Sistema Whangārei – Pathways to the Future Fund
Sistema Whangārei – Toi Akorangi was grateful to receive $20,000 from The Tikipunga Children’s Home Trust to start the Pathways to the Future Fund in 2021 to support the budding musicians of Whangārei.
Sistema Whangarei -Toi Akorangi has been teaching orchestral instruments and musicianship free of charge, since April 2013, to children and young people in Whangārei who wouldn’t normally have the opportunity to learn.
Sistema Whangarei – Toi Akorangi began on the 16th April 2013, meeting at the Māori Women’s Welfare league rooms, and had the privilege to work with 16 tamariki. In the beginning, they had no money and no instruments. Bunnings Warehouse gave them some materials and the Men’s Shed made 35 “Whisper Instruments” for them. Whisper instruments are cut out shapes of violins and cellos which make no sound. All of the teaching artists provided their mahi free of charge and the tamariki had fun learning about playing the violin/cello and how music works.
10 years later, with the support of their community, they are still going strong. They now work with over 230 students every week.
“Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu” – With support we can all succeed.
Nga mihi nunui kia koutou Arohatino nui, Eden”
Students learn in ensemble for 7 weeks of every school term and for 4 holiday programs each year. They have the opportunity to perform in at least 8 concerts per year and many senior players have performed alongside the Auckland Youth Orchestra and Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Every Sistema student is able to have an instrument to take home and practice and can access music to practice and videos to support their learning. Students from Sistema Whāngarei – Toi Akorangi receive high levels of music tuition and everything is provided free of charge.
To find out more, please visit their Facebook page or website.
If you’d like to support Sistema Whangarei -Toi Akorangi to continue to provide this opportunity for the tamariki and rangatahi of Whangārei, please contribute to the Sistema Whangārei – Pathways to the Future Fund.