Everybody knows the hills are alive with the sound of music, but so is a little primary school tucked away in the Thames Valley.
Nothing can stop the tunes from pouring out of Kerepēhi Primary School, where not only one but two of the school’s bands struck a chord at a music competition on August 15.
The Kere Tanwihas and 5 Starz bands competed at the regional event for Waikato Bandquest in Hamilton and went home with accolades in tow.
Kerepēhi students Malakai Anderson, Tori Tai, Faith Anderson, Logan Matete, Lyfe Kaneri-Taylor and Hinerau Castle-Toto, make up the band The Kere Taniwhas.
The group won the Rocking Drummer Award for Malakai Anderson, and Star Vocalist Awards for Logan Matete and Faith Anderson, who also won it last year.
The second band, 5 Starz, is made up of students Xemba Sadinas, Karvell Kelly, Jahvarn Kaneri-Taylor, Lucy Tube, Krysla Watene-Joseph, Rose Bains and Hail Puata.
5 Starz won third place overall and a $300 credit to buy an instrument from The Rockshop.
Music teacher Matua Stu Green told The Profile he was just “massively proud of them”.
“The two bands have been playing together since the beginning of the year,” he said.
“They’ve come such a long way.”
Matua Stu said the coolest thing was they were students from a small school who performed on a big stage and “these guys really stood up”.
Matua Damian Anderson said they practiced hard and it was quite emotional because both bands did well.
“[There] may have been a tear in our eyes when they pulled it off,” he said.
The students, who practice together every Monday and Wednesday in the school music room, said they were really proud of their achievements from the night.
Hinerau, 12, said she was nervous to begin with, while 10-year-old Lucy also said she felt more confident once she got up there.
Jahvarn, 12, said it was pretty cool getting to perform, while Rose, 12, said it was fun to watch all the other bands do their soundcheck in the afternoon.
Logan, 10, said it was awesome to see their community come out to support them.
“We had a big support base there.”
One thing that helped Logan get over the nerves was “just doing it” he said, while Lucy said: “if you make a mistake, just keep on going”.
Tori Tai, 12, said music was a safe space, while Hinerau said it was something that “brings us together”.
And Krysla Watene-Joseph, 12, said it was something that helped create bonds.
Some things the students said they found difficult about being in a band was making sure they were all in time with each other, resolving different opinions and when you “can’t get that one line”.
The next thing students were working toward was getting some original music written and recorded, Matua Stu said.
And the plan was “we’re going to release them on Spotify”.
Matua Stu said they had started their own record label called KP Records.
All seven of the school’s bands would write, record and release their music, Matua Stu said.
“If all goes well, there will be seven tracks altogether.”
The students were aiming to have this done next term, he said. For others thinking about starting a band, the Kerepēhi musos said “just go for it.. it’ll be fun as”.
“Believe in yourself… just go out there and smash it”.
