Ex-MAINZ Students feature among 2010 Music Awards finalists
In 2009 The Midnight Youth and other acts with MAINZ connections featured among the winners at the music awards and it looks likely that there will similar results this year. Three members of popular band The Naked and the Famous, Karel Chabera from The Checks, Gin Wigmore, and Joel Little (label owner and co-writer of Kids of 88 hits ‘My House’ and ‘Just a Little Bit’) are among the ex-MAINZ students who feature prominently in this year’s Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards finalists.
Current students are also involved with various aspects of the music awards. Diploma in Contemporary Music Performance student Mel Tamanikaiyaroi is composing and producing the theme and some incidental music for the show and live television broadcast. It is an excellent opportunity for her to work with industry professionals at C4 and Satellite Television and she can submit the work as course assessments. Other students are working for the event producers and at the Recording Industry Association of NZ (RIANZ), who are the awards hosts.
MAINZ Open Night/Day
Prizes/Live Band Recording Session/Pro Tools Demonstrations
Auckland Open Day
1.00pm - 4.00pm
Saturday 18 September
150 Victoria Street, Auckland
Christchurch Open Night
7.00pm - 9.00pm
Thursday 16 September
191 High Street, City
MAFA is the MAINZ Alumni Association. MAFA was set up by a group of ex students to provide MAINZ alumni with social and industry networking opportunities. MAFA is an official committee and has two sub committees based in Auckland and Christchurch.
MAFA had their third event since the initiation of the association. This was a joint event on Thursday 15th July with a Skype connection between performances.
Christchurch’s event was held at Goodbye Blue Monday and Auckland’s was held at the Bacco Room.
In Christchurch there was an array of performances from musicians and DJs; all alumni. There were also presentations from industry guests; whom gave their insights of working in the music industry in an informative and enlightening fashion. Tim Baird from CHART (Christchurch Music Organisation, Simon Williamson from RDU 98.5FM and Ben Edwards from local production house The Sitting Room all presented during the evening.
There was a good turn out from alumni, current students, industry and MAINZ staff.
Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards
MAINZ AND THE VODAFONE NZ MUSIC AWARDS: A PERFECT FIT
The involvement of MAINZ in this year’s Vodafone NZ Music Awards is a “perfect fit” and evidence that the industry is increasingly recognising MAINZ as an important player in the New Zealand music industry, says MAINZ director and Hello Sailor guitarist Harry Lyon.
“It’s an acknowledgement by the local music industry that what we’re doing, nurturing the talent of tomorrow, is a worthy and worthwhile undertaking and that we’re doing our job really well.”
MAINZ has naming rights to the two technical awards – MAINZ Engineer of the Year and MAINZ Producer of the Year.
“The Awards celebrate Kiwi music and excellence in Kiwi music which is what we’re about,” says Lyon. “We’re trying to develop the skills and attitude in our students that will allow them to one day be the ones up on stage receiving an award. And increasingly, that’s what MAINZ alumni are doing. “Of the 30 nominees for 2009 Album of the Year, for example, seven had a MAINZ connection, which is pretty good.
On a practical level, MAINZ students are involved the production of the awards show, which is being held at the Vector Arena in Auckland on 7th October and broadcast live on C4.
“We’ve got students working on the various music tracks they need for the show, such as the ‘presenter stings’ and the theme music.”
A student from MAINZ’s Music Event Management programme is on work experience with the organisers and other MAINZ students will be involved with sound, lights and the OB vans on the night.
“It’s fantastic; the students are so excited to have this opportunity.”
As well as the main event on 7th October, MAINZ will be involved with the Finalist Showcase in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, as the awards hit the road for the first time in their 46 year history.
Winners of the MAINZ Engineer of the Year Award and MAINZ Producer of the Year Award will be announced on 1st September:
The main VNZMA awards night is being held at the Vector Arena in Auckland on 7th October and will be live on C4.
