January 17, 2017
Ancient sounds get campus airing
Taonga puoro have come to the conservatorium.
The University of Waikato is this year offering two courses in traditional Maori musical instruments to be taught by taonga puoro composer and practitioner Horomona Horo.
The courses will use a collection of instruments commissioned by the university’s conservatorium of music from taonga puoro master carver Brian Flintoff, funded by Ian and Agi Lehár-Graham.l
“These papers offer a wonderfully warm, open and welcoming pathway into the world of traditional Maori music,” says Martin Lodge, and associate professor at the conservatorium.
“They are suited to anyone who is interested in this unique world of sound, regardless of background. No previous musical or cultural knowledge is needed, just an open heart, an inquiring attitude and a willingness to contribute,” he says.
Students will have the opportunity to make their own instruments, learn the history and create their own compositions.
The courses will be taught in English, with Maori terminology introduced as needed. They may count towards the Tikanga Maori major or minor within the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Social Sciences and students enrolled in the Bachelor of Music may take these papers towards the Maori Musical Instruments in Traditional and Contemporary Contexts stream. They can also be taken as interest papers and are open to all students.
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