At the World’s Edge Music Festival heads to school
After a week of stunning performances, open rehearsals, artist talks and free events, At the World’s Edge festival moves into its school programme this week.
Students from schools in the Southern Lakes and Central Otago will have the opportunity to meet and listen to AWE Festival artists from around the world and Aotearoa as they bring their music into the region’s kura.
A core part of AWE’s purpose is to nurture the upcoming generation of classical musicians. Three local Emerging Artists were selected to join the festival and receive mentorship from festival artists, including performing alongside them during the festival. This year’s Emerging Composer, Georgina Palmer, received close mentorship in the months leading up to AWE, creating a new work that received its world premiere during the Immemorial programme at Te Atamira last Friday.
These Emerging Artists and Georgina Palmer will be joining some of their fellow festival artists during the schools week, performing a broad programme of music (including Georgina’s work) while also providing insights into their musical journeys to date, and offering practical advice to students who are keen to explore the world of music as a career option.
Festival Director Justine Cormack says that the schools programme forms a vital part of the AWE festival.
“Our artists love having the opportunity to meet and perform for local students.,” she says. “Many of these students may not have had the chance to listen to live performances before. It’s not often that school students are able to meet and listen to musicians of this calibre.
“These are the moments and encounters that can create the connections that have lasting and life-long impacts and provide inspiration to the next generation of Aotearoa’s classical musicians.
“Our Emerging Artists have been mentored by our festival artists and the schools programme gives them the opportunity to pass on some of their insights and experiences to younger musicians. We simply love creating experiences that move, inspire, and uplift our audiences; audiences of all ages. That’s what it’s all about.”
