Media Release
 

Friday 24 April 2009

Rock Camp Rodney Unveils Young Talent

53 young musicians wowed their friends and family with their talent last week at a series of concerts throughout Rodney. 

The concerts were the culmination of an intensive week long training programme as part of ‘Rock Camp Rodney’ which aimed to tap into and develop musical talent in the District.

More than 100 audition tapes were received to be part of the training programme.  A total of 53 applicants, aged between 10 and 17, were selected to travel to the Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand to develop their skills. 

The students formed eight bands during the week, and a singer songwriter group was also established  Four concerts were staged on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th April at Waimauku, Helensville, Orewa and Warkworth. 

Rock Camp Rodney participants were extremely positive about their experiences as part of the week.

Natalie Hess, aged 12 of Kaukapakapa says that she found the week really exciting.  “It’s been hard work but so much fun.”  Natalie says that it was a great opportunity to make new friends. 

Rebecca Donald, also 12 of Orewa, says that the camp was, “the best fun ever.” She says that it really helped her develop her musical skills.

“I loved it”, says Alana Hathaway, aged 12 of Snells Beach.  She said she felt a little bit nervous performing at first, but quickly got over her nerves.  She plans to keep singing as part of a band in the future. 

Rock Camp Rodney was run by Dave Van Dam, Nick Roberts, Kiri Trent and Mike Trent of Helensville based REAL MUSIC NZ Charitable Trust, who have successfully run other training programmes and also ran the very successful "Rodney Live '08.”

Nick says that he has received lots of positive feedback from friends and family of the students about the quality of performances at the Concerts.   “Since the concerts I have had emails and texts from the parents of students saying how fantastic the whole experience has been for the children.”

“Some of the parents have even commented that the camp has been life changing for their children as it has made them much more confident and outgoing,” he adds.

Nick says that personally he has found Rock Camp Rodney to be the most rewarding project he has ever been involved in.

“I’d like to thank Rodney District Council and Times FM for their support in helping make the project a success.”

Rodney Camp Rodney was supported by Rodney District Council.  The project was funded from Auckland Regional Services Trust funding, which has been held in trust by Rodney District Council since the trust was disbanded in 1998.  The funding is available to support significant arts and cultural projects.

REAL MUSIC are currently running Band factories for both primary and secondary age children at Helensville and Waimauku, and are looking at establishing Band factories in Orewa and Warkworth in the future.  

ENDS

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