Christchurch Connections at Our Keep in Touch Day

The final Keep in Touch (KIT) Day of 2023 was a fantastic event that engaged children and adults alike. We enjoyed a well-paced and structured presentation by six musicians from the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, who wowed our ākonga with music and fun. The members introduced themselves and their instruments, then invited the children to participate by marching, keeping a rhythm and trying out the instruments before playing a short piece of classical music with the other musicians.

Everyone was captivated by the beautiful, sometimes very weird, sounds; many children were hearing these instruments for the first time. The children had a sense of wonder when hearing the different sounds the instruments could make, and they all loved having an opportunity to play various instruments themselves, especially the violin.

Feedback from children and whānau was positive, and it seems the Christchurch music instrument shops will have lots of business this Christmas as many children now want to learn the violin, ukelele and drums as a result!

Students were buzzing on the journey home, talking about the instruments. Thank you to the Early Years Whānau Centre (EYWC) team for such a fun KIT day; we all had a wonderful time!

Student Feedback:

An 8-year-old was asked:
Which instrument do you like best? Which is your favourite?

She gave a long pause … and then said, "All of them! I liked listening to the violin. The music of the violin was beautiful."

Arthur

I would like to learn the violin. I will search CSO when I get home to learn more about the orchestra.

Ashleigh

I liked everything about today. I liked trying the instruments. I liked all of them.

What did you like best of all about today?

I liked seeing my friend Elodie again.

Nayana 

It was my first time at KIT day. I liked all of it. I enjoyed meeting new people. The oboe had an excellent sound. 

Edward

I had a good day. We watched a lot of music. When I played the bucket drum, I hit the drums hard. I want to learn an instrument.

Parent

Thanks, Karen, now I have to buy a ukulele!