Young musicians to gain experience at festival
Porirua will host a noteworthy event this Queen’s Birthday weekend as music students come together for an annual festival.
The Kapi-Mana Music Festival runs for three days and showcases young musicians from the Wellington region.
Festival organiser Carolyn Rait, a trustee of the Kapi-Mana Music Festival Charitable Trust , has been involved in music her entire life and said the event was the perfect chance for musicians to perform for an audience.
One hundred and thirty-six school students will perform more than 220 pieces of music at the Pa¯ taka Museum over the weekend. On Monday, the festival will wrap up with a showcase.
The public can attend these performances for free. ‘‘It gives them a wonderful opportunity to see some really up-and-coming musicians,’’ Rait said.
The festival is open to students of all ages and all skill levels. There are three classes they can take part in – festival, competition or recital.
Festival classes are a chance for those starting out to gain some experience in front of a crowd, while competition classes award placings for students by age group or their grade.
Recital classes are a new addition. Musicians will perform a test piece, as well as two or three other pieces of their own choice in either a five-minute, 10-minute or 20-minute recital.
‘‘As a retired music teacher, I just love hearing the students play and encouraging them to do well,’’ Rait said.
‘‘We try to make the event very friendly and [the students] have the opportunity to meet and hear other students.’’
Musician and former chief executive of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Peter Walls is one of the adjudicators.
Festival organiser Elizabeth Sneyd said she was delighted that he could come and judge.
‘‘Peter brings a wealth of experience to this role and students will benefit from his comments on their performance.’’