The Arts bring communities together and none more so than being a member of the Kapiti Concert Orchestra and its off-shoot Kapiti Light Orchestra. Keen musicians from Foxton to the Hutt Valley attend weekly rehearsals in Paekakariki despite long distances to travel. They are attracted to this community orchestra because it plays several roles where everyone can happily fit in. It provides a warm and welcoming environment for students to gain orchestral skills, opportunities to play a wide ranging repertoire, those wanting to return to playing and where newcomers can give it a go. Local Ōtaki and Te Horo musicians Angela, Mary, Fran and Suzanne are long serving and valuable members of KCO. They also contribute significantly to their community, teaching tamariki or taking part in local musical productions.
Angela, a local vet, has been principal clarinettist in the orchestra since it began in 2004. “I love being part of a team and playing in the middle of a 50 piece orchestra on concert day. It is an amazing experience. I particularly enjoy our concerts in Otaki as the audience is so appreciative.” Angela also plays bass and Eb clarinets and saxophone venturing into the 'dark side' with the “Brasso” jazz ensemble. For this “KCO SALUTES The 40’s” concert 11th November at the Otaki Memorial Hall, Angela will be in her element playing both clarinet and saxophone.
Second violinist and percussionist Fran moved to New Zealand from the UK in 2011. From many years spent as a Warrant Officer in the Women's Royal Army Corp Staff Band in England as a percussionist - which was the only all female military band in the world, Fran has enjoyed being able to pick up playing the violin again for KCO and also doubling as a percussionist. “I spend one day a week with our wonderful tamariki, passing on my knowledge and love of music to school children. I also enjoy playing percussion for local and professional theatre groups. Music in all its genres has been my life's passion.” With the orchestra’s final concert of the year at Otaki’s Memorial Hall Fran will be centre stage on her drum kit and swinging to the 40’s big band music.
Mary's association with KCO began first as a supporter and business sponsor. The long standing shortage of string players, particularly violinists, meant it was not long before she was encouraged to pick up the violin again after a long absence. She joined the orchestra as a player in 2016 after retiring to rural Ōtaki. “The geography of the Kāpiti region makes it a challenge bringing an orchestra together. Rehearsing in Paekakariki and having the principal concert venue in Raumati makes for a bit of a journey for Ōtaki players, but car pooling eases the concern for the planet. We are always pleased to do an Ōtaki concert and support Civic Theatre productions.” Mary and her partner have contributed significantly to the Otaki community in providing instruments for tamariki.
Growing up in North Yorkshire, music has always been in Suzanne’s life. Starting at the age of seven she has had many years experience playing the cello in England. Suzanne unequivocally says “Music is my life-line. It puts me in a different place, different space. It’s not work, it’s not being Mum - just being me!” She is not only principal cellist with KCO but a professional piano tuner that takes her all over the region to the Manawatu, Rangitikei, Wellington and the Wairarapa. She learned her craft in London where she met husband Dave. He too is a piano tuner and an electric bass player in the “Liberty Swing Band”. Suzanne, Dave and their three daughters have been in New Zealand since 2006. “Every day is different!” says Suzanne. Being a member of KCO helps to make it so, especially because this forthcoming concert “KCO SALUTES the 40’s” features a different style of music introduced by Artie Shaw’s Big Band when he visited New Zealand to entertain American Marines stationed in Paekakariki during WWII.