APO Helps Small Musicians Take Big Steps in Otara

A week of fun and music came to a crescendo yesterday when the primary school-aged children of Sistema Aotearoa gave two public concerts at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate.

Sistema Aotearoa pupil Eve Tuuanga surrounded by fellow students and members of the audience at Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate, 21/7/2011. Image supplied by Adrian Malloch.

Sistema Aotearoa, a programme of musical instrument tuition based in Otara and run by Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra with funding from the Ministry for Culture & Heritage, has been a hit since its April launch.

From its projected intake of 50 students, Sistema Aotearoa now has 90 young people learning a musical instrument free of charge.

This was Sistema Aotearoa's second school holiday programme, and follows lessons at selected primary schools during term two.

The first of yesterday's two concerts featured a pair of special guests: APO Music Director Eckehard Stier and violinist Natalia Lomeiko, a past winner of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition.

Ms Lomeiko, in Auckland to perform with the APO, played two works, after which she told the children that she started learning at five - a similar age to the students of Sistema Aotearoa, who are all between five and eight years.

"To see a great musician like Natalia play in a local school hall is inspirational; the children will remember that for years to come," said Dr Joe Harrop, Programme Director, Sistema Aotearoa.

"I'm proud of the kids; they've come a long way in just a few days - the tutors have done a fantastic job," he added.

"I'm equally pleased to see the size of the crowd that came today. Family members were lining the walls of the hall, and that's great to see because it underlines the fact that the community has taken Sistema Aotearoa to its heart, and people see the value in it - that's a really good sign for the future of this programme and, by extension, the kids."

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Chief Executive Barbara Glaser paid tribute to those involved in Sistema Aotearoa.

"Something like this is a big undertaking and requires the involvement of many people," she said. "The input from the players, tutors and the administrative team has been outstanding, and it was lovely to have two tutors joining us from the Sistema Scotland Big Noise programme. And, of course, Joe Harrop's determination and dynamism have been crucial.

"Most of all, I'd like to acknowledge the children and their families. The APO runs Sistema Aotearoa, but without the participation of the Otara community, there would be no programme at all."

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