Helensville schools hit the right note to win Pianos

Christmas came early for the students of 10 Helensville schools after Huawei New Zealand donated 10 brand new pianos to the community. The donations was part of the 100 Piano Project Huaweiannounced in collaboration with the Play It Strange trust earlier in the year.

Nick Roberts the Deputy Principal from Kaipara College is a big fan on music, and has driven the programme at his school. His hard work paid off, when 10 brand new pianos arrived at the school hall along with local MP Chris Penk and former Split Enz musician Mike Chunn, whose Play It Strange Trust is partnering with Huawei New Zealand.

Huawei, the world’s biggest telecommunication equipment and mobile phone manufacturer, and Play It Strange launched the Project offering 100 pianos to New Zealand schools to inspire creativity and imagination through music. To win one of the 100 pianos, the school only need submit a song, dance, short story, poem, play or mural that included a piano in the subject matter.

Kaipara College, Helensville School, Kaukapakapa School, Parakai School, Waimauku School, Woodhill School, Waioneke School, Riverhead School, Huapai District School, Wainui School, each received a brand new Pearl River Piano, handed over by the new MP for Helensville, Chris Penk on December 8 2017.

Huawei New Zealand Director of Public Affairs, Andrew Bowater, said at the ceremony that the 100 Piano Project was about inspiring the imaginations and creativity of young New Zealanders.

“As one of the largest technology companies in the world, Huawei, is committed to heavily investing in innovation, including here in New Zealand by partnering with local universities on research projects. But Huawei also wants to ensure the next generation of Kiwi kids is creative in their thinking and continue to push the boundaries.

“Music is a great way for kids to be creative while also helping with their learning. There is so much technology in today’s world, but it is still so important that we expose the next generation to music and the opportunities it can open up.

“We hope that this donation will help Kiwi kids achieve even more academically while also embracing the future world of smart technology by encouraging them to be imaginative through the playing and creation of music.”

Mike Chunn, CEO of Play It Strange said “The piano is a great foundation instrument. It brings melody, chords, rhythm all together and provides a song writing template like no other. It is wonderful that Huawei has the vision that parallels this and 100 pianos will be heading to primary and intermediate schools later in the year. Our Play It Strange ‘100 Piano Project’ competition is a creative one and we believe many entries will come in. It’s an exciting time!”

Kaipara Deputy Principal , Nick Roberts, said “Music is BIG at Kaipara College, and it is truly amazing these local schools will receive a brand new piano from Huawei, that’s very generous. Our students have so much potential and talent and will hopefully be inspired further with these pianos. I am certain that many students will embrace these and shine even brighter.”

The 100 Pianos Project is still open, schools can apply through the Play it Strange website by submitting an application that demonstrates how the School will use it to drive creativity in their learning. The website is www.playitstrange.org.nz/100-piano-project .