Grab yourself a NZ Music Month Song of the Day Calendar here. How many of the songs do you know?
Ara is celebrating 25 years of Jazz education in Christchurch, with Ara Presents 25th Anniversary Gala Concert as part of The Cavell Leitch New Zealand International Jazz & Blues Festival. This concert brings together a stunning array of graduates, staff and current students in what promises to be a night of celebration not to be missed.
Founded in 1991 and formerly known as the Jazz School, Ara Music Arts has played a major part in the musical life of the city, through its training of many musicians, and performance at its facilities in High Street.
With alumni now scattered around the globe, coming together for this special performance will be well known graduates now firmly established in Australia – Gerard Masters, Brett Hirst, Dan Kennedy, Susan de Jong and Oakley Grenell. Founding tutors Doug Caldwell, Bob Heinz, Ted Meager and Tom Rainey will perform, along with current students.
Other contributors include Gwyn Reynolds, Scott Taitoko, Andy Genge, Johnny Lawrence, Cam Pearce, Darren Pickering, Harry Harrison, Michael Story and singers Kate Taylor, Anna Whittaker, Jennine Bailey and Juliet Reynolds-Midgely.
Special performances by Oval Office, Departure Lounge, LA Mitchell and the Nativa Band, and Mukhilisa featuring Tim Sellars, Glenn Wagstaff, Tamara Smith and Tyson Smith will round out what promises to be a unique and special evening.
The Festival will also host a variety of concerts around the city including The New Music collective ‘Jazz Slam’ hosted at The Gym, The Arts Centre every night from May 25-28th. Current Ara Music arts vocal coach Kate Taylor will perform a tribute show of Stevie Wonder’s works in the Transitional Cathedral on the Saturday night, and the 6pm series held at Ara Music Arts will host current students, tutors and alumni.
Ara student radio Summit 96.1 was launched this month by our second year radio students at the New Zealand School of Broadcasting. David Rooney, Programme Director says ” We wanted NZ Music Month to be an important part of the station so we launched with lot’s of Kiwi classics on May 9th. There is nothing better than hearing a familiar NZ song such as Dominion Road by The Mutton Birds, followed by an international hit from the likes of Aerosmith. Summit is a rock station that plays classics from the 70s and 80s, as well as more recent tunes from the 90s and now”.
“The launch of Summit was an amazing success. We broadcast live from the Riccarton Roundabout in the early hours on May 9th. We have only had positive feedback since”. So why not tune in and see what you think.
Remember we have music available in the Library for students and staff to borrow too, including music by local musicians, you may like: Julia Deans Modern Fables, The Eastern Arrows, or Tiki Tane In the World of Light or Whirimako Black Sings (te reo Māori version) and many more. Find our display in the Library for further listening and reading ideas.
Ara Library Blog 