Christchurch Symphony Orchestra – Platform Programme
Project Background
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in partnership with the Department of Corrections (Christchurch Men’s Prison and Pathway Trust), provide an eight-week music programme supporting Tū Ora (inmates) as they prepare to be released from prison as part of a reintegration initiative into the community.
The Platform Programme was designed to connect with people who might otherwise not have an experience with a symphony orchestra, particularly groups that are under-represented in the community. Over the duration of the programme, musicians with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra teach participants how to read music, play various instruments, learn a variety of compositions and co-design a concert programme.
The programme is complete with a final performance to a wide audience that includes Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, Corrections and Pathway Trust staff, external stakeholders, whānau and friends of Tū Ora.
“I want to thank everybody involved, especially everyone from the orchestra for coming here to help us, challenge us … I relate it to food. Food brings a lot of people together and then after you eat it’s a nice feeling of fulfilment and that’s what music does for me. It has brought a lot of people together from different walks of life, different cultures and backgrounds and at the end of it they are all fulfilled with this different life. They’ve learned something new … I want to encourage them to keep doing this. It’s a beautiful thing.”
— Tū Ora
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