Students perform music in response to art

Media Release – 21 May 2007

Students from Otahuhu perform original music in response to art at Auckland Art Gallery this Friday.

Thanks to a partnership with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, the students have composed their own musical interpretations of works in the gallery’s collection.

APO double bassist Daniel Stabler has mentored three classes from Otahuhu Intermediate (Years 7 and 9) and Otahuhu College (Year 13) over the past two months.

He says their keen intuition, enthusiasm and sense of team work came through. “They’ve been fabulous – I’ve learnt a lot from them."

The students have created 5 minute compositions reflecting five works by New Zealand artists Gretchen Albrecht, Shane Cotton, Emily Karaka, Filipe Tohi and Kennett Watkin.

They will perform for family and friends in the free exhibition Hei konei mai: We’ll meet again this Friday at 12.30pm.

The education initiative is now in its second year. Last year, students from Pt Chevalier Primary School performed in the gallery on a variety of instruments including typewriters, milk bottles, egg beaters and other household implements.

APO education supervisor Lee Farley says the orchestra is keen to enable more schools to enjoy this wonderful learning experience.

The gallery’s access programme co-ordinator Kirsty Glengarry says the project gets children to think about art and its meaning in a completely new way.

ENDS