Band Factory tunes up tomorrow's groups
LISA HONEYBONE
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A group of North Shore kids are finding out what it is like to be in a real rock band.
Thirty-two students from eight different Shore schools are products of this year's Band Factory, an initiative which puts students together to form bands and make music.
It runs on Tuesdays from 6.30pm to 9pm at Albany Senior High School, where it is now into its fourth term.
The musical students, who range from 11-18, come from Rosmini, Westlake, Rangitoto, Long Bay and Orewa colleges, Murrays Bay Intermediate and Albany Junior and Senior High Schools.
They have formed seven bands over the last few weeks as they worked out who they gel with musically.
They are now writing songs in preparation for the Smokefree Rock Quest in May.
Albany Senior High head of performing arts Tim Smith says they are all there because they want to be.
"The kids are walking around feeling positive about their music," he says.
Band Factory was created by Nick Roberts, from Kaipara College, where it is held on Wednesday nights.
He says the programme is a good starting point for students who are determined to make music part of their life.
"They are confident kids who are developing a culture of healthy competition," he says.
"They can learn to put the same passion they have for music into other aspects of their life, too."
Band Factory makes use of the school's top new facilities and is run in a casual atmosphere where students can get help from five tutors, one of whom is musician Johnny Jackson, who toured with Jordan Luck.
Mr Roberts says Mr Jackson has been inspirational to the music students.
He has been helping them with their song-writing and giving them an idea of what it is like to tour with a band.
"They didn't have this kind of thing in my day," Mr Jackson says. "If they did, my song-writing could have been better."
To find out more about Band Factory, send an email to Tim Smith attsmith@ashs.school.nz.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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