Ode to Ōtara: Young musicians strike a chord for change

Beethoven’s ‘Ode to Joy’ was written centuries ago, but this week it became a powerful celebration of unity through music, bringing together youth as they rehearsed for an upcoming concert with the Auckland Philharmonia and the Sāmoan music education initiative, Sol Fa.

Dozens of young musicians performed 'Ode to Joy' at a Sistema Aotearoa rehearsal, welcoming Arts Minister Paul Goldsmith to Ōtara’s Music and Arts Centre on Tuesday.

The rehearsal was part of the lead-up to their annual "Pese! Fasi! Pūoro!" concert and provided Goldsmith with insight into the talent, discipline, and pride of South Auckland.

However, when asked about increasing government investment in community arts, the minister was cautious.

"It’s amazing to be out here and to see the smiling little faces as they’re exposed to the wonderful world of music," Goldsmith says. "There are few greater things than being part of a group making music together.

"We can’t walk in with a chequebook and throw money around. We're maintaining arts funding in a very tough environment, and we're encouraging agencies to invest widely, from professionals to grassroots groups like this."

Sistema Aotearoa, which partners with over 60 South Auckland schools to provide free orchestral education, is widely celebrated for its impact on tamariki. But board member Tasha Hohaia says the programme’s success has been achieved despite limited resources.

"We make magic happen with the little we have. And with just a little bit more, we could reach more," Hohaia says. "It's critical to have Māori and Pasifika whānau supported in classical music. We have so much to offer the world."

Iain Rea, General Manager for Sistema Aotearoa, says the programme goes beyond music education.

“Sistema Aotearoa is much more than a music programme, it's also about community development and the programme has been going for almost 15 years. It's hugely supported by the community, it's as much about community building as it is about music.”

One example is Reece Ferrer, 19, who joined Sistema Aotearoa as a child and is now a tutor.

“I joined when I was five, so that was back in 2013. I currently do midwifery at AUT, but I've been with Sistema basically for 14 years. Sistema to me is much more than a music programme.

“It helped me build my social skills and helped me connect with the community in Aotearoa.”

Minister Paul Goldsmith in the centre with Sistema Aotearoa rangatahi, General Manager Iain Rea, board member Tasha Hohaia, and MP Carlos Cheung on the right; youth adviser William Kingi and tutor Reece Ferrer on the left. Photo/PMN News Mary Afemata

Ferrer, who learned the violin and flute, has forged connections with fellow students through Sistema Aotearoa, and is now giving back to her community as a young adult.

For parents like Terry Filipo, whose son plays the violin, the change is deeply personal. Filipo’s son is a Year Four student at Flatbush School, and she hopes he will gain discipline and self-belief from the programme.

Filipo says the programme exposes children like her son to new spaces.

"I look at my son and see a future that’s more open because of exposure to classical music. It’s an investment, not just in music, but in how our kids see the world.

Terry Filipo with her son, a budding violinist. Photo/PMN News Mary Afemata

“It’s a practice. Whether it’s a sport or an instrument, you learn commitment, and that progress follows discipline.

“It’s a type of cultural exchange, which is important not just musically and not just skill-wise but their perspective … it’s allowing them to expand on their worldview even as young people.”

Filipo stresses the need for government funding and support.

“It’s extremely important … Without the funding and without the support that Aotearoa Sistema gets, children that come from certain areas … may not go to schools [with access to] this type of music or even this type of culture.”

Children playing musical instruments during rehearsal at Sistema Aotearoa. Photo/PMN News Mary Afemata

“It is an investment, even for our music industry. We have so much to contribute … We don’t support small, we support big.”

Rene’s son has participated in the Sistema Aotearoa programme for three years, starting in Year Two. He plays the cello, and Rene believes the opportunity might not have come without it.

She says the programme teaches more than just music; it nurtures confidence and opens doors.

She adds that the programme fosters engagement and uncovers hidden talents, strongly endorsing the initiative.

“I think without the awareness of the programme, it may not have been an opportunity that he would have pursued.

“I think it’s very crucial, opening up their eyes to different opportunities, different disciplines. So it’s not just about the musical ability, but it offers a wide range of, I guess, perspective and life lessons as well that they can carry through to other areas of their lives.

“It’s much better to have our kids engaging in this kind of activity rather than on the couch and so forth.”

William Kingi, Sistema Aotearoa's youth adviser, says the programme opens doors that would otherwise remain closed to rangatahi.

William Kingi and Reece Ferrer, youth adviser and tutor for Sistema Aotearoa. Photo/PMN News Mary Afemata

"Even though this community is under-resourced, we’re culturally rich. Classical music allows our kids to participate in spaces that might feel foreign, but instead, they feel like they belong. "Sistema helps level the playing field. Not a lot, but just enough to change a life."

That potential was visible during the rehearsal, as students beamed with pride while performing for their families and friends.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.