ignition magazine - issue 3
DESCRIPTION
The Ignition magazine showcases the fantastic and talented students, graduates and staff from the Creative Industries Faculty at CPIT. Ignition is the brand that represents their achievements and successes.TRANSCRIPT
ignition 2
zz
EDITORMartin Trusttum - [email protected]
GRAPHIC DESIGNERSMichael Durey - [email protected] Shand - [email protected]
Copy EditorMichelle Trusttum
COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Tim Johnston
Model Emma Painter
Design Sam Shand
ISSUE 3 OCTOBER 09
11
PikE mai, kakE mai and wElCOmE TO igniTiOn, the magazine that puts a spotlight on all things creative at CPiT. in this edition, we focus on the full-on excitement of our upcoming Creative Festival nov 6-14 at the Christchurch Convention Centre and celebrate the success of students and graduates across the Faculty of Creative industries
as we reach the end of our first year.
artists need one another to develop creative outcomes that reach beyond their own capabilities and visions. Similarly, as a core part of Christchurch’s inner city, one of our key roles in the Faculty of Creative industries is to help energise our neighbourhood and make our city a cooler place. in attracting, nurturing, and sustaining the talents of gifted people, we can create better communities and transform our neighbourhoods and city more broadly. it’s a lofty claim, but we’ll make it anyway: we’re busy making a difference to the quality of life in this great town. Check out our fashionable neighbourhood of High Street/madras St to see the proof of this.
making transformations, changing lives and keeping it real is no mean feat. and it doesn’t happen by taking a business as usual approach. kudos then, to the committed staff at Creative industries for providing the conditions for our students and graduates to become change-makers, not victims of change.
See you at the Festival.
noho ora mai ra
Jane GreggDean, Faculty of Creative Industries.
ON THE CD
SaCHa VEE / PaTiEnCEaNNEka THwaiTES / SaFETy in numBERSSumO Jazz / 7:15 TimE TO gET uPNiCk BurSON & THE wax PEOPlE / THE OTHER HalF liVESOVal OffiCE / ESPkriS muir / miSuSEdCaTHEriNE wEllS / RaHaB and THE SPiESTHE HuSTlE / PuT OuT THE FlamElaurEN miTCHEll / CiRClESJOSH NEal / unSTaTEdfigHTiNg THE BluE / OdE TO THE aPPlE
all tracks on the complimentary Cd were written and performed by current students, graduates and staff from the Jazz School. all tracks used by permission from the individual artists.
For further information on the artists and tracks, head over to www.ignition.ac.nz. Enjoy!
Compilation C CPiT 2009
CONTENTS www.ignition.ac.nz
fiNN NiTzSCHmaNNOver the top - new designs for old buildings.
fESTiVal PlaNNErEvent listings for the Creative Festival.
ENTEriNg THEClaSSrOOmCareers in teaching design.
fiND yOur SOuNDThe rise of alpha Radio.
JaCk TamEBroadcasting star in-the-making.
rEal ViSiONStudents apply creative solutions to on-the-job training.
BurkE gOffESewing the seeds for a blossoming career in Jazz.
SHOwCaSE04
06
08
12
16
17
18
20
22
26
28
30
32
34
3rd year design students display their work.
TruE fEralSFashion spread - Rose Trist.
illumiNaTiSuccess stories of CPiT students and graduates.
HaNNaH auBrEy Christchurch to new york City.
THE NEw faCE Of CirCuSCircoarts - making their mark.
aNDrEw SHaSkEyin memoriam - profile of a photography student.
aNNa wHiTakErliving the dream - from graduate to performing arts tutor.
SNaPSHOTS02Student and graduate profiles.
CONTENTS www.ignition.ac.nz
1827
05
21
29
07
36 SilVEr SCrOllS naSda and Jazz perform at the aPRa awards.
DYLAN TAYLOR
snapshotscheck out more of these stories at
>> www.ignition.ac.nz
>>
dylan Taylor, Bachelor of design (Visual Communications), is currently working at CoCa gallery as a graphic designer, specialising in print design and photography.
it’s a happy ending for a guy who admits he limited his career options when he stopped taking maths and science in the sixth form. But then, he kicked ass at art, so what does it matter? Turns out - not much really.
andy Brown, Bachelor of design (Visual Communications), has mashed his passion for photography and graphics with his lifestyle, designing decals for surfboards and specialising in skateboard photography.
“i have skated since i was about 10 years old. it’s always been a passion, but i never really got that good; still i couldn’t stop doing it.
“in my final year of study a fellow student and friend asked me to take some pictures of him skating so he could use them in his graphics work. it really led from there. it’s about being part of the culture, hanging out with friends and finding new and interesting spots to skate.”
ANDY BROWN
ignition 2
ignition 3
SNaPSHOTS www.ignition.ac.nz
Tahnee le Pine, Bachelor of design (Visual Communications), is the sole designer for Brisbane’s Culture magazine, a 300 page bi-monthly hair and fashion title.
“i lay out all the pages, process and select all the images, build several ads for both Culture and outsourced clients. i also do all the production and print liaison, and each year i complete a full redesign of the magazine for a special edition coffee table book, which outlines the following year’s new template.“
nan Sirisamphan, third year Bachelor of Broadcasting Communications, recently directed a music video for the dictaphone Blues’ song, Lantern, which has played on C4 music channel.
“i teamed up with another student, dan Fowler, for our end of year project where we got $1,000 each to produce something of industry quality - heaps of blood sweat and tears, heaps of fun.”
nan says the opportunities and resources at the Broadcasting School
are huge, and the tutors are fantastic with real-world experience.
“Richard Bell, for example, has been a major video producer for artists like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Pink Floyd.
“Our tutors train you as if you are in real industry situations, always maintaining professionalism so that you really get a feel for what it is going to be like in the real world.”
Tahnee says the most valuable skill she learned at CPiT was how to commit to a task.
“Every designer is already fundamentally creative. what will set you apart are your professional skills, which you can only gain by actively pursuing this knowledge … and paying supreme attention to detail.”
Tyler Pinn, third year Bachelor of design (Visual Communications), was always into ‘piecing’ - the mural side of graffiti art.
He did a Project legit course in 2004 and learnt how to use a can properly. Project legit is a council funded project that helps taggers express their artistic abilities legally and help promote graffiti as a legitimate art form.
as he painted more murals and got better and better, Project legit would invite him to repaint on legal or paid walls which was a bonus – getting paid for doing something you love.
TAHNEE LE PINE
TYLER PINN
NAN SIRISAmPHAN
ignition 4
showcaseTHIRD YEAR STUDENTS - BACHELOR Of DESIgN (vISUAL COmmUNICATIONS)
michAeL DureY
WiLLiAm DuiGNAN
ignition 5
SHOwCaSE www.ignition.ac.nz
sAm shAND
sAm shAND
ignition 6
illuminatiSPOTLIgHT ON CPIT CREATIvE SUCCESS
cd reviewby Stacey wouterS
ryaN HOllaND, Bachelor of design (Visual Communications), won an international competition to design a Cd package for ‘One Voice’ - a collaborative project by unsigned rock bands around the uk that aims to raise funds so that the national Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Children (nSPCC) can answer more of the calls they receive from children asking for help.
The ‘One Voice’ Cd release is aimed for Feb/mar 2010 and will be available throughout the uk and online internationally.
“This is possibly the design project i am most proud of to date.”
Von klap (formerly known as The klap), is on the verge of releasing its debut album Dog. Sounding like a drunken Russian sailor meeting a tortured soul with endless creative potential and deciding to
make an album together, Von klap is really only just getting started!
The 2008 Roundup winner recorded the 12 track album in the well known Christchurch studio ‘The Sitting Room’ which has really paid off - the sound quality throughout the whole album is excellent.
as for the feel of the album, well unlike a lot of other albums from this genre there’s not a single one of those 12 tracks that won’t get that foot of yours tapping!
SimON COrBETT, currently studying the diploma in Professional Photography, won the largest Canon photo award in new Zealand, the Creative For a Cause competition. $25,000 is gifted to the charity of Simon’s choice plus he will receive a range of camera equipment.
The latest single water & wine has really set the bar for any future releases. not only is it cool, calm, collected and catchy as hell, but it also has a feeling of emotion and charm, and a sublime video clip to boot.
if you haven’t managed to catch Von klap performing live at Christchurch’s goodbye Blue monday yet, you should probably put it on your to-do list, unless of course you don’t mind getting left behind like a 12 year old kid in 1997 without a Proyo. if that concept doesn’t convince you, maybe just start with baby steps and have a listen to the album Dog first.
already a favourite on Rdu and frequently appearing on its Top 10 - not to mention soon to be featuring on the nZ Broadcasting School’s
(nZBS’s) station alpha 96.1 - there’s not a doubt in my mind that we’ll be hearing a lot more from Von klap.
all in all Von klap’s Dog exudes a sense of charm, wit and intelligence that is rarely found in a debut album. To miss the chance of experiencing this is akin to slapping John key in the face - it just shouldn’t be done!
Dog will be available in all good music stores from late October.
Tracks that will downright knock your socks off: ‘Elkey whole’, ‘water & wine’, ‘Jailhouse’ and ‘Hag’.
ignition 7
illumiNaTi www.ignition.ac.nz
JOaNNa wOlff of Sutherland Todd Hairdressing in merivale has won more awards in her short career than some hairdressers manage in an entire lifetime. So how does one individual achieve such success in an industry known to be very cut throat?
Joanna attributes it to an extremely strong vision and, once a goal is in sight, an unwavering commitment to doing whatever it takes to achieve it.
awarded Top Senior Stylist at the Canterbury/westland Regional Hair design awards 2009, Joanna’s vision and work ethic keeps her on track even during the most stressful competitions.
She has also been a finalist this year in the wella Trend Vision awards, the Trend Vision apprentice of the year
award, and the national Photographic awards.
most recently Joanna was nominated by her CPiT hairdressing tutor, Chris mcFetrish, for the Hairdressing industry Training Organisation’s (HiTO) apprentice of the year award 2009. The award recognizes all round achievement and will go to one of seven regional finalists at an annual awards ceremony to be held 31 October in wellington.
But despite her many accolades, Joanna’s passion is clearly helping people look and feel their very best.
“Clients don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care,” Joanna says.
it’s Joanna’s unassuming and empathetic nature that makes her
a favourite with clients and colleagues alike. She’s focused and professional but always puts people first.
like many young hairdressers, Joanna always had a desire to create. She moved from her hometown Palmerston north to Christchurch and began her new career in 2004.
She enrolled at the CPiT School of Professional Hairdressing two years ago to complete her training and ultimately qualify with a national Certificate in Hairdressing.
Hairdressing is a much tougher industry than many expect and, historically, this had led many students to quit before they qualify. Starting off with a hiss and a roar is one thing but maintaining consistency throughout their apprenticeship is quite another, something only a few stylists manage to achieve.
The School of Professional Hairdressing has made success in the industry more achievable by providing the sort of support that has encouraged more and more students to see their studies through and complete their apprenticeships.
Joanna says the School provides a fantastic education together with a dedicated team of hairdressing tutors really capable of getting the most out of the students.
“i’ve really enjoyed working together in a supportive class environment.”
But this is only half of the formula that creates qualified winning stylists. The other is the input of the salon to which the student is apprenticed.
Joanna credits her time at Sutherland Todd Hairdressing for her awards, where success and personal development are professional expectations.
and with Joanna’s drive and determination and her continued client focus, she’s well on the way to not only becoming qualified but also one to watch – a leading new Zealand stylist.
STYLE WATCH
treNDVisioN eNtrY JoANNA WoLff
joanna wolff
NEwS www.ignition.ac.nz
ignition 8
CIRCO ARTS STUDENTS TAKE TO THE SKIES
Capable of captivating a
wide variety of audiences with
thrilling, explosive performances
IMaGe tim Harris
ignition 9
CirCOarTS www.ignition.ac.nz
That’s as it should be says CPiT Creative industries Faculty Relationship manager, martin Trusttum, who believes Circoarts adds a unique dimension to both the CPiT campus and to wider Canterbury and beyond.
“Circus has shifted from being a fringe activity to being much more mainstream thanks to performers like Cirque du Soliel, and Circoarts is producing students with a wide range and depth of skills. They’re capable of captivating a wide variety of audiences with thrilling, explosive performances. Their shows are whimsical and elemental yet the skills required are very complicated. That’s the real value of what we have here,” says Trusttum.
Circoarts Programme leader, godfrey Sim agrees. “we’re not big, we’re not highly funded but we are highly creative,” he says. “Circoarts is edgy. it’s exploring new ground both in content and in the fusion of new media. The level of creativity of our graduates makes them very adaptable in the workplace.”
Sim says there is still a gap in public understanding in new Zealand of what
circus performance is and can be. “There is no real concept or experience of what contemporary circus is in the new Zealand psyche – not yet anyway, but we hope to change that. Our challenge now is to educate the public, to promote our talented graduates and to entertain.”
He says the corporate market is one area where many students and graduates are now finding work opportunities.
“The corporate market has exploded because everyone wants to create a spectacular event. many have started to include circus performers – magic displays, aerialists, stilt-walkers, acrobats – and we encourage our students to get work in the community. live public performances are built into the year one curriculum. we start them early, breaking them in gently with busking performances at the arts Centre for instance. Our students also work in shopping malls and at schools. work in the community isn’t huge but it is important.”
Sim adds that Circoarts is not about ‘pumping out Cirque du Soliel material.’
Rather the key is producing adaptable, creative, independent flexible graduates who can go out into the marketplace and find real work.
“Our strengths lie in our graduates’ capacity to play at the edges of different media. it’s an athletic journey and a creative journey and organizations like Tactix, the CSO, the Christchurch arts Festival and lyttelton’s loons Circus Theatre Company have all recognized that. They’ve all been excited to work with our students and graduates.”
Former Christchurch arts Festival director, guy Boyce makes no secret of his enthusiasm for working with Circoarts.
“when i came to Christchurch in 2000 they were one of my first ports of call and i came away wide-eyed and hugely excited. i was always looking for something unique to Christchurch that i could include in the festival so in 2001 we worked with godfrey Sim and Peter Burley from Circoarts to develop the show “The golden Holden.” Two of the four cast were from Circoarts and the show was later picked up by the
the new face of circusCPIT’S CIRCOARTS IS BETTER KNOWN Off-SHORE THAN IT IS IN NEW ZEALAND BUT ITS PROjECT-fOCUSED LEARNINg PROgRAmmE AND COLLABORATIONS WITH LEADINg CANTERBURY ORgANISATIONS IS INTRODUCINg ITS TALENTED STUDENTS TO WIDER mAINSTREAm AUDIENCES.
stOrY BY ADrieNNe reWi
ignition 10
the International Festival. I maintained a relationship with CircoArts for every festival since and this year, Mike Friend’s Loons’ show,
“Happy Home Road,” which featured seven CircoArts graduates in a cast of eight, was a huge success.
It realized all the potential I first saw in 2000 and I wanted a slice of it,” says Boyce.
He says many CircoArts graduates were working performers before they began at CPIT “so they bring a maturity you don’t necessarily find elsewhere,” which he finds very exciting.
“They’re hungry too and that’s inspiring. CircoArts is a very important school for Christchurch. It’s unique in New Zealand and without it there is no way we could have produced a festival show like
‘Happy Home Road.’ It’s proving to be a great resource for a number of events and businesses in Christchurch and people are beginning to develop a real appetite for their talents.
“From a festival point of view, it’s very encouraging to know we can get our own performers to create world class works right here. In turn, those public engagements give graduates an opportunity to see what’s required of them in a professional environment. CircoArts is one of the gems of CPIT for so many reasons. There’s something very exciting going on there. They’ve worked out a style of performance that is popular and unique. No one else in New Zealand is doing anything like it. I like that and there is a huge potential for them to take that further,” says Boyce.
Mike Friend, joint owner of Loons Circus Theatre Company couldn’t agree more. In fact, he is taking the company’s highly successful show,
‘The Butler,’ to London in May 2010 for a four week season at The Pleasance.
“I was approached by Godfrey Sim soon after I arrived in New Zealand from England in 2004, to create a show for his year two graduates. We
workshopped ‘The Butler’ (written by Joe Bennett) for four weeks and we’ve since had 24 sell-out performances,” he says.
Friend, who has worked in theatre all his life, says the CircoArts graduates are a joy to work with.
“They don’t say no. Ordinary actors are much more limited and they question everything. These people don’t. They live on the edge. They’re prepared to try anything; they work to get the job done. Their training has been all about striving for perfection. They’ve had to work at
‘juggling all those balls’ over and over again and they’ve brought that sort of commitment and dedication to ‘The Butler’ – and it shows,” he says.
Friend also brought together a cast of twelve (seven from CircoArts) for the festival production ‘Happy Home Road.’
“I didn’t want to produce another cabaret and prior to this, no one had been able to weave a narrative-based
ignition 11
CirCOarTS www.ignition.ac.nz
Bringing you the latest trends straight from the runway
Summer issue out November 16 Don’t go shopping without it!
CPIT Pitch Fashion Show.indd 2 9/10/2009 9:30:50 a.m.
a cIrcoartS StuDeNt HaNGS FroM tHe rooF
IMaGe
aNDY BrOWN
story into a circus performance. That’s what I found most exciting.”
He says CircoArts graduates he has worked with have unique talents.
“They have a presence. They touch people’s hearts. They’re street performers and they know how to work any sort of crowd. Shows like
‘The Butler’ and ‘Happy Home Road’ broke new ground in terms of circus skills integrating with theatre. They’re not a gratuitous display of circus skills; every aerial act is strongly integrated into the story and that’s a performance area with a lot of potential. Can you imagine doing West Side Story with aerialists swinging above for instance? That’s an exciting lateral adventure and we have the pool of talent right here in Christchurch.” For CPIT’s Martin Trusttum, building that kind of recognition for CircoArts is imperative. He believes the ability of CircoArts performers to captivate
audiences at a visceral, heart-stopping level has a huge range of possibilities.
“Apart from their theatre and festival successes, CircoArts performers have also become an important part of the Canterbury Symphony Orchestra’s Circus Proms event. That collaboration started three or four years ago and the combination of the orchestra, trapeze, aerialists and physical theatre has been a huge success. This year they performed “Alice in Wonderland,” which had a strong appeal to children. That sort of performance helps widen the CSO’s audience at the same time giving CircoArts graduates and students valuable wider experience. It’s another fine example of circus moving beyond the fringes,” he concludes.
ignition 12
ignition 13
faSHiON www.ignition.ac.nz
NEwS www.ignition.ac.nz
ignition 14
ignition 15
NEwS www.ignition.ac.nzfaSHiON www.ignition.ac.nz
Hair by:
NEwS www.ignition.ac.nz
ignition 16
what are you up to at the moment?
Right now i’m working towards an honours degree in Jazz Performance. How would you define your style?
i’m focussed on performing live music, mostly different styles of Jazz with various groups of other students/ex students from the Jazz School.
Describe the group or market on which you would most like to make an impact.
i think its hard to please everybody’s musical tastes but if i can keep doing what i’m doing while having fun and reaching out to people with my music, then i’ll be satisfied. what do you enjoy the most about your work?
Playing different styles of music with different people is probably the best thing, because each style and person is unique so it keeps the music fresh and exciting.
who or what are the strongest influences on your creative process?
whatever genre i am listening to or playing at the time and usually anybody who’s playing or writing i admire in that style.
Have you noticed any regional or national differences in trends in your discipline?
not really except for the fact that there are always more musicians coming up in the industry than there are going to be gigs for so having a good attitude helps a lot.
what have been the biggest challenges you’ve had to face so far in the pursuit of your work?
Probably during different times of the year when there doesn’t seem to be as much work as other periods.
what have been the biggest highlights for you so far?
Completing the 3 year degree in 2008 and receiving the alan Robinson and Jack urwin scholarships in the process.
what did you enjoy the most about your course at CPiT and /or CPiT in general?
i found the most enjoyable part was being in a friendly environment jamming with like-minded people and the supportive teachers who were always happy to help out.
what key skills do you feel CPiT provided you with that will help you make an impact in your industry?
learning my instrument better but also the organisational skills that i needed to balance everything has helped me keep on top of everything this year.
what advice would you give prospective students wanting to study at CPiT?
The more effort they put in to their studies while there, the more they will get out of it in the future.
where do you see yourself in five years time?
Hopefully still playing, having fun trying new ideas and being more creative with others of the same mind frame.
If I can keep doing what I’m
doing while having fun and reaching out to people with my music then I’ll
be satisfied
BURKE gOffETHE jAZZ SCHOOL IS A HOTHOUSE fOR LOCAL TALENT. HISTORICALLY, THE SCHOOL HAS fOCUSSED ON jAZZ PERfORmANCE BUT THIS IS ABOUT TO CHANgE WITH A COURSE REDESIgN INTRODUCINg CONTEmPORARY gENRES.
ignition 17
Jack Tame’s contribution to news and current affairs is well known to many viewers throughout the country as he continues to inform and often entertain. From his early days as a Breakfast reporter for TV One’s Christchurch office to his current role with One News based in auckland, he’s making a name for himself.
Jack’s always had an interest in news. as a young boy he’d read the paper and watch the news daily.
Throughout his time at Cashmere High, he started film-making and making radio shows with mates. His friends from high school say he was always the entertainer; the one you could rely on to make you laugh. according to one, he was a hard worker and clearly, was going to do well.
Even in the early days, Jack made sure he stood out, getting work at TVnZ in Christchurch before he finished school.
He saw the nZ Broadcasting School (nZBS) as a great way to get amongst it.
“it looked like an intensive practical course that gave graduates a foot in the door.”
He completed his Bachelor of Broadcast Communications at CPiT’s new Zealand Broadcasting School in 2005. He says it had a great impact in preparing him for a career in the media.
“i had a fantastic time at the nZ Broadcasting School… it was a hell of a lot of fun. The practical work was really valuable.
“i’m not a big fan of learning via textbooks, and getting hands-on experience made a big difference for me. Best of all i made some really close friends. Corny i know… but it’s totally true.”
Jack’s now something of a role model for many aspiring journalists.
while studying at the nZBS Jack worked as intern at TVnZ in Christchurch and explored many wacky and wonderful parts of Christchurch.
On one story he took a drive out to mclean’s island to visit a collection of army tanks. His own car was a ‘hunk of junk’, so, as part of the story, Jack got out of his car and, as he walked away, a tank ran over it.
now that he lives in auckland Jack says he is always on the go.
“Just by the nature of its size, there’s always something happening in auckland. Our auckland office is also where we receive our international feeds, so being here makes me feel like we’re in the thick of things.”
But as we all know, once a Cantab always a Cantab, and Jack’s no different.
“i love the South island. Born and bred in Christchurch, i’ve still got heaps of family and friends down there, so i try to get down whenever i can.”
Jack says being young in television has its challenges, but there are also benefits with having a young creative mind.
“Sometimes it can be hard. i certainly can’t draw on all the life experiences or the wisdom that the senior journalists can. There are a few benefits though – i’m always enthusiastic and i try to be creative.
“i’ve been really lucky to have had some great opportunities. now i really enjoy going to work each day.”
jACK TAmEfROm CHRISTCHURCH TO AUCKLAND AND NOW NEW ZEALAND, jACK TAmE HAS TAKEN THE NEWS BY STORm.
it looked like an intensive practical course that gave graduates a foot in the door
stOrY BY Scott MIllIGaN
iN fOCuS www.ignition.ac.nz
ignition 18
fiNalE is a cabaret style production that
brings together aerialists, acrobats, balance
artists, dancers, jugglers, singers and
musicians, in what will be a superb night of
virtuoso performance.
The Friday night performance is a seating
only option intended to give more people
the opportunity to experience the drama and
superb skills of the students and staff from the
Schools of Jazz, Circo arts, Te Puna wanaka
and the national academy of Singing and
dramatic arts (naSda).
finale
(general Admission)
fri 13 Nov
7pm
Performance
cabaret
CirCuS uNDEr THE STarS suits all ages,
all sizes, and all moods. guaranteed to entertain
you, it has a huge range of characters, circus and
comedy acts, and other surprise happenings out
under the stars in the d Block Quad.
Bring a blanket and a picnic meal. an umbrella
might come in handy too.
circus under
the stars6 - 8 Nov
7pm
circoarts and
Physical theatre
CPiT’s Jazz School presents BEaT, a cabaret
evening featuring vocal and instrumental
performances. with many Jazz School graduates
highly sought after within new Zealand’s music
community, BEaT is your chance to spot future
stars, as well as enjoying performances by the
Jazz School’s reputable music faculty.
Our musicians’ improvisational skills are sure to
shine in what promises to be a wonderful night
of entertainment.
beatmon 9 Nov
8pm
Jazz and rock
PITCH presents work by students from the CPiT
School of Fashion. developed in association
with new Zealand’s fashion industry, PITCH
has become a recognized and innovative fixture
on new Zealand fashions calendar, supported
and endorsed by many of our most established
designers and influential fashion industry
representatives. if you haven’t yet seen a PITCH
parade then i guarantee that you will be in for a
thrill. Francis Hooper, who has appeared as a
guest judge twice, says the show is “just cool”.
pitchWed 11 Nov
8pm
fashion
finale
(Catered)
Sat 14 Nov
8pm
Performance cabaret
creative
festival6–14 nov
circus under the stars
D Block QuadCPIT madras St Campus
aDULt $16, stUDENt $12, CHiLD $8, FamiLY $40
beatconvention centre
95 Kilmore Street
ADuLt $20 stuDeNt $16
pitchconvention centre
95 Kilmore Street
aDULt $28 stuDeNt $18
finale convention centre
95 Kilmore Street
aDULt $18 / stUDENt $12
finale convention centre
95 Kilmore Street
siNGLEs $60 taBLEs (FOr 10) $600
(Sat) (Fri)
tickets from Ticketek (booking fees apply)
ignition 19
riPE presents work by final-year students
from the Bachelor of design and the diplomas
of Photographic imaging and Professional
Photography. Students exhibit their best
work in 3d design, image-making, graphics,
Photography and 3d modelling and animation.ripe9 - 14 Nov
10am - 5pm
Art & Design
exhibition
ExiT features a broad range of conceptual,
creative and technological work by students
from the School of architectural Studies. The
exhibition includes drawings, computer-aided
design (Cad), 3d models and prototypes.
Showcasing a variety of design projects,
ExiT includes residential, commercial,
interior, restoration, furniture and urban
design projects by students of the Bachelor
of architectural Studies.
exit9 - 14 Nov
10am - 5pm
Architectural
studies
exhibition
fliCk exhibition is a showcase that features a
cross-section of work from students enrolled
at the nZBS. This includes digital Film and
Television Production, with work including
drama, sitcoms and short films; digital Video
Post Production, where students learn the skills
of video editing, motion graphics and visual
effects and Broadcast Journalism involving
news and documentary making.
9 - 14 Nov
10am - 5pm
short films &
documentaries
flick
The Saturday night performance of fiNalE
is a catered option with table seating. This
performance of fiNalE provides the perfect
social occasion for you to cultivate the great
relationships with your staff and clients. you
will not only impress them, you will also
be supporting the talent that will soon be
performing in our theatres and on our screens.
finale
(Catered)
Sat 14 Nov
8pm
Performance cabaret
18 - 22 Nov
10am-4pm
interior Design
exhibition
ViSualiSE presents the best ideas by students
from the Certificate of interior decor and
diploma in interior design (Residential), for new
and existing residential buildings, kitchen and
bathroom design, hard and soft furnishings,
decorative treatments and colour.visualise
5 - 20 Nov
10am-4pm
Art exhibition
Off THE railS is an exhibition of 3d
objects made from discarded materials found
near Christchurch railway tracks. Students in
the Certificate of design treated this area as
a treasure yard of raw materials using it as
starting points for inspiration. The exhibition
is a transformation of waste into works of art.
off the rails
Reward your staff and clients
with a performance they will
remember for years: take them
to fiNalE.
Tickets include antipasto platter
& 4 bottles of wine per table.
for more DetAiLs >> www.ignition.ac.nz
ripeconvention centre
95 Kilmore Street
fREE
exitconvention centre
95 Kilmore Street
fREE
flickconvention centre
95 Kilmore Street
fREE
off the railsCoCA gallery
gloucester Street
fREE
visualise Home Ideas Centre
mandeville Street
fREE
ignition 20
Helen Kroon’s dream of being a teacher is now a reality and there is seldom a day she doesn’t reference her training at CPiT.
now working as a soft materials technology teacher at St Cuthbert’s College in auckland, Helen says CPiT’s innovative teaching methods and excellent resources were a major inspiration during her diploma in Fashion Technology and design and graduate diploma of Teaching studies, and she is constantly thinking back to the things she learned there.
ENTERINg THE CLASSROOm
“now that i have my own classroom filled with girls enthusiastic about sewing and creativity, i repeatedly look back over notes and assignments that i completed at CPiT. i use that knowledge on a day-to-day basis. i felt really prepared for the industry after i had finished studying in Christchurch,” she says.
Passionate about fashion and textiles, Helen felt there were shortcomings to the design and workroom side of the industry.
fOR SOmE STUDENTS, PASSINg ON KNOWLEDgE Of THEIR CRAfT IS AS ImPORTANT AS PRACTISINg IT.
stOrY BY ADrieNNe reWi
ignition 21
iN fOCuS www.ignition.ac.nz
i chose CPiT because of
the calibre of the tutors who
worked there
“i felt there was a lack of good textiles technology teachers in high schools throughout new Zealand, so i set out to do my best in this area. Training at CPiT has given me lots of advantages. i could study an interesting range of things under the ‘fashion’ umbrella – subjects like fabric printing, computer and flat pattern making and costume design. The fact that third year students completed two collections was also a major factor in me choosing to study at CPiT. The course gives you plenty of room to experiment and grow as a designer and teacher.”
Jon Mullen, the Visual art Teacher at St Bede’s College, also speaks highly of his time at CPiT, where he gained a Bachelor of design in Visual arts (2007).
“i chose CPiT because of the calibre of the tutors who worked there and the practical nature of the course. working closely with technicians prepares you well for teaching,” he says.
Jon, who arrived at CPiT with a work history in personal training, working with at-risk youth, event management and promotional work, trained at the new Zealand grad School, finished
in three terms and “scored a job three weeks later.” He believes his previous work experience in event management, his work with at-risk youth and his proven ability to relate to students helped him get the teaching job at St Bede’s but he is also quick to attribute his success to the practical (rather than conceptual) approach to leaning he experienced at CPiT.
it was that practical approach to teaching by inspirational staff that also attracted artist and art teacher, lIeve BIerQue to CPiT.
Belgium-born lieve came to new Zealand with a fine arts degree from antwerp. On her arrival here she attended Christchurch College of Education and then taught at Burnside High School for “seven wonderful, creative years.” in 2005 she received a PPTa Study award and she began studying at CPiT in 2006. Since completing a Bachelor of design and Postgraduate diploma in design, she has taken up the position of art department head at Christchurch girls’ High School. She describes her CPiT tutors as “hidden treasures.”
“i always advise my year 13 students to research tertiary institutions before
they make one of their biggest life decisions. when i decided to upgrade my own teaching skills and qualifications, i took my own advice. i settled on CPiT because what could be better than being taught by people you admire?” she says.
Jon mullen shares lieve’s opinion: “The CPiT tutors are very committed. They’re very supportive of your work; they share their own experiences and the successes and failures of their own work. That helped me develop a wide range of skills that have been invaluable in my own teaching,” he concludes.
StIllS FroM HeleN krooN’S cpIt collectIoN
“cIty oF DollS’
ignition 22
andrew shaskey19 marCH 1985 - 4 July 2009. aNDrEw wOulD HaVE graDuaTED aT THE END Of ‘09 wiTH a DiPlOma iN PrOfESSiONal PHOTOgraPHy. HE arriVED aT THE SCHOOl wiTH a limiTED kNOwlEDgE Of PHOTOgraPHy BuT quiCkly fOuND HiS VOiCE. TragiCally, HiS lifE waS CuT SHOrT iN July THiS yEar.
ignition 23
PHOTOgraPHy www.ignition.ac.nz
‘ANDreW’
ignition 24
‘mice’
ignition 25
PHOTOgraPHy www.ignition.ac.nz
‘Pocket toP’
ignition 26
iNtErviEW BY richArD BArrett
finn nitzschmannOUR fORmATIvE YEARS OfTEN PROvIDE CLUES TO OUR ADULT DESTINY, AND SUCH IS THE CASE WITH fINN NITZSCHmANN, A 2008 gRADUATE Of THE CPIT SCHOOL Of ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES, SPECIALISINg IN INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE.
AS A CHILD, fINN LIKED DRAWINg HOUSES, AND BASED ON THE SKILL AND ImAgINATION ExHIBITED WHILE ACHIEvINg HIS BACHELOR Of ARCHITECTURAL STUDIES (BAS), ONE ImAgINES THOSE DRAWINgS WERE NOT THE TYPICAL BOx WITH A COUPLE Of WINDOWS AND A CHImNEY.
artiCLE BY ciNDY stAuDt
ignition 27
TESTimONial www.ignition.ac.nz
‘ROOfTOP ADDITION’ fINN NITZSCHmANN 2008
building and using both its height and its hindrances (including a services shaft) to his advantage. He envisions a space where ‘the floor plan is angled from space to space’, thereby providing ‘an open plan design without doors…[but] with spaces appearing as separate entities at the same time’ — including tunnels that lead to a studio and bedroom.
Such an idea reflects Barrett’s description of Finn as an architect who ‘produces highly innovative architectural design solutions, never content with simply working from the client’s brief’.
when asked about his personal influences, Finn cites new Zealand modernists such as The group, Thom Craig and ian athfield. He especially notes Sir miles warren, whose ‘brutalist’ style included using raw materials such as concrete in a very raw, unfinished form.
as for his experience at CPiT, Finn is positive that he gained good skills, enjoying the architectural design course in particular.
“i enjoyed experimentation with ideas, and with methods for resolving these
ideas, and doing bold gestural and colourful drawings to illustrate my thinking,” he says.
For the future, Finn concedes that the economic downturn makes breaking into an architectural career more difficult: ‘my timing of joining the workforce happens to coincide with the deepest worldwide recession for years – this has put the brakes on building activity in new Zealand and overseas’. But he remains confident that in five years time, he will be ‘designing interesting and challenging architecture’.
“as a child, i was pretty impressed by architecture,” says Finn, in a recent interview conducted by Richard Barrett, Senior academic Staff member in the School of architectural Studies.
“i remember at school studying the history of architecture and being blown away by gothic buildings in particular.”
Though Finn refrains from defining his own style (‘i don’t know…do i have a style?’), recent work reflects his desire to push boundaries and avoid being average. His own advice for current and future CPiT architecture students, ‘always think laterally – push the envelope’.
nowhere is Finn’s lateral thinking more evident than in his design brief for a rooftop addition to an existing building, aptly titled ‘Over the Top’. as noted in the brief, his project ‘aims to challenge the everyday perception of domestic space, the way it is used and the place it occupies in the urban fabric’. as a challenge to the ‘so-called “postmodern” buildings of the 70s and 80s’ here in Christchurch, Finn labels his addition a ‘parasite’, perched atop a staid
Challenge the everyday
perception of domestic
space
NEwS www.ignition.ac.nz
ignition 28
stOrY BY aDrIeNNe rewI
living the
dream
ignition 29
muSiC arTS www.ignition.ac.nz
anna, who graduated from CPiT’s Jazz School in 2007, established a new performing arts school at Sharp Studios after-School Care in april. Based at west Spreydon School, the school offers lessons in hip hop, jazz, drama and singing for up to 50 children a week, who are drawn from four primary schools in the area.
“it was always my long term goal to set up something like this, so when Sharp after-School Care (a charitable trust) approached me and offered me the chance, it was too good an opportunity to pass up. all my training to this point has put me in a good position to do the job; it incorporates everything i ever wanted to do,” says anna.
She’s the first to concede that her jazz and piano studies at the Jazz School have played a major role in refining her inherent skills and increasing her confidence as an all-round performer.
“i was very young when i started ballet and jazz dance: i started playing the violin when i was three. i went to Burnside High on a violin scholarship and, prior to going to CPiT, i was involved in musical theatre and teaching at impact dance and Stage School. my lifelong goal has always been to be a musician and a teacher but i wanted to be more versatile. i wanted to be able to write and arrange music. That’s why i enrolled at CPiT.
“The great thing about the Jazz School is that you learn the skills you actually need in real life. They give you the basics and then you’re left to become your own person, your own artist. i liked that and i benefited hugely from that teaching style. The fact that many of the tutors are also performers adds another level of inspiration to your study. it’s a great model and it made me want to follow
living the
dreammy heart and take my passion for performing into my day job.
getting started, learning the ropes and managing staff at Sharp has been a bigger challenge than anna anticipated but she’s enthusiastic about the school’s potential.
“we’re aimed at after-school care for the children of working parents and as far as i know we’re unique in Christchurch. The fact that we’re getting up to 50 kids a week indicates there is a demand for this sort of after-school activity,” she says.
as a separate initiative anna has also set up music lessons for Sharp after -School Care which run at Spreydon Baptist Church. Over 100 children a week are making the most of half-hour lessons in drums, bass, guitar, keyboard and ukulele.
“my dream is to see after-school groups like these all around new Zealand. if kids are already in after-school care it makes sense to introduce them to activities that will help them develop life skills. i was very fortunate as a child because my parents took me to music and dance lessons but not everyone is that lucky. many of our parents are eligible for government subsidies though so the cost of classes comes right down. They’re very excited about that. They want to see their children getting access to creative opportunities.”
anna says one of the biggest rewards she’s had from establishing the school has been watching children thrive in a creative environment.
“There’s been a dramatic change in some of the children already. we had one girl who wouldn’t speak at all when she arrived. Her mother enrolled her out of desperation but now she’s participating fully and she’s even
made a speech in front of her class. it’s been really inspiring to be part of that journey. i gained much of my own confidence and life skill through participating in creative arts as a child and it’s really cool to be able to transfer that to a whole new group of children.”
it hasn’t been plain sailing though. anna admits that some children come with behavioural problems and that’s meant putting her after-school leaders – some of them high school students – through training nights each month to ensure they can know how to supervise the children correctly.
“we have a high child-to-supervisor ratio and organizations like women’s Refuge and Stepping Stones have run short courses for us so we can manage any potential problems,” says anna.
“ultimately though, i love a challenge. i’ve written a musical for the kids and we’re working toward our december performance. all 50 children from the performing arts group will be involved and it’s exciting to watch them developing in the process. we’re finding tiny talents all the time and i love nurturing them. i’ve got the dream job that’s for sure.”
ANNA WHITAKER HAS BEEN PERfORmINg fOR AS LONg AS SHE CAN REmEmBER AND NOW, AT 24, HER DREAm Of BECOmINg A PERfORmINg ARTS TEACHER HAS BECOmE A REALITY.
my lifelong goal has always
been to be a musician and a
teacher
ignition 30
fIND YOUR
SOUNDBut it was during those hefty hours that the idea of Alpha 96.1 developed.
The team had to identify a niche market that wasn’t already catered for in Christchurch and then research every single aspect of it. Team member Rebecca Fleet said it was essential to find out everything they could about their audience.
“we wanted Alpha to target the 25-35 year-old age group, recent graduates, male white-collar young professionals - the generation y kids who are about to really make their mark on the world.”
and so the concept of ‘dave’ was born. The quintessential Alpha male is a 27 year old accountant who spends
IT’S A CHALLENgE SET DOWN ANNUALLY TO ALL fIRST YEAR RADIO STUDENTS AT THE NZ BROADCASTINg SCHOOL (NZBS): fIND A gAP IN THE CHRISTCHURCH RADIO mARKET, CREATE A COmmERCIALLY vIABLE fORmAT TO fILL THAT gAP, AND THEN, Of COURSE, PUT THE fORmAT TO AIR.
SOUND EASY ENOUgH?
stOrY BY reBeccA eDWArDs
Three teams were given three weeks to put together a 40 minute pitch to local industry professionals for an all new radio format. The winning pitch would become the new format for the nZBS’s annual student station running april to October.
For Elliott Smith, a member of the winning team, the three weeks were the most intense he’s ever experienced.
“during formatting there just aren’t enough hours in the day. we’d be at school at 8 in the morning, and hopefully leave by 11.30 that night. Some nights we’d look at the clock and find it was as late as 2am!”
alpharadio.co.nztwitter.com/alpharadio
facebook.com/alpha96.1
ignition 31
BrOaDCaSTiNg www.ignition.ac.nz
his spare time catching up with mates at Sol Square and is never without his iPod which is full of music ranging from old stuff to new stuff, and covering everything - rock, dance and alternative.
The range of music was one of Alpha’s key points of difference. Elliott knew the iPod would be the station’s biggest competitor and filling the airwaves with lots of different music offered an opportunity to tackle that.
“we wanted to mix things up and give our audience a bit of everything they loved. we wanted them to feel like they were listening to their iPods on shuffle.”
Rebecca says it’s about trying to create a distinct feeling for their Alpha audience.
“most commercial stations have that feeling of repetition. we wanted to mix that up. we wanted a station you could just put on in the background and actually enjoy, hearing the songs you hadn’t heard in a while, as well as the new stuff just out.”
getting to the point where they could create that feeling though meant conquering a few more hurdles.
Reaching a pre-broadcast target of $15,400 was probably one of the biggest. That meant selling, selling, and more selling, in the hope of getting real-life businesses to cough up cash for advertising on their student station.Rebecca says it was one of the hardest parts of the whole project, but having a
station as unique as Alpha helped make the process easier.
“i think our advantage was the fact that we could say that there was no other station in Christchurch targeting our specific audience.”
and the Alpha team sold – in fact it made a record for the highest combined revenue of $73,412.
Both Rebecca and Elliott believe the project allowed them to learn and develop as budding radio broadcasters, putting techniques they’d learned in the classroom into a real life situation. and while the tutors are there to give advice, they were as hands-off as possible.
Alpha is first and foremost a student created and operated station, allowing them to bring their own unique vision to life.
The beauty is that each team member has made their own individual mark on the station. whether a student’s strength lies in creative writing, programming, promotions, production, sales, being on-air, or web management, it’s the combination of talent which creates the sound that is Alpha 96.1.
and although relatively small, Alpha has made in-roads on a heavily fragmented local radio market. while there’s no official way to know just how the station is tracking, social media sites such as Twitter and Facebook allow the Alpha team to keep a check on what their
audience likes and dislikes. and with 1,104 friends on Facebook it’s safe to say a lot of people like what they hear.
after so much hard work, the best thing for Rebecca is the feedback the team gets from their listeners.
“Having been in the Alpha group from the start, and having seen the way the idea has changed and developed into a successful radio station, is so great.
“But what’s even better, is getting the texts and the emails – knowing that people are listening.”
Elliott agrees.
“as students we’re sort of just feeling our way through, but to know that our listeners love what we’re doing is just so cool.
“when you walk into a shop and you hear Alpha playing it makes you realise what we’ve accomplished. The realisation that we’re out there, we’re actually competing with the big guys like Zm and the Rock, and we’re actually doing a really terrific job makes you feel so great.”
we wanted them to feel
like they were listening to their iPods on shuffle
TAmSYN & ‘HENDO’ IN THE ALPHA 96.1 STUDIO
ignition 32
“you only have to visit Visions, the fully licensed restaurant on the city campus to see that first-hand,” says School of Food & Hospitality Programme leader, Tony kesseler.
“This whole place is driven by students’ learning and we make it as realistic as possible within the commercial environment,” he says.
Visions on Campus has been operating as a commercial restaurant for 18 years and both kesseler and Restaurant and Bar manager, Chris davies are enthusiastic about the vitality it brings to the CPiT campus and the real life experience it offers students.
“we want to produce students who are work-ready, students who are creative and able to go out and hit the ground running. Visions gives them a sense of reality and allows them to put their knowledge into formal practice. it’s all about passion and excellence and that is born out by the fact that CPiT is well-regarded nationally as one of the top hospitality training schools in the country,” says kesseler.
“we’ve won numerous awards over
the years – including the Prime minister’s award for Teaching Excellence, twice – and that keeps us on the edge. we are continually striving for that kind of excellence.”
Head of the Food & Hospitality School, karen Te Puke says the school has produced ‘a lot of culinary shining stars’ over the years and the fact that CPiT’s participation in the annual nestle Toque d’Or culinary competitions has seen them win 12 times is almost the stuff of legends.
“CPiT is the only team in new Zealand to have won this prestigious national competition more than once and the in-depth competition training they get is invaluable. it tells future employees that our graduates already have established standards,” she says.
across town at CPiT’s Sullivan avenue campus, Head of School for Construction Trades at the Trades innovation institute, neville ward is also a big fan of giving students
‘real world’ experience. One of the projects they are currently involved in is a collaborative venture with the School of architectural Studies, the university of Canterbury and lincoln
real vision‘REAL LIfE’ TRAININg IS ONE Of THE CORE PHILOSOPHICAL PRINCIPLES Of STUDENT EDUCATION AT CPIT.
stOrY BY ADrieNNe reWi
toque D’or wINNING teaM 2009 (leFt-rIGHt)
NIcole carlSoNryaN lyNcHSara cHaNGkeNt SlocuMbeStaN tawaMarcuS brauNeMIly roSS
ignition 33
university, to enter the national Sustainable Habitat Challenge 09 (SHaC). a number of teams around new Zealand are competing in the challenge to design and build sustainable housing in their local community. CPiT’s architectural, interior design, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, joinery and furniture design students are all involved in the bid to design the winning house that will meet the brief for low-energy, low-resource housing.
“a project of this nature enhances the students’ knowledge of what it takes to work collaboratively with other trades. They learn very quickly that it’s fine to have great ideas but those ideas sometimes have to be tempered to be compatible with other aspects of the project,” says ward.
He says a project like SHaC encourages students to think creatively, outside the square.
“Our core principle is to get people ready for the industry and we’re constantly engaging with industry through advisory groups and adapting
to meet industry needs. That kind of partnership is crucial and it’s given us the ability to turn out top work-ready graduates. The Trades innovation institute is definitely seen nationally as a leading educational facility. Every polytechnic in the country has been to visit to see what’s being developed here and many have taken our lead and are now following a similar path.”
interior design Project Coordinator, Faye lowden says the local interior décor industry recognises that CPiT is able to provide job-ready graduates for retail-related employment.
“Our Certificate in interior décor produces realistically qualified graduates who satisfy the demand for more local and specialised services that meet the needs of an every-changing retail-related employment market,” she says.
She adds that the diploma in interior design was developed to satisfy the increasing demand for formal education in the area of kitchen, bathroom and residential interior design.
“The programme produces graduates who satisfy the demand for more sophisticated, specialised services in the residential market,” she says.
“interior design students working on the SHaC project have been able to work and collaborate with the engineering students to provide creative and sustainable resolutions for the interior fit-out of the house. This has provided them with ‘real life’ experience in facing the challenges of selecting and sourcing sustainable materials for the house, at the same time utilising their creative skills and flair.”
That depth of student experience is something the Trades innovation institute prides itself on says neville ward.
“we normally build two or three houses a year here as a regular part of our construction programme. They’re auctioned off when they’re completed. Those projects and the SHaC house are a key part of our student development.”
This whole place is driven
by students’ learning
eNtree eNtry For toque D’or
NEwS www.ignition.ac.nz
NEwS www.ignition.ac.nz
ignition 34 ignition 34
what course did you study at CPiT and why did you choose this course and career path?
i chose the Bachelor of design (Visual Communications), because it was the same qualification as the course offered at massey, only 3 years instead of four. i loved design at School, and wanted to be a designer when i grew up.
Thinking about the course content, what do you think are the strengths of the programme?
it was cool to be able to gain the understanding of a broad range of design in first and second year before justifying your third year specialties.... that is when it all really starts to click into place.
Could you please briefly explain your work history since leaving CPiT?
after CPiT i went straight to nyC - where i interned as a graphic designer at TimE OuT magazine. after a few months here, i got my first ‘real job’ at Fahrnheit-212, an innovation consultancy that drives top line growth by creating transformational new products, brands businesses and strategic visions.
what are you doing now?
i am currently working in nZ as a designer and creative director for mOnS ROyalE, an underwear brand that is due to launch this winter.
what do you enjoy the most about your job?
Changing the way people value design. also, translating raw ideas into visual, tangible, physical things whether it be a bottle, logo or photo.
what have been the biggest industry challenges you’ve had to face so far?
The hardest was the beginning. getting my foot in the door. in new york, they wouldn’t flinch unless you
hannah aubrey
HANNAH’S DESIgN SKILLS HAvE TAKEN HER fROm CHRISTCHURCH TO NEW YORK CITY AND BACK AgAIN. NOW SHE PLANS TO DEvELOP THEm fURTHER TO CREATE HER OWN INTERNATIONAL BRAND.
NEwS www.ignition.ac.nz
hannah aubrey
TESTimONial www.ignition.ac.nz
had work experience under your belt. interning (unpaid) was a method to get past this first phase.
Have you had any personal or career highlights?
getting promoted to senior designer after two years at Fahrenheit-212 was pretty cool - a position i hadn’t seen myself undertaking for a few more years!
what are your career aspirations?
To base myself out of little studio in nZ, still have an international client base and launch my own global brand that will forever take me on regular trips around the world!
Translating raw ideas into
visual, tangible, physical
things whether it be a bottle,
logo or photo
ignition 35
Billed as the music industry’s favourite night out, the aPRa Silver Scroll awards has been recognising the creative excellence of new Zealand songwriters and composers since 1965, and for the very first time, the 2009 awards were hosted in Christchurch.
The annual invitation only event was held at the Christchurch Town Hall in September and featured one-of-a kind performances. it’s what makes the night so special and a definite favourite amongst musicians.
Category finalists and winners have their work covered by other
new Zealand artists, with unique collaborations and performances giving musicians an unparalleled chance to celebrate their music.
For the CPiT School of Performing arts, it provided an ideal opportunity for staff and students to be involved at the very top level of new Zealand’s music industry.
Two performances of nominated songs featured students from the Bachelor of Performing arts programme: degrees of Existence (Shayne Carter) performed by demarnia lloyd, Stuart lloyd-Harris and dave Cooper with five naSda vocalists, and apple-Pie Bed (James milne and luke Buda) sung by Bic Runga with a 40-voice naSda choir. arranged by Tom Rainey and with musical director Richard marrett, this song was the eventual winner of the Silver Scroll for 2009.
These performances, with their stylish, contemporary sound gave the music Theatre majors a chance to show just how versatile they can be across a variety of genres.
nasda at the silver scrollsstOrY BY richArD mArrett
For the students, the experience of the performance in the Town Hall with the highest of production values and the opportunity to meet and sing with the delightful Bic Runga provided yet another highlight to a busy, high-profile performing year, following on from appearances at the opening of the Christchurch arts Festival, Telethon’s Big night in, and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra’s Broadway Broads, which also featured a number of soloists from the Creative industries Faculty.
Christchurch mayor Bob Parker said Christchurch was delighted to be hosting the aPRa Silver Scroll awards for the first time.
“as a city, we are cultivating our musical industry. we want to encourage our musical talent to base themselves in our city and so enrich our cultural core.”
if the aPRa Silver Scroll awards evening is anything to go by, Christchurch can take heart in its music scene. it’s already thriving with depth, range and sheer talent.
ignition 37
NEwS www.ignition.ac.nz
EXPERIENCE IT ALL
