Two local high schools from the Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board area, Ōtāhuhu College and Southern Cross Campus, will be battling to take out the Auckland Council’s Stand Up Stand Out Showcase.
Stand Up Stand Out (SUSO) is Auckland’s premier music, and dance competition, featuring secondary-school talent from across Tāmaki Makaurau competing in five categories: dance, solo instrumental, group vocal, solo vocal and bands.
Manukau ward councillor Lotu Fuli says, "Stand Up Stand Out is a wonderful regional event that celebrates the musical talents of our rangatahi from across our beautiful city - Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
“SUSO is a great way to showcase young talent and provide a platform for our future music stars. We have seen many previous SUSO finalists go on to pursue careers in the arts.
“This year again, we have strong competitors from my Manukau Ward. I am looking forward to cheering on all the artists, but I'll cheer a little louder for the students from Aorere, Papatoetoe, De La Salle, Southern Cross Campus and Otahuhu Colleges - all schools I have a strong affinity with and connection to.
“All the best to all the schools, students and families involved. Karawhuia - Give it heaps!"
Māngere-Ōtāhuhu Local Board chair Tauanu’u Nick Bakulich and the board acknowledged the efforts of these students in their recent September business meeting.
“How wonderful is it that our rangatahi from Ōtāhuhu College and Southern Cross Campus have their skills highlighted on a regional level. They have a fantastic chance to showcase their unique local flavour, particularly in the categories each of our schools are finalists in – our students are featured in four out of the five categories, and we’re backing them all the way.”
Over 1200 students from 25 schools have competed in a series of heats and semi-finals over the past six weeks.
SUSO judge and recent Pacific Music Awards winner Sam V is looking forward to seeing the new talent that is unearthed as part of the competition’s evolution. This year, there are two new prizes awarded – ‘Best Artist’ and ‘Best Original Composition’.
“‘These categories encourage our young people to be innovative and bold in their creative decisions”, he says.
Stand Up Stand Out is an Auckland Council initiative, in partnership with Auckland Live, Rockshop and Auckland UNESCO City of Music. The programme is an important development pathway, promoting songwriting, dance performance excellence and a culture of music within Auckland schools.
The total pool of prizes will be split between acts placing first and second in each of the five categories and consists of gear and vouchers from Rockshop, mentoring from industry professionals, studio hire, and time with music producers to record a track.
The Finals Showcase takes place on Saturday 23 September at Auckland Town Hall from 3pm and is open to the public. Tickets are available through Auckland Live.
Finalists for Stand Up Stand Out 2023 in our area:
Dance Finalists
|
Name |
School |
|
Resets |
Ōtāhuhu College |
Solo Instrumental Finalists
|
Name |
School |
|
Petelo Saia |
Southern Cross Campus |
Group Vocal Finalists
|
Name |
School |
|
Magnique |
Ōtāhuhu College |
Read the full article of Stand Up Stand Out Finals Showcase here.
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