Tuning in to youth music

Events & EntertainmentArt & Culture
Written By Kim Manunui

Bianca Condon and Sophie Joines

“A good day.” (Mose and Kainaki Hunt from St Patrick’s Catholic School)

“We enjoyed it.” (Bianca Condon from Taupō Intermediate School)

“I found this very helpful.” (Sophie Joines), TIS

Just some of the student reaction from a day of learning and then presenting five pieces of music to a packed Great Lake Centre hall.

The 2025 incarnation of Taupō School of Music’s Big Music Day also included the participation of six members of the Royal New Zealand Navy Band with Leading Musician Pricilla Scanlan conducting one of the pieces.

It’s a connection that TSOM principal Jo Paull hopes will continue in future years as the band reinforces the charter it holds with Taupō.

Before the concert, featuring 106 students from primary to college age, Paull said whether young or old, when playing music, you never stopped learning.

“It's great to see how many people are here and how strong our music community in Taupō really is. It's real magic to play in a group.”

The final concert to families and supporters also included performances by other TSOM groups, the Keynotes Choir, Taupō Youth Orchestra and Taupō Youth Wind Band as well as two pieces by the RNZN Band’s clarinet quartet.

The student musicians were assisted by over 30 adult players from Taupō Brass, Taupō Concert Band, Great Lake Big Band, Great Lake Music Company and the Taupō Strings Orchestra, with TSOM and the day also supported by grants or donations from Taupō District Council, REAP, Bayley’s Real Estate, New Zealand Community Trust, First Light Community Foundation, Creative Communities Scheme, Pub Charity Limited and the Geyser Community Foundation.

TSOM classes held in Taupō Primary School rooms on Tuesday afternoons following the end of the school day.

Mose and, behind, Kainaki Hunt.

Leading Musician Priscilla Scanlan taking a flute sectional

The Big Music Day Orchestra

First violin Charlotte Rosenberg leading the orchestra in tuning up

RNZN band members taking Q and A with the student musicians.

Kim Manunui

Hi, I’m Kim and I work with a great team to help individuals, as well as small and not so small businesses get their message, product and services to the world using digital media and creating wonderful websites that don’t cost the earth.

I was born in Canada, and grew up around Vancouver and the mountains of British Columbia. My love of pristine environments led me to New Zealand and eventually to the mountains, lakes and rivers of the central North Island which is home. My family’s heritage is here, and it’s from here that Korio traverses the planet.

The digital world is never static and neither are we.

And I say ‘we’ because I work with an awesome group of talented people who I gather together as required to complete a project.  Whatever your business, not-for-profit or individual needs are we gather the best team to get the job done.

Collaboratively we are creative, share sustainable values and work hard for great outcomes because that’s the buzz of satisfaction that drives us.

If you have an audience and market to reach, we can make that happen. Creative design, words that work and smart behind the scenes stuff that cuts through the online noise. We’ll design your website and then build it. We’ll manage the content as well as all your hosting needs. We can handle your online advertising so you get noticed,
and we’ll manage your social media presence so you get the clicks, likes and engagement to grow your business. All within the budget you set, because none of this needs to cost the earth.  And the job doesn’t stop when your website goes live. We are your virtual business partner.

https://www.korio.co.nz
Previous

What we’ve learnt since the last big Mt Ruapehu eruption
Next

Equestrian gets underway in Taupō