a cappella gospel, early music, tremolo guitars, lactic solids, the Heavenly Lights, vocal workshops, music publications, recordings and other associated musical projects...
Song Leaders Network Aotearoa is a new organisation intent on supporting the work of voice leaders in schools and singing communities within NZ. To launch this initiative, a symposium is being held in Wellington April 13-15 which will feature panel discussions, workshops, talks and singing. Sounds good to me - actually I have the honour of being the patron - just sorry I can't be there, but you'll be in the capable hands of Julian Raphael, Carol Shortis,Nikki Berry, Phil May and Sarah Hoskyns.
Who is the Network for?
Vocal leaders and musical directors of a cappella, gospel and community choirs;
Teachers who lead singing in Primary & Secondary schools;
Music Therapists and aspiring or training song leaders.
What are the aims of the Symposium?
To enable a meeting and networking of vocal leaders from around the country;
To share skills in vocal leadership and to enable development of peer support;
To explore leadership techniques and ideas about style, repertoire and arranging;
To initiate plans for an online library of music and other resources for network members.
The Symposium takes place at the Toi Poneke Arts Centre, Abel Smith St, Wellington. For more info:info@songleaders.org.nz
• The Living Hamsters convened
in Napier in February for their semi-annual two weeks of
recording and abuse, smattered with caffeine and good food
(thanks Jo and Fane). The first week, Fane and I wrestled
with some unruly subject-matter and laid down some guitars,
Red Army Choir vocals and tweaked stuff. Happily, Peter
turned up for the second week and played some picturesque
and perverse keyboards. The corrosive yet dulcet tone of the
proceedings was somewhat elevated by the presence of guest
vocalists Margot Pierard and Don McGlashan who came in to
sing sing lead on a couple of Fane's songs - beautifully, I
might add. I found it an inspiring and fun two weeks, making
music with chaps I love.
