Music was something Kerepēhi kids said “brings us together”. It was a safe space that helped them to communicate with one another and create bonds, they said. Kerepēhi Primary School students who attended music lessons with their music teacher Matua Stu Green were gearing up for something special.
The music students would release an EP of original music at the end of the year, as well as perform the songs for their peers, teachers and whānau. And the plan was “we’re going to release them on Spotify” through the schools record label KP Records, Matua Stu said.
Valley Profile reporter Davidda Hikatangata, who is also a singer-songwriter and musician, was invited to offer mentorship and listen to the Kerepēhi musos perform their music on October 16. The students were in the writing and planning stages of their processes on the day, and getting ready to record their music this week. Davidda said she was blown away by the clever writing, fantastic rhythm and interesting melodies from the young music makers.
“The students gelled so well in their bands.” The most important part was the students looked like they had fun, she said. “I can’t wait for people to hear the music.”