Category — CMPA Newsletter

Canterbury Musical Parenting Association Inc.
Newsletter June 2008

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

Wednesday 18^th June 2008 in the Trinity Room at the Christchurch School of Music. Barbadoes St. Next to the Catholic Cathedral.

7.30-7.45pm      Library (in the old Percussion room across the hall, beside the toilets)

7.45-9pm           How To Incorporate Te Reo into Music Programmes

Special presentation on how to use Te Reo (Maori language) in your music sessions.  Our aim in CMPA is to uphold the Treaty of Waitangi and follow Te Whariki (Early Childhood Curriculum).  Using Te Reo appropriately is a great way to do this.  Please feel free to share Waiata that you use in your children.

Members free. $2 for non-members

Website
http://www.musicalparenting.org.nz/ links page has been updated and includes HeBi Designs contact info, ONZA, Welcome to Music and many other very useful links. 

If you have information you would like included on our website, please send it to j.keehan@xtra.co.nz.  If it’s appropriate we will include it.
If you have any information to go in the next newsletter, please e-mail me at

k.keehan@xtra.co.nz or ring 03-3522106. Cheers, Jody

Canterbury Musical Parenting Association Inc.
Newsletter May 2008
NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

Wednesday 21^st May 2008 in the Trinity Room at the Christchurch School of Music. Barbadoes St. Next to the Catholic Cathedral.

7.30-7.45pm      Library (in the old Percussion room across the hall, beside the toilets)

7.45-9pm           Sharing Session - Taking Orff!

Come and learn about the principals of elemental music from CMPA members who have completed the level 1 or 2 Orff Schulwerk courses. Kathy will also share her memories of the MOSAIC conference in January.  

Members free. $2 for non-members
 

Waipuna Trust Young Parents Musical Play course

Julie was approached by the St John Of God Waipuna Trust to facilitate musical parenting classes for teenage and young parents.  As Julie was busy she asked me to help run these sessions. The original plan was 5 weeks but this extended into a full term.

The basic weekly format was a 45 minute Music and Movement session following the musical parenting philosophy of following the child in musical play. After a break for a drink and something for the children to eat we would spend a further 45 minutes together. Each week we would do something different.  We shared ideas on using music in our homes, made instruments from re-cycling, let the children draw to music (the Carnival of the Animals), play-dough, and generally gave the mums and children time to play and talk together.

Mums shared that the most helpful part of the course was “Getting out of the house, having a chat with the other mums”, “I noticed a big change in Layla”, “Learning new songs to use at home”, “It was good for all the kids and they had fun”.   Since coming to the course Mums commented that they were singing and dancing more with their children and they are following instructions better.

For me, I enjoyed seeing the power of music to help regulate children and grow their confidence.  It was an incredible journey!

If you have any information to go in the next newsletter, please e-mail me at

k.keehan@xtra.co.nz or ring 03-3522106. Cheers, Jody

 Canterbury Musical Parenting Association Inc.Newsletter April 2008

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

Wednesday 16^th April 2008 in the Trinity Room at the Christchurch School of Music. Barbadoes St. Next to the Catholic Cathedral.

7.30-7.45pm      Library

7.45-9pm           Sharing Session - Finger Plays and Rhymes.

Come and share your ideas on finger plays to help develop fine motor

Skills, literacy, numeracy, body awareness … or even just to have fun!

Members free. $2 for non-members

Recipe Corner

http://www.itsasmallworld.co.nz/  is a project contributing to the NZ Diversity Action Programme (Human Rights Commission). The website features children’s poems and rhymes from all cultures. Its organisers would love for you to share its growing collection with your kids, as well as contribute childhood songs from your homeland. (Thanks again to KidSpot for this)

WORKSHOPS/CONCERTS

“Creative Music and Movement Education” Level 1 and 2 Course in Orff Schulwerk. 

Suzie Davies-Splitter, Sarah Brooke and Celia Stewart will present these 2 courses, running simultaneously from Monday 28^th April to Saturday 3^rd May at the University Of Canterbury, Wheki 302 Dovedale Ave campus.  Each day will run from 8.45 to 5.45pm.

Applications have closed but if you are interested there is still a small number of places left.  Contact Celia Stewart  

If you have any information to go in the next newsletter, please e-mail me at

k.keehan@xtra.co.nz or ring 03-3522106. Cheers, Jody

Canterbury Musical Parenting Association Inc. Newsletter March 2008

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

AGM
Wednesday 19^th March 2008 in the Trinity Room at the Christchurch School of Music. Barbadoes St. Next to the Catholic Cathedral.

7.30-8.30pm      AGM

8.30-9pm           Sharing Session.   

Members free. $2 for non-members
CMPA AGM Agenda

• Reports
• Election of officers
• Proposal for Life members
• Programme for 2008 meetings (what would you like to see?)
• Proposal to run Musical, Parenting concerts, 1 per term
• General business

Wow! Award

Our own lovely Melanie Koster has written a children’s book entitled “The Reluctant Little Flower Girl” with illustrations by Jenny Cooper. 

It’s currently being published and the launch is at the Central Library on 17 April at 6pm.  If you would like to go please let Melanie know asap.

Julie Wylie read the book and also looked at Melanie’s second proposed book “The Reluctant Little Musician” and says they are absolutely stunning!   Well done Melanie!!!

Recipe Corner

Kidspot compiled this list of tell tale signs that your 2-4 years is gifted. It can be a little tricky to know if your wee one is extra clever, or just that you think so.

Signs of a gifted 2-4 year old include:

• Has a specific talent, such as artistic ability or an unusual facility for numbers. For example, children who draw unusually realistic pictures or who can manipulate numbers in their head may be gifted.
• Reaches developmental milestones well ahead of peers.
• Has advanced language development, such as an extensive vocabulary or the ability to speak in sentences much earlier than other children his age.
• Is relentlessly curious and never seems to stop asking questions.
• Is unusually active, though not hyperactive. While hyperactive children often have a short attention span, gifted children can concentrate on one task for long periods of time and are passionate about their interests.
• Has a vivid imagination. Gifted children often create a vast and intricate network of imaginary friends with whom they become very involved.
• Is able to memorise facts easily and can recall arcane information that he learns from television shows, movies, or books.

WORKSHOPS/CONCERTS

“Creative Music and Movement Education” Level 1 and 2 Course in Orff Schulwerk. 

Suzie Davies-Splitter, Sarah Brooke and Celia Stewart will present these 2 courses, running simultaneously from Monday 28^th April to Saturday 3^rd May at the University Of Canterbury, Wheki 302 Dovedale Ave campus.  Each day will run from 8.45 to 5.45pm.

Applications close 14^th March.  

41st National Concerto Competition Final

Featuring Alex Lomeiko (Mendelssohn Violin Concerto), Yuuki Bouterey-Ishido (Shostakovich Cello Concerto) Yoshiko Tsuruta (Rosauro Marimba Concerto)with Brian Law & Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.    8 Mar 2008 7:30 pm - Christchurch Town Hall Auditorium

Culture Galore!

Experience the world and celebrate cultural diversity! Over 50 different ethnic groups offer cultural performances and demonstrations, a huge variety of ethnic foods, art and craft for sale and loads of fun activities for the whole family. BYO rug/ch.  15 Mar 2008 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm - Ray Blank Park, Maidstone Rd

The Jazz Man’s Journey

NZ’s piano jazz legend, Doug Caldwell celebrates his BIG 80 with a music showcase, presented by Malcolm McNeill and joined by Christchurch’s top musicians.   19 Mar 2008 7:00 pm - The Octagon Restaraunt & Entertainment venue.  For more info go to http://www.octagonlive.co.nz/

Wonderland!

“Sunshine Kids Productions”, in support of the Child Cancer Foundation Present “Wonderland!”, the Musical Misadventures of a Girl named Alice.  20 Mar 2008 to 23 Mar 2008 - Repertory Theatre, Kilmore Street, Christchurch.  Book at Ballantynes.

St John Passion

CBS Choir & Orchestra present their annual Good Friday performance, featuring this year Paul Whelan as Jesus.   21 Mar 2008 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm - Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament

Chamber Music NZ present the Eggner Trio

Tuesday 25^th March, 8pm at  James Hay Theatre.   Book at Ticketek

If you want to see fantastic Chamber Music this year, or can help with piano page turning, please let Jody know.  

The NZ International Jazz and Blues Festival

Don’t miss the country’s biggest festival of jazz and blues. Over 40 line-ups from NZ and overseas performing in various venues. Free and ticketed events.   25 Mar 2008 to 4 Apr 2008.  Go to http://www.jazzfestivalnz.com/

Paul Potts World Tour 2008

With Paul Potts new album One Chance recently debuting Number One in both the UK and New Zealand, audiences will be lucky enough to hear the man himself when he tours throughout the country in April 2008.  6 Apr 2008 8pm - Christchurch Town Hall Auditorium, Kilmore Street, Christchurch. Book at Ticketek

If you have any information to go in the next newsletter, please e-mail me at k.keehan@xtra.co.nz or ring 03-3522106. Cheers, Jody

Canterbury Musical Parenting Association Inc.
Newsletter February 2008

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING

NB change of venue!!
Wednesday 20^th February 2008 in the Chapel at the Christchurch School of Music. Barbadoes St. Next to the Catholic Cathedral.

7.30-7.45pm      CMPA Library open (Meet in the Chapel. We may need to go down the hall to the Library). Kathy and Ursula will help you find what you need.

7.45 - 9pm        ‘Summer Fun’ Sharing Session - Summer songs and developing ideas for using natural materials as musical instruments eg: gum nuts, leaves, shells.  Let’s share ideas to help children develop listening and sensory perspective of the world.   

Members free. $2 for non-members
Coming up - March meeting is our AGM, followed by a sharing session

WORKDAY

A huge “Thank you very much” to Bev, Julie W, Julie G, Linda, Kathy, Dorothea, Veronica and Jody for spending 3-4 hours at the beginning of February going through our library and making sure everything is in good condition.  A full list of resources available for hire can be viewed on our website in the Members Login area.

CMPA COMMITTEE MEETING

The committee will meet on Monday night 18^th Feb 7.30pm at Julie Wylie’s home.  Agenda is:

• Kidsfest
• New Logo confirmed after consultation process closed
• Approval for spending on instrument repairs and replacements
• Suzie & Phil workshop in April/May
• Muse membership
• Proposal to run Musical, Parenting concerts, 1 per term
• General business

WORKSHOPS/CONCERTS

“Creative Music and Movement Education” Level 1 and 2 Course in Orff Schulwerk. 

Suzie Davies-Splitter, Sarah Brooke and Celia Stewart will present these 2 courses, running simultaneously from Monday 28^th April to Saturday 3^rd May at the University Of Canterbury, Wheki 302 Dovedale Ave campus.  Each day will run from 8.45 to 5.45pm.

Applications close 14^th March.  

The 2008 Festival of Flowers will run from the 22nd of Feb to the 1st of March.

• Nearly 20 meters of Floral Carpet will unfurl under the tender care of local floral aficionados in ChristChurch Cathedral. The carpet designed by Jan Leaper will be titled “Praise for the Sweetness of the Wet Garden”. Guitar and harp solos and jazz groups will provide a musical background to viewing the floral displays at various times.
• Heralding the Festival of Flowers from Fri 15th - Tue 19th February is “Appassionata”- Choral and Floral - Wildly Romantic. As the name implies, Jenny Gillies Wearable Flowers Extravaganza for 2008 presents the new face of wearable costume and fabric art featuring the passion of romantic flowers entwined with blooms, wild and magic. Set to an original score by acclaimed Canterbury composer Hamish Oliver, the performance will be one of the first to be presented in the Christchurch Cathedral using its new sound and lighting installations.

Dancing Under The Stars - Crosbie Park, Avonhead.  Friday 29 February 2008.    Watch the demonstrations then let the professionals teach you some moves. Get your family and friend together for a wonderful evenings entertainment. Pack a bite to eat or take advantage of the on site food stalls.

Culture Galore!   Ray Blank Park, Maidstone Rd Saturday, 15 March 2008 from 12-4pm.

Celebrate the colourful cultural diversity of our community. The festival will feature performances from over 50 different cultural groups. This will be complemented by children’s activities like a Bouncy Castle, Rock Climbing and Face Painting. You can tempt your senses and delight your tastebuds with the huge array of exotic smells and flavours to sample and purchase throughout the day.

Chamber Music NZ present the Eggner Trio

Tuesday 25^th March, 8pm at  James Hay Theatre. We are pleased to bring back 2006 audience favourites, the Eggner Trio. The three brothers, based in Vienna, are famed for their “musically impassioned togetherness”.   Book at Ticketek

If you want to see fantastic Chamber Music this year, or can help with piano page turning, please let Jody know.  

If you have any information to go in the next newsletter, please e-mail me at

k.keehan@xtra.co.nz or ring 03-3522106. Cheers, Jody

Newsletter December 2007
NEXT MONTHLY MEETING
Thursday, 13th December, 7pm at The Coffee House for Coffee, Wine, desert and a catch-up chat!

Monthly meetings resume again on Wednesday 20th February 2008 in the Trinty Room at the Christchurch School of Music. Barbadoes St. Next to the Catholic Cathedral.

7.30-7.45pm CMPA Library open
7.45 - 9pm ‘Summer Fun’ Sharing Session - Summer songs and developing ideas for using natural materials as musical instruments eg: gum nuts, leaves, shells. Let’s share ideas to help children develop listening and sensory perspective of the world.

Members free. $2 for non-members

LIBRARY

The library is open at 7.30pm before each monthly meeting.
Kathy Cairns and Ursula Salzer will be happy to help you sort out your borrowing needs.

WORKDAY

We are going to have a stocktake, repair and sort out of the CMPA library on Saturday 3rd February 2008. If you are able to help please let Jody know. We’ll put on lunch for all.

NEWS and VIEWS

Our last meeting “The Science and Art of Musical Play” presented by Julie, Veronica and Dr Susan Foster was highly successful, with over 60 members and friends filling the Trinity room to capacity. Julie has had several e-mails and calls saying how inspiring the presentation was.

WORKSHOPS/CONCERTS

“Music is Child’s Play” - 50 hour block course with Julie Wylie at Canterbury University starts on 18th January 2008. For more information or to register contact Ali Wegner 3667001 or online at www.universitycanterbury.ac.nz.

“Creative Music and Movement Education” Level 1 and 2 Course in Orff Schulwerk. Suzie Davies-Splitter, Sarah Brooke and Celia Stewart will present these 2 courses, running simultaneously from Monday 28th April to Saturday 3rd May at the University Of Canterbury, Wheki 302 Dovedale Ave campus. Each day will run from 8.45 to 5.45pm.
Applications close 14th March.
If you have any information to go in the next newsletter, please e-mail me at
k.keehan@xtra.co.nz or ring 03-3522106. Cheers, Jody

NEXT MONTHLY MEETING
Wednesday, 21^st November, 7.30pm

Christchurch School of Music. Barbadoes St. Next to the Catholic Cathedral

7.15-7.30pm CMPA Library open

7.30 - 9.30pm “The Science of Musical Play” with Susan Foster-Cohen, Julie Wylie and Veronica Kidd. Looking at the science of musical play from a neurological perspective, knowing how to plan music classes with a view to calming, arousing, calming. Contains important research and clips from Ursula Salzer and Gheeti Roy.

Members free. $2 for non-members
Door code - 33941E

Coming up in December - Coffee and Desert at Curators Cottage

LIBRARY

Please make sure you return library items this meeting. If you will not be there please let Kathy, Ursula or Jody know so we can arrange collection.
WORKDAY
We are going to have a stocktake, repair and sort out of the CMPA library on Saturday 3^rd February 2008. If you are able to help please let Jody know. We’ll put on lunch for all.
CMPA WEBSITE
Our website is down at present. We are working on developing a new website. We will e-mail the details when it’s up and running.

NEWS and VIEWS
Report from the 2^nd National METANZ Hui - from Jody Keehan I was chuffed to be asked to travel up to Wellington on Saturday 27^th October for the METANZ Hui with Veronica. We were there to represent Musical Parenting and Early Childhood Music Education and did so with passion! Music Education Trust Aotearoa New Zealand is an advocacy group set up to bring music education to the notice of Members of Parliament.

All areas of music education were represented with participants from IRMT, MENZA, university, secondary, primary, early childhood (including us), Music therapy, Chamber Music NZ etc. A panel discussion saw Gretchen La Roche from Creative NZ, Peter Walls CEO of the NZSO, Brendan Smyth from NZ On Air and Stephanie Lees Music Manager of the New Zealand Music Commission answer questions such as “if you were given $1,000,000 dollars for music education what would you do with it?”

It was a fantastic networking opportunity and Veronica and I made sure we spoke to as many people as we could about musical parenting and our philosophy.

There were two opportunities for group discussion and we led the discussion around the parents being the greatest asset for all levels of music education. We discussed how parents are the most important advocates when it comes to encouraging schools, community groups and government to pay attention to the importance of Music in any curriculum.

We will report back when we receive the recommendations from the hui.
WORKSHOPS/CONCERTS

“Music is Child’s Play” - 50 hour block course with Julie Wylie at Canterbury University starts on 18^th January 2008. For more information or to register contact Ali Wegner 3667001 or online at www.universitycanterbury.ac.nz.

“Creative Music and Movement Education” Level 1 and 2 Course in Orff Schulwerk. Suzie Davies-Splitter, Sarah Brooke and Celia Stewart will present these 2 courses, running simultaneously from Monday 28^th April to Saturday 3^rd May at the University Of Canterbury, Wheki 302 Dovedale Ave campus. Each day will run from 8.45 to 5.45pm.

See Jody for a brochure. Applications close 14^th March.

“Hansel & Gretel” presented by Movement Dance Centre

Sunday 11^th November at 2pm and 6pm James Hay Theatre.

This show highlights the Jazz and ballet talents of students aged from 3 to 19 years old. Book at Ticketek.

NZ Cup and Show week 8 - 18 November.

Includes the A&P Show

Indian Diwali Fair - Celebrate Diwali - The Festival of Lights, with the Indian community in Christchurch

11 Nov 2007 5:30pm to 9:30pm - Rudolph Steiner School Grounds, Ombersley Terrace, Opawa

Last Night at the Proms - 17 Nov 2007 7.30pm - Christchurch Town Hall Auditorium.

In true British style, the merry songs of Gilbert & Sullivan will have you singing along with the Christchurch Syphony Orchestra. Come and join the Proms goers and sing your heart out with all the old favourites. Book at Ticketek.

“Charming China” is a royal performance show which will bring together leading artists, performers, musicians and players from New Zealand and China. 23 Nov 2007 7pm to Late - Christchurch Town Hall. Book at Ticketek.

Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park - 24 Nov 2007 7.45pm to 10.15pm - Hagley Park North, ChristchurchOver 100,000 people will pack into North Hagley Park for one of the biggest outdoor party in the country, Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park!! Free

“Kids for Kids Christmas” presented by World Vision, featuring Suzanne Prentice. Town Hall auditorium 26^th to 28^th November 7.30pm. Book at Ticketek.

“60^th Anniversary Smiths City Christchurch Santa Parade” Sunday 2^nd December, 2pm. Starting at Moorhouse Ave, the parade travels up Colombo Street to finish near Cranmer Square. Free.

“AFFIRM” Aranui Family Festival - 1 Dec 2007 10am to 4am - Wainoni Park 37 Hampshire Street Christchurch

A celebration of families, culture and fun. A time to showcase local telent and enjoy the diversity of our Aranui Community.

If you have any information to go in the next newsletter, please e-mail me at

k.keehan@xtra.co.nz or ring 03-3522106. Cheers, Jody