Young players make the sound of music

“It showed us what we could do in the future!” 

That was the excited reaction from Wairarapa Youth Orchestra player Kathya Meier (Kuranui College) after a recent workshop held by Martinborough Music Festival.

For 25 young Wairarapa students, the first day of the July school holidays was filled with the sound of music as they took part in a day-long workshop for string players — a first for the Festival as part of its community outreach programme.

Tutors Lucas Baker and Haden Nickel (violin), Lauren Jack (viola), Esther Lee (cello) and William Taber (double bass) started the day with a rousing rendition of the theme from Pirates of the  Caribbean—a favourite with the young players.

Separate sessions with the tutors followed for each of the string groups, preparing a piece to be presented at a brief concert for friends and family later in the day.

“I’m the only viola player in the Wairarapa Youth Orchestra and have been playing for 18 months,” said Kathya. “Today was about really improving my skills and learning how to sing with my viola.”

For Levi Martin, who has learnt the cello for seven years, meeting the tutors who had been through university training was the highlight of a hugely enjoyable day. “I got some good tips!” he said.

Alex Bunny (Tararua College) had come down from Pahiatua for the day. He has been learning the cello for just over a year, taking it up after listening to the Croatian performers 2cellos. He particularly enjoyed the Pirates theme, and the opportunity to learn from professional musicians.

Kathryn Seagrave, cello tutor with the Youth Orchestra and a volunteer with its organising committee, said a big plus for the day was for the participants to be with young professional music players so they can see there is a future in music.

“They were fabulous tutors and so approachable, making the day really exciting. The students were just soaking up what they had to say,” she said. “It’s an inspiration to have a day with others who are like you.

“We are a young organisation—just in our third year—and working with tamariki who have been playing their instruments for a short time. The strings workshop was such a shot in the arm for them and we are so grateful to the Festival for having something like this to come to.”

The Martinborough Music Festival’s outreach programme is an increasingly important part of the Festival. After several years of presenting free concerts for schools in the region, a workshop was seen as an important way of encouraging young players to continue their studies.

This year’s schools’ concerts take place during August, with the string quintet playing to 12 schools on 8 August, and a woodwind quintet playing to three schools on 22 August.

Plans are already under way for another workshop next year. 

Caption: Playing for friends and family in the concert at the end of the workshop, led by Lucas Baker.

Martinborough Golf Club

A taste of what the new clubhouse will offer was provided recently to members and the Martinborough community. 

The weather also came to the party to give everyone fabulous views from the new bar /lounge area as well as the undercover outdoor space. Over 100 people took advantage of the walkthrough and around $2,000 was raised through donations and raffles.

“The opportunity to actually get into the building and get a sense of what it will be like on a

gloriously sunny day was fabulous and has created great excitement not only for club members but the community as a whole” said Emily Loughnan from the club committee.

The facilities will far exceed anything the club has had in the past with the aim to not only make it a place for the members and the community to use, as well as a destination for visitors to Martinborough. 

A café will provide food and drinks every day which will take advantage of the beautiful vistas. A great place to watch the golf and wait for family and friends to return from their round.

It is hoped the clubhouse will also be used by local community groups for meetings and regular activities as well as being available for functions outside golf hours. Discussions are also continuing with the Council for use of the facility as a civil defence hub.  … Continue Reading

Is Martinborough Community Board worth retaining?

As part of its Representation Review, South Wairarapa’s District councillors have proposed scrapping the three community boards that make up part of the governance structure servicing this community.

This “disestablishment” proposal is out for community “consultation” and “feedback” until September 8.

Some councillors believe chopping the three boards will reduce costs and even strengthen local democracy, though at least one admitted the Martinborough Community Board helps do some of the work he can’t get done.

So as readers consider whether to address SWDC’s consultation request, The Star has set down 

some of the achievements of the current MCB over its first two years. … Continue Reading

Hau Ariki Marae wins power resilience funding bid

Hau Ariki Marae has won government funding to install solar panels and a storage battery system _ ensuring it can act as an Emergency Assistance Centre for Martinborough during crisis events.   

Full funding for the equipment and its installation comes from the Community Renewable Energy Fund, operated by the Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE).

“Gaining this funding for solar panels and batteries will strengthen Hau Ariki Marae’s ability

to be an Emergency Assistance Centre (EAC) for the council to call on during crisis events,” said marae committee chairman Kevin Haunui.

The equipment means “we will be more energy resilient to support our local whānau and wider community in such times,” he added.

Council chief executive Janice Smith noted the “funding is a great outcome for our district and we are really grateful for Hau Ariki’s willingness to take in the public during emergencies as well as being an incredibly important place for the community all of the time.”  … Continue Reading