Lyric competition shows Christchurch children proud and strong

Sumner School Year 4 student Jamie Evans has something to be proud of.

The eight-year old won the ‘Proud and Strong’ lyric writing completion, and New Zealand recording artist Annah Mac will perform her winning composition.

The lyric writing competition was open to all Christchurch primary students. It was part of the Weaving Hope Project, a collaboration between the Play It Strange Trust and Christchurch Methodist Mission.

Play It Strange CEO Mike Chunn says Play It Strange is delighted by the partnerships it has formed with the Christchurch Methodist Mission and the Ministry of Social Development. The initiative uses local musicians to bring fun challenges to primary school students to foster positive responses to the stresses of the earthquakes.

“We want to help young Cantabrians forge a positive outlook for the future,” he says.

Annah Mac was one of the judges in the Proud and Strong completion. She will visit Sumner School on Thursday 26th April to perform Jamie's winning song.

“It is truly inspiring to see so many young people coming through this competition and writing such beautiful and honest lyrics,” Annah says. “All entries showed imagination and displayed great creative ability in the art of song writing.”

Methodist Mission executive director Mary Richardson thanks all those who participated. “Jamie’s song includes the chorus ‘I always know you’re around me, even though you’re not in sight; I’m proud and strong of who we are, even when we are not together’.

”It is fantastic to know Christchurch children are still proud and strong after the year we have had,” Mary says.

Other activities included in the Weaving Hope Project are:

• Ukulele Orchestras in primary schools with an end-of-year ukulele festival for all;

• Mobile Recording Studio where young people can experience the process of recording and producing their own songs.

• Music for Pre-schoolers with travelling musicians who will visit early childhood and community centres with musical instruments that kids can play and sing to.

ENDS

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