Speech
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Young Achievers Concert
May I commence by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand - English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language.
Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the afternoon (Sign)
May I then specifically acknowledge you: Alex Baker, President of the APO Guild; Barbara Glaser, Chief Executive of the APO; APO Young Achievers and their Mentors; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen. Can I also acknowledge the absence through a call of duty overseas of APO Chairperson, Roseanne Meo.
It is with great pleasure that my wife Susan and I welcome you to Government House Auckland this afternoon for this concert by the APO Young Achievers and their Mentors.
I would like to take an opportunity to briefly outline the importance of young people becoming involved in the arts and the work of the APO in supporting that endeavour.
Like all forms of art, music can inspire a range of emotions. But unlike literature, which speaks both to the heart and the head, music speaks almost entirely to the heart. It can make us laugh or cry and it can sometimes make us angry. Those emotions can run to fever pitch as, for example, at the premiere of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring in 1913 during which a riot broke out among the patrons.
It seems that in every generation there is much musing about what is often described as "the youth problem." That discussion invariably involves a lot of smoke and not a lot of light. As in art, young people test the edges because of their energy, vitality and the desire to question much of that which has gone before.
What an initiative such as the APO Young Achievers Programme provides is an opportunity for young people to test their abilities to the fullest and channel their energy, while supported by experienced mentors. Some are supported in exploring their ability as performers and others in their ability as composers.
My predecessor as Governor-General, Lord Cobham, made this point well in a speech to the Wellington Competitions Society in 1960 when he said:
"There is an old saying: 'Take care of the apprentices, and the master-craftsmen will take care of themselves.' This is true of everything but particularly true of music and painting. An apprentice is one who is learning—and the humble artist is always learning. The great Monet painted a haystack eighty-three times before he was satisfied. Giardini, asked how long he took to learn the violin said: 'Twelve hours a day for 20 years.'"
Learning is of course a process that never ends and I feel sure that the mentors may have learnt as much from the young achievers as the young achievers have from their mentors.
The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra is to be congratulated for the wide range of educational programmes it offers. They not only keep music alive in the region, but also offer young people the opportunity to aspire to great things. From scholarships, internships and competitions to such things as percussion days and support for schools - the breadth of the programme is significant.
The APO, for example, has appointed its first Young Composer-in-Residence, Karlo Margetic. Susan and I had the opportunity to hear Karlo's intriguing work, Belt Sander, performed by the NZSO National Youth Orchestra in August.
The musicians you will hear this afternoon are, simply put, the crme de la crme of young players in Auckland. I am sure you will agree that with the quality of these "apprentices" that we can be assured of a great future for our "master craftsmen."
To the young players, to the mentors, to the players families and friends who have supported them, to the APO and its sponsors, I say the traditional word: "Bravo." In the words of Kiwi musician, Neil Finn: "Don't dream it's over."
On that note—no pun intended—I'll close in Maori by issuing greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours.
No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa