NZ Music Month is a promotion run by the NZ Music Commission that takes place each May, in association with other organisations including NZ On Air, Recorded Music New Zealand, APRA, The Music Managers Forum, Independent Music NZ, and most importantly, the artists themselves.

Waimakariri Libraries are excited to be hosting special events to celebrate NZ Music Month in all three libraries. Our Babytimes, Storytimes, and Toddler Times sessions for preschoolers will all be featuring a musical component during the month of May.

The North Canterbury Academy of Music will present family nights at the libraries, to showcase young musical talent, and Rockers of Ages celebrate the talents of our older adults singing songs from around the world as well as fun and funky tunes from the last five decades in harmony.

During the weekend we showcase creative and dedicated young vocalists and celebrate local talent with the Boulevard Music Group, featuring the next generation of singers and songwriters from North Canterbury.

The Waimakariri District Council Waiata Group will sing each Thursday in the Chamber Gallery and our talented team of librarians are working in schools to promote New Zealand music and our music resources, like our new collection of ukuleles the public can borrow and play at home.

The NZ Music Month celebrations build to a crescendo with a Ukulele Orchestra concert at the Rangiora Town Hall, bringing together students, teachers, and talented members of the public from across the district, for a festive night for the whole family to enjoy New Zealand music.

Our team will also provide an opportunity for members of the public to learn NZ songs at a Ukulele Jam session, to learn how to play a song together at the Ukulele Orchestra concert.

Visitors to the libraries during the month of May can also expect to see music book displays, promotions for Freegal, our free music streaming resource, and melodies amongst the shelves.

Join our month-long celebration of music at the following times and locations:

Waimakariri District Council Waiata Group
Rangiora Library, Thursday 7, 14, 21, 28 May, 1.30pm

North Canterbury Academy of Music
Kaiapoi Library, Thursday 14 May, 5.30pm
Rangiora Library, Friday 15 May, 5.30pm

"Enthuse" Oxford Singing Group
Oxford Town Hall, Saturday 16 May, 11am.

Rockers of Ages
Rangiora Library, Tuesday 19 May 1.30pm

Ukulele Jam Session
Rangiora Library, Thursday 21 May, 2pm

Boulevard Music Group
Oxford Library, Saturday 23 May, 11am

Ukulele Orchestra Concert
Featuring Participating Waimakariri Schools
Rangiora Town Hall, Thursday 28 May, 5.30 – 6.30pm