The joy of coming together2 min read
Reading Time: 2 minutesJosh Jones, musician and former front-man of 1980’s UK band, The Quads, has been working on a musical project at Te Papapa Primary School.Having taught ukelele lessons at the school in the past, he contacted them to ask for help with the production of a Christmas song.
The Christchurch mosque attack was the inspiration behind the new song, This is the Day, (Te Rangimarie). It is an original song and video, and was composed to represent diversity in New Zealand, with the hope of it being shared on television and the radio to spread a positive message. Josh says, “Christchurch rewrote the script about how we respond to the forces of hatred and division. I wanted to celebrate all the wonderful and diverse communities that came together in the bonds of love.”
School choir teacher, Tiffany Driver, was up for the challenge. She gathered ten of her best students who shared a natural talent for singing. They practiced the chorus for weeks in advance, and dedicated their school holiday time to perfecting the lines. The final song edit was produced, using Josh’s vocals, the school’s soloist voices, and the school choir.
The excited students were treated to an exclusive experience – travelling to singer and song writer Nathan King’s studio in Epsom, to record the final track in a professional studio. Josh and his camera crew filmed the accompanying music video the following week, which featured pupils singing and dancing in their cultural wear, capturingthe school’s diversity and spirit.
Josh says, “I love their natural spirit of music and harmony. It was such a privilege to be part of it. The song and video needed to express the joy of coming together, and the kids did this brilliantly. The energy and spirit is beautiful to hear and see.”
Their next step is to approach television and radio networks, with the goal to have the song on radio and television in time for Christmas.
(Te Papapa students Helen Taratu, Braxton Tupouniua and Hinemoa Cassidy)
