Young musicians take the stage
The sounds of music will be taking over Porirua 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 around the Wellington region.
Festival organiser and trustee of the Kapi-Mana Music Festival Charitable Trust Carolyn Rait has been involved in music her entire life and said the event was the perfect chance for musicians to perform for an audience.
‘‘It’s a real performance opportunity.’’
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 drop in for free to hear their performances.
‘‘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 competing in age groups or in grades.
Recital classes are a new addition to the festival.
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 has been named as one of the adjudicators.
Festival organiser Elizabeth Sneyd said she was delighted he could come and judge. ‘‘Peter brings a wealth of experience to this role and students will benefit from his comments on their performance.’’
The Kapi-Mana Music Festival will be held June 2 to 4 from 9am each day at the Performing Arts Studio, Pa¯taka Art Museum.