You do not need the best facilities and a lot of experience to make music when you have raw talent and passion.
A band of musically inclined pupils, who call themselves Ōreo, from Dunedin’s Bathgate Park School, won the Otago Rockshop Bandquest regional competition at the weekend after only a few months of learning their instruments.
Their music teacher Alex Brown-Hunt said Ōreo members Anthony Coriakula, Faith Merquita, Joy Natadra, Robina Dauntioko, Nyjel David, Walyn Tafo’ou and Jasper had a lot of "hidden talent" and were waiting for an opportunity to showcase it.
Despite not having access to their instruments at home, the children picked up on how to play them relatively quickly because they were passionate.
Mr Brown-Hunt initially encouraged the pupils by showing them some basic techniques but the children "ran with it".
They began learning music on their own by watching TikTok and YouTube videos, slowly finding their different niches.
Anthony began with playing the guitar but then swapped with Joy who played the bass because both of them gravitated more towards each other’s instruments.
He practised playing the bass at home on his father’s guitar.
He stumbled upon the keyboard player Jasper randomly playing Für Elise in the school’s hallway - not knowing it was a Beethoven composition.
Mr Brown-Hunt introduced Jasper to more songs and that sparked an interest in learning about different chords and how to play music.
The band had been together since April. At first they had two-hour sessions working together every week.
"We had a band meeting and we decided that if we want to do well in this, we’re going to have to put in the extra time."
In the last two weeks before Bandquest, the students were allowed to spend their afternoons rehearsing together and they formed a real bond, Mr Brown-Hunt said.
Joy had designed artwork for the band that was made into a T-shirt they wore during their performance.
Going to Bandquest together made them feel like they were rock stars on tour, he said.
"It was awesome for these guys to have a taste what it’s going to be like when you are at a higher level."
The band performed Stan Walker’s Māori Ki Te Ao and Beyonce’s Love on Top to win at the Otago regional.
As a teacher, it was "super rewarding" to watch his pupils grow and go through their musical journey, Mr Brown-Hunt said.
"To relive that journey with them and see them take it somewhere else has been super fun.
"It’s the best job in the world."
There were other schools with better facilities than Bathgate, but it had a focus on the arts that inspired its pupils to showcase their "raw talent", he said.
"You walk down the hallways and you see the art on the wall and there are several pianos scattered around so it is just really driven for their kids to be a part of the arts."
