Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for school musos

News release
March 23, 2006

Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for school musicians

If you’re at secondary school in Auckland and fancy yourself as a member of Steriogram or The Exponents or Deceptikonz, now’s time to start rehearsing for your chance to perform with your Kiwi music idols.

Applications to audition are now open for the Band Of Strangers – a major concert during New Zealand Music Month in May.

Year 12 and 13 students can apply at www.playitstrange.co.nz for the opportunity to perform with some of the country’s best known musicians in a concert in Auckland’s town hall.

Band of Strangers is a concept of the Play It Strange Charitable Trust, formed to encourage young New Zealanders to develop interests and skills in music, composing and performance.

The Trust – founded in November 2003 – announced the concert tonight (March 23) at a function in Auckland. Performers at the May event include New Zealand music heavyweights The Exponents, Steriogram, Yulia and Deceptikonz.

Play It Strange Trust chief executive Mike Chunn -– himself a former member of high profile local bands Split Enz and Citizen Band – says the concert represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for young musicians.

“Play It Strange is about young people celebrating life through the music they play and write. NZ music is on a roll and the Band Of Strangers concert is intended to showcase the best musicians currently tucked away in Auckland secondary schools.

“We’re really excited about this concept and the profile it will help develop for the cream of our up and coming youngsters in the music industry – you never know what it could lead to.”

Mr Chunn says anyone who can play a musical instrument or sing is eligible to audition. Musicians can download an audition application form online from the website and entries close on May 5.

There will be 16 songs performed at the May 21 concert featuring up to 60 student musicians playing with any one of the four featured celebrity artists or groups.

Mr Chunn says there are genres of music to suit most musicians. “The four acts enable drummers, violinists, bassists, singers, cellists, rappers, turntablists, guitarists, keyboardists to apply for an audition. We believe this concept will grow in time and other players - such as oboists, tuba players and others – will be able to apply in future years.”

Members of the public are being encouraged to attend the concert and tickets will be available through Ticketek from April 10. Tickets will be $12 downstairs standing and $15 seated (circle and Gods).

ends

About the musicians
Deceptikonz is a leading Hip Hop group based in South Auckland and comprises MCs Savage, Devolo, Alphrisk and Mareko with Brotha D at the helm. Signed to the Dawn Raid label in 2000, Deceptikonz has set the standard for premium NZ hip hop.

The Exponents have legendary status in NZ pop music history. The band features the lead singer and songwriter Jordan Luck. Luck has written more Top 20 songs that any other NZ pop writer.

Steriogram is a five-member melodic rock / hip hop amalgam whose video happened to be spotted on the Internet by an American A&R man – and the rest, as they say, is history. Steriogram signed to Capitol Records in 2002 and immediately had a huge hit in “Walkie Talkie Man”.

Yulia moved to New Zealand from Russia, taught herself English and signed a record deal with Sony Music New Zealand and has released an album – all within the past three years. She has performed with Russell Watson, Ivan Rebroff and the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra and her new album is due for release in April. Yulia won two Tuis at the 2005 New Zealand Music Awards.

About Play It Strange: The Play It Strange Charitable Trust was formed in November 2003 to encourage young New Zealanders to develop interests and skills in music, composing and performance. In promoting this purpose, the Trust also wishes to
1. provide young New Zealanders with positive role models;
2. give life skills to young New Zealanders, such as self-confidence, reliability, responsibility, communication and leadership; and
3. encourage and facilitate opportunities for young New Zealanders to make and experiment in music that reflects New Zealand's unique characteristics.

TRUSTEES:
Michael Glading (chair), Dave Dobbyn, Sean Fitzpatrick, Sam Neill, Tony Caughey, Chris Hocquard, Simon Aimer, Brendan Smyth and Stephen Pearson.

Issued for the Play It Strange Trust by Pead PR

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