiving funding is essential to keeping the concerts free for the schools because as a community orchestra, the MSO does not receive government help.
“Two-thirds of the orchestra are volunteers, spending hours practicing, rehearsing and performing just because they love to. In our admin, we have one employee and four part-time contractors to run the whole organisation, and it’s all-hands-on-deck during a concert with everyone going above and beyond their job descriptions,” Shelley says.
Support from the incredible team at Due Drop Events Centre, Multi-Media Systems, the orchestra’s Tuakana mentors and MC Jack Bourke is also crucial to delivering an event of this scale.
Wiri Licensing Trust wants to connect with local community groups and organisations that are doing great work in our hood to understand how we can better support you – email us at info@wiritrust.org.nz.
