Joys of festive music

Friday, 11 December 2009

By JACKIE RUSSELL

DIVERSITY: Some of the pupils from Pakuranga's Korean school performed at Metlifecare Highlands retirement village. Photo supplied.

• Howick and Pakuranga TimesStudents from a Korean school took a break from their regular Saturday classes at Edgewater College and performed for residents at Metlifecare Highlands retirement village in Highland Park. Hannah Kim, the school’s administrator, says some residents were moved to tears as the students sang traditional carols in Korean.“They also sang the national anthem in English and Pokarekare Ana in Maori, which the residents sang along with,” says Miss Kim.“They were emotional about the experience. Some hugged the students and cried. It was a moving, sweet gesture.”Some of the youngsters also played instruments such as flutes and cellos, as well as traditional Korean instruments.“The teachers wanted to give the students more confidence. “They really wanted them to practice more and perform in front of people.”The students, who are aged from eight to 13, learn the intricacies of language and cultural heritage at the Korean school.The Korean Government provides text books and the children cover a curriculum that’s different to what they do in regular Kiwi classrooms.The students come from diverse backgrounds.Some are new to New Zealand, while others are from families who have been in Aotearoa for many generations.This was the school’s first concert, and the pupils are enthusiastic about performing in hospitals and retirement homes in the future.

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Joys of festive music