EDITORIAL
Notes From The
Education Desk
MUSICIANS MENTORING IN SCHOOLS
2019 concluded as another bumper year
for the Musicians Mentoring in Schools
Programme. 41 Mentors visited 72
schools for a total of 629 music mahi with
students, from Kaitaia to Gore, and across
the breadth of both Islands. As expected
demand for the visits remained high as
we entered 2020, with Mike and Angel
from the New Zealand Music Commission
Education Team promising over 700
hours of contact time, putting industry
experienced song writers, producers and
musicians in front of students.
Then things took a change with the
introduction of COVID-19 precautions.
Schools closed for a while and travelling
freely up and down the country became
problematic, so moves were made to shift
the Programme content online.
“E-mentoring on a video-chat platform
like zoom was the obvious next step” said
Mike Young, Programme Manager. “In fact,
there is a personal connection and a degree
of practical, 1-on-1 advice that is hard to
achieve in the conventional setting.”
HOOK, LINE AND SING-A-LONG
Mid-March saw the usual deadline for
this annual competition which has been
running since 2010. As always the judges
relished listening to the fantastic creativity
of our young songwriters. The 47 entrants
in this year’s competition truly proved that
the future of NZ Music is in great hands.
Contestants showed confident use of chord
progressions, harmonies, dynamics and feel
changes. Lyrics ranged from the thoughtful
to the inspiring, through to cheeky and
just downright fun. Congratulations to all
contestants for your work and talent!! The
eventual winner was “We Are One” by
Sophie Brown.
NZMC “Sophie, you’re in Year 12 at Epsom
Girls’ Grammar School. Tell us a bit about
your musical journey growing up.”
I’ve always loved music. I can’t think of a
day where I haven’t listened to at least one
of my favourite songs but I haven’t been
songwriting forever. In fact, I only wrote my
first proper song in December of 2018. I
had absolutely no expectations for myself
and was shocked when I finished writing
a whole song. It wasn’t great, but it was a
start, so I just kept writing.
Eventually, I showed my best friend, who
said my voice was so calming and lovely
(those words have stuck with me until this
day) and I showed my sister and wider
family. Next thing I knew I was playing
on a stage. I remember the feeling very
vividly. I remember strumming my ukulele,
singing into the microphone, looking out
into the crowd and thinking, “I want to do
this forever.” I still get extremely nervous
and shakey when I perform but I have most
definitely gained a lot of confidence from
songwriting. I’ve found my passion and it’s
one of the best feelings in the world.
NZMC “How did you hear about the Hook,
Line and Sing-a-long Competition and what
made you decide to enter?”
My amazing music teacher Mr Thomas
sent me the website link and I checked
it out right away. I think I’d decided to
enter before I’d even finished reading the
competition guidelines. It was just such a
cool concept and I started writing lyrics as
soon as I got home. I didn’t think I would
actually win though! I still can’t believe it.
The fact that kids all around New Zealand
are going to be signing my song just feels
so bizarre to me.
NZMC “Tell us about the inspiration behind
your lyrics and theme.”
“We are one” is a song about coming
together to conquer the challenges facing
our planet. The song was actually an old
idea I had written sometime last year that
I pulled out from the back of my head to
recreate which proves that no idea is ever
wasted. The melody of the chorus had stuck
with me and it felt like the right time to use
it. I wanted the lyrics to convey both hope
and participation. Clapping is something
everyone can do so I figured I would use
Sophie Brown
it as a lyric and main feature in the song.
I needed a really simple hook to get
everyone singing so I took the lyrics “clap
your hands” and used only two notes.
Music brings people together and I’m
really hoping that this song will help kids
understand the importance of support,
participation and hope.
NZMC “What is next on your musical
horizon, this year and in the future? What
are the goals?”
The plan is to keep writing music forever.
As for now, I have a song about to come
out on Spotify that I produced in my
bedroom so I’m hoping to keep releasing
music and sharing it with whoever wants
to listen. A goal for this year is to record an
EP, release it and to continue to perform,
practice and produce. I would love to
collaborate with more people this year
as well. I love sharing musical ideas with
others and seeing where they go. Writing
music with others is magic. I’m looking
forward to the future as opportunities are
limitless when working creatively.
NZ MUSIC COMMISSION MAY BOOK 2020 • 33