Band formed from Resource Centre

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 5, Issue 2, 9 June 1987, Page 9

Band formed from Resource Centre

The Waimarino Resource Centre and its TAPS programmes are proving to be highly successful, with the latest success story being the formation of a band. Music teacher Moses Chase formed the group known as 'Waiata Whanau', or 'music family', through his association with the Resource Centre. His involvement with bands dates back to when he was 10 years old. The band members are all students of his present music module. All members get together every day to practice and have been doing so for the last 2-3 months. Mr Chase said he is aiming to teach the students the fundamentals of music and wants the group to be successful in their own right. Waiata Whanau' made their debut at the Raetihi Primary School last Wednesday, to an appreciative audience of children, teachers and parents. The group played songs of all kinds including a blues song with a reggae beat and a number by Dire Straits. They were well received by the audience.

Mr Chase's music module has been in progress for just four months and in the beginning there were virtually no musicians in the group besides himself and drummer Jerry Chase. Mr Chase who teaches piano, guitar and drums, soon had an accomplished bass player and a guitarist.

Vocalists Natalie Arahanga, Henry Morgan and Moses add their touch to the band's special brand of music. Back-up vocals are provided by Maria Richards, with 'Ginger' Pue on the guitar. Mr Chase said the band have already been

approached to play outside Raetihi and will be appearing in the Waimarino in the near future. He plans to take the group to a recording studio soon, to let them see first hand the workings of the recording business. Mr Chase said the members of the band are keen to carry on to an advanced music course once the present course finishes at the end of this month. He will be taking on another group of students in July and will also be tutoring the advanced class.