Marlborough Express - Weekend Express
Good times take centre stage
A free music programme is set to unlock hidden musical talent by letting children bang on rubbish bins, strum ukuleles and play glockenspiels before putting them all on stage together.
On paper it may sound like a recipe for a cacophony, but the music teachers from the Goodtime Music Academy are confident after three days they will have the young musos on song ahead of a performance at the Picton Maritime Festival.
The programme, which is being funded by Picton businesses and the Pelorus Trust and run by Wellington’s Goodtime Music Academy, is open to Marlborough children aged 5 to 12-years-old. No musical experience is required and all the instruments are provided. There is space for 60 children, and registration is a must.
Drum teacher Caleb Riordan, who is leading the programme, says it might sound like a daunting challenge but making the lessons fun and breaking the songs into easy sections is the key.
‘‘We use songs that are simple, like Black Eyed Pea’s I Got a Feeling is just three chords so we teach them those chords and get them strumming them on ukuleles. If some of the children know how to play we use them as teachers too.’’
The finale will see them perform the Katy Perry hit song Roar all together, Caleb says.
‘‘For the big final song we put the kids into groups of 10 to 15 to play the different instruments. We get a pretty good idea which kids have picked up instruments the best.’’
The programme was run as part of the Picton Maritime Festival in 2016, where 35 children took to the stage.
It was so successful organisers with decided to up the number of children and tutors.
Picton Maritime Festival organiser Beryl Bowers says she is looking forward to their performance, scheduled for 5pm at the festival on January 21.
‘‘I had parents stop me in the street afterwards [last year] and tell me how fabulous it was for their kids to be part of it.’’
The Goodtime Music Academy teaches music to more than 800 children and reaches a further 40,000 each year through music missions and digital programmes.
To find out more about the Picton programme call the academy on 04 570 2730 or email office@goodtimedrumacademy .co.nz