Capital E Music Technology Conference

Media release: Chief reporters, arts reporters
17 April 2003

Capital E Hosts International Music Technology Conference

Capital E SoundHouse New Zealand is hosting an international conference of music educators this month – the SoundHouse Music Alliance Symposium 2003.

Representatives from the music industry and 36 SoundHouse facilities – music and multi-media technology facilities for young people - will attend the three-day conference from 26-28 April at Capital E in Wellington.

Invited to host the 2003 conference last year, Capital E SoundHouse New Zealand is seen as an exciting role model for the conference theme ‘Exploring Multi-Media With Children’.

Wellington Mayor Kerry Prendergast says initiatives like Capital E SoundHouse New Zealand are key to realising the success of Wellington’s "Creative Wellington – Innovation Capital" vision to drive the city's future economic growth.

"Wellington is already a leader in creativity and innovation. We’re seeking to build on that with fantastic creative initiatives like the Capital E SoundHouse. This facility has earned international recognition from music educators and industry members for its work with children,” Mayor Prendergast says.

“Embracing and developing creativity in young Wellingtonians is a commendable move that can only enhance the Capital's flare for creativity and innovation and take our city forward."

Since opening in 2001 as New Zealand’s first SoundHouse, the facility has developed unique programmes allowing thousands of students all over the country to explore their creative potential using state-of-the-art sound and vision technology.

Capital E acting director Stuart Grant said the original vision was to bring the SoundHouse concept to New Zealand and shape it to meet the needs of young New Zealanders.

“With this initial stage so successfully completed, the upcoming conference is an opportunity to share our innovations with the international SoundHouse community and to inspire and advise potential programme providers throughout our own country.”
SoundHouse is part of the Capital E creative technology and performance centre for children, which includes a television production studio and the National Theatre for Children. It is managed by the Wellington Museums Trust with major funding support from the Wellington City Council.

A major attraction for conference organisers is Capital E’s SoundHouse scholarship programme, designed by SoundHouse manager Carl Rayner.

It is the first of its kind in the SoundHouse Music Alliance network and sets an example of how these facilities can allow young people to maximise their creative potential.

The programme offers students the opportunity to develop their talents in music, dance and production working in the professional environment of SoundHouse. They receive free production time, support and expert advice on everything from writing and recording songs to pop videos and album covers.

Capital E’s success has inspired other organisations in New Zealand with the Rotorua Principals Association poised to open a SoundHouse facility this year and Auckland’s MoTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology) and the Otago Museum making plans.

For more information on the SoundHouse Music Alliance Symposium 2003 and Capital E SoundHouse New Zealand contact:

Capital E acting director
Stuart Grant 04 913-3734 stuart@capitale.org.nz

Capital E Marketing Manager
Brett Mason 04 913-3724 brett@capitale.org.nz

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