History

The Kapi-Mana Music Teachers’ Association has been in existence since the 1970’s.  For twenty of those years it revolved around Tawa.  The Tawa music teachers worked together for the good of their students.  An AGM was held at the beginning of each year and at this was planned the activities for the year.  A number of combined concerts were held each year in one of the churches in Tawa.  This enabled music teachers to provide a performance platform for their more able students in a friendly environment.

A major event was undertaken each year, such as competition or seminar which involved a wider cross-section of the music community and many families.  The Tawa music Centre, based at the Tawa Intermediate School became involved in these bigger events. 

The rebuilding of Pataka in Porirua gave the Association a venue for public concerts and a mid-ground between Ngaio and Pukerua Bay.  The grand piano and community Meeting Room at Pataka allowed the Association to have more formal events. 

From 2001-2004 a major Porirua Classical Music and Fine Arts Festival was held at Pataka.  Also small concerts (6 per year) were arranged in the Community Room (now the Helen Smith room).

In 2005 the members elected to have a ‘more-scaled down approach’ opting to meet annually for the AGM in February and to run music competitions in the hall of Bishop Viard College, Porirua.  These music competitions have been arranged to encourage all students to enter giving them the opportunity to perform in public in a friendly, supportive environment.

In 2009 the Competitions were held in the Theatre, Te Rauparaha Arena, Porirua and will be held in that venue in 4th and 5th September 2010.