SIT Kids Concert marks 10 year anniversary

Author: Andrei Robertson - SIT Marketing
Date posted: 19/05/12

Next week will see the annual SIT Kids Concert celebrate 10 years as it entertains over 2000 children from schools around the region at SIT Centrestage Theatre.

The three day free event at Centrestage will hold 9 shows featuring a mixture of music genres including songs from NZ artists, with the event being held in May in conjunction with NZ music month.  To mark the anniversary, pupils will also receive goody bags supplied by SIT.

The concert is performed by year one Bachelor of Contemporary Music (BCM) students, who are providing different music and songs for the differing age groups.  Songs such as ‘Jump like a Green Frog’ and ‘Hot Potato’ will feature to the preschool audience with more pop/rock songs played to the primary children. The primary concerts also feature three songs written by New Zealand school students over the past three years to celebrate the national singing day, Hook, Line and Singalong Day which is May 31st.

Dr Sally Bodkin-Allen, Academic Leader for the SIT BCM degree has been a part of these events for the last 10 years.  “The kid’s concerts are definitely a highlight of the year for the BCM students and tutors. I love seeing the children who come dancing and singing along and really enjoying music.”

Sally also appreciates the growth in confidence students’ gain from performing to the children.  “I also love seeing the BCM students really grow with confidence in themselves. The children are such a responsive and appreciative audience that the BCM students thrive on performing to them.”

Windsor North School Teacher Sarah Harvey says the children and staff have been very impressed with the talent on show.  “The fantastic venue also adds to the experience for our children. It is a wonderful opportunity for the children from Windsor North School to experience the joy of live music.”

Sarah says the SIT concerts have inspired Windsor North School to be a part of the NZ Music Month Sing-a-long for the past three years. “We have been very fortunate to have the support of Dr Sally Bodkin-Allen (Director of the SIT performing arts) and her students who have attended the NZ Music Month Hook, Line and Sing-a-long at Windsor North School.”

The events are held on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday shows at 9:30am, 11am and 1:30pm each day for the schools and preschools.

An extra concert will be held on Wednesday night to celebrate the tenth anniversary, with current students performing alongside guests from previous years. There will be a diverse programme of songs and this free concert is open to the public (7.00-8.00pm at Centrestage Theatre).