The first ever New Zealand ''Golden Ribbon'' Multicultural Youth Music Festival took place in Christchurch from 11 July to 16 July.
The event brought together accomplished musicians from different communities and allowed young participants to experience world music and enabled cultural exchange.
Conducted over six days, the festival saw various workshops conducted to introduce world music to young participants, culminating in a gala concert at the Christchurch Town Hall James Hay Theatre on July 16, when young musicians shared the stage with music maestros.
Featuring Eastern and Western fusion performances, the concert was a feast of music and culture. Students and professional musicians from New Zealand and other countries performed world class music to enthrall an audience with different musical tastes.
Students were grouped into Piano, Vocal, Percussion, Winds, Strings, Ethnic minority musical instrument and Contemporary/singer-songwriter sections.
Musicians who participated in the festival included UC professor of Music and internationally acclaimed violinist and violist, Dr Mark Menzies, UC Head of Piano, renowned pianist Tim Emerson, UC’s head of voice studies, celebrated performer and teacher Zara Ballara, Erhu master, Principal Advisor on Chinese folk Music and Creative Music for UC School of Music, Jeffrey Zhao; Uma Varma, an Indian classical musician on Carnatic music, specialising in vocals and the string instrument Veena and many more.
Organised by Christchurch Multicultural Council, Christchurch Chinese Society and CN International Cultural and Art Exchange Association, the festival was hosted by University of Canterbury School of Music.
Surinder Tandon, president of the Christchurch Multicultural Council(CMC), away in India on a personal visit, sent his message. Tandon expressed his gratitude and congratulated Jeffrey Zhao, the convenor of the festival and his team of musicians. He also shared his pleasure to see young musicians and professional musicians coming together to promote the rich diversity in music. He said music, like art, culture, languages, food and costumes, fosters unity in diversity and social cohesion.The two Indian groups who participated in the festival were Revathi Performing arts’ teacher Uma Varma, performing Carnatic music and Tabla teacher Joshua, accompanied by his three students.
Uma Varma conducted a workshop on Carnatic Music inside the Old Chemistry Building, Christchurch Art Centre with about 30 participants.
Varma told the Indian Weekender, "It was a great experience. There were only a couple of students who had previous exposure to Carnatic Music. All others were students of Western vocal / Violin. But they actively participated and responded to my instructions. I used Raagam Shankarabharanam which is equivalent to C Major in Western style. It was very interesting to see the Violinists sit on the floor and hold their Violin in Carnatic Style. We played and sang a few Swara patterns together and a Note Swara composed by one of the Carnatic Music Trinities Shri Muthuswami Deekshithar."
Joshua Devanbu, who teaches Tabla, performed along with Varma and three of his students, Deep Das, Adarsh Roy and Hemot Khanal.
“It was a beautiful experience to be a part of this musical exchange and showcase the rich musical heritage of our country. I was proud of my students who performed for the first time in a live setting,” Devanbu told the Indian Weekender.