release – 20 June 2011

Musicians raise money for Christchurch music students

Some of the countries best known musicians have got together to raise money for music students who lost gear and course work in the Christchurch earthquake. Midge Marsden, Dave McAartney, Jackie Clarke and Jennifer Ward-Lealand were amongst the line-up in the MAINZ 4 MAINZ 12 hour music marathon concert at Auckland’s Kings Arms.

Ninety staff and students escaped unhurt from the Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand’s (MAINZ) two central Christchurch campuses on February the 22nd. Many left behind personal belongings and course work. “Many of the students ran out leaving cell phones and laptops and some also lost their flats and belongings,” says MAINZ Dean Harry Lyon.

“MAINZ students and staff in Auckland feel so far away and wanted to do something to help. Former students, staff and band mates all donated their time to the cause, it was a great 12 hours of music.”

Most MAINZ staff took part in the concert on 12 June either performing or working on the show. Harry Lyon of Hello Sailor fame joined forces with Midge Marsden and other musicians. Tutor Dave McArtney & Friends played as did the Jubilation Choir which includes Jackie Clarke, Jennifer Ward-Lealand and tutor Jean McAallister.

“Most of the staff performed or helped out with the show and It was humbling that our musician friends, who have very busy lives, supported us so readily with their time and talent,” says Harry. The concert raised around $2,000 and an auction on Trade Me of donated professional music and audio gear is set to raise thousands more.

“Companies like Now Sound, Rockshop, Protel, Serato and Atwaters have also been very generous donating goods for the auction.” The Trade Me auction includes a Fender and acoustic guitar, microphones, key- boards, signal adapters and mixers. It closes at 5pm on Tuesday 21 June. MAINZ’s High Street and Armagh Street campuses housed recording studios, rehearsal rooms, an auditorium, MIDI suites, music instruments and a wide range of live sound equipment.

While the High Street campus is largely undamaged its location near the Grand Chancellor Hotel means it is in the “no go zone”. The Armagh Street campus, commonly known as the Media Club Building, has been badly damaged and will be demolished. Staff have been able to rescue a small amount of gear including hard drives from the High Street campus computer server. MAINZ students are now taking practical classes at two suburban recording facilities and theory classes are being taught at a local hockey and bowling club.

MAINZ is a division of Tai Poutini Polytechnic. It has campuses in Christchurch and Auckland.

ENDS

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