Band camp a blast
Matamata Brass is producing some serious young talent and they are starting to make their mark on a national level.
Members Ella Hawe and Jessica Schweizer, both 17, and Bettina Schweizer, 15, have been selected to play with this year’s New Zealand Secondary Schools Brass Band.
It is a first time experience for cornet player Ella, who said she was looking forward to the challenge.
‘‘I’m super excited, especially having the other two to help me along,’’ she said.
Selection into the band means the Matamata College students will spend a week at camp in Rotorua in October.
Over that week they will play for students at Matamata College and performances at the Matamata Memorial Centre and the Hobbiton Movie Set are to be confirmed.
About 40 high school students from across the country are chosen to attend the camp each year.
Jessica, who plays flugelhorn, has been selected twice before and said it was nice to have other representatives from Matamata in the band.
‘‘It’s going to be cool, we are going to have so much fun,’’ she said.
Younger sister Bettina plays the tenor horn and went for the first time last year.
The trio will train with professional tutors and hear from guest speakers at the camp, as well as compete in fun sporting events.
‘‘There’s lots of things to get involved in, lots of bonding stuff, it’s a good time,’’ said Jessica.