Tāmaki Makaurau is one of 59 UNESCO Cities of Music, which means that Auckland Council and the music sector work together to make even more beautiful music. There are music hubs across the region where you can get your jam on, whether that’s learning an instrument, recording a track or shaking your booty to cool tunes. In fact, feel the beat and embrace your inner musician at these three venues.
OMAC
Ōtara Music Arts Centre (OMAC) has been pumping out sounds of South Auckland for 36 years. Many well-known musicians cut their musical teeth here, including Brenda Makamoeafi and Hassanah Iroegbu from Sisters Underground who wrote and performed the hit song “In the Neighbourhood”.
The venue is funded by Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board and is just one of two local government-funded community facilities in the country with an industry-standard professional recording studio. It’s also home to youth development programme Sistema Aotearoa and the annual Stand Up Stand Out (SUSO) music and dance competition for Auckland secondary students.
School groups (a maximum of 30 students) can book the OMAC Sound Lab for daytime or weekend sessions, while community groups, choirs, school groups, bands and individual musicians can book the Village Recording Studio.
You can also attend music lessons in guitar, bass, drums, singing, and piano/keyboard for very competitive rates.
Te Oro Music and Arts Centre
Multipurpose Glen Innes community space Te Oro was gifted its name by Ngāti Pāoa with the endorsement of Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei. Fittingly for a music and dance centre, ‘oro’ means the tonal reverberation or echo of sound within a chamber, and among other interpretations.
As well as offering music lessons in guitar and ukulele, Te Oro also has a professional recording studio and open recording studios, which are available to community groups, choirs, school groups, bands and individual musicians.
Clinton Hewett, Place Manager at Te Oro, says, “We’re happy to have these spaces available for community grassroots artists who can begin or establish their careers here.”
For those who love moving their body to music, Te Oro also runs classes for a range of styles, from K-pop and hip hop to Cook Islands and Pacific dance. Holiday programmes run by groups like Projekt Team offer rangatahi (youth) the chance to learn a fusion of contemporary and culturally inspired styles.
Check out Te Oro’s website or Facebook page to stay up to date with what’s on offer.
Te Oro was designed in consultation with the community and features artworks by three mana whenua artists. The name Te Oro refers to the sound of the wind through local maunga Maungarei / Mt Wellington.
Te Manawa
Looking to amplify your solo artistry or podcasting prowess? Make your way to Te Manawa in Westgate and book the sleek small studio for your recording sessions.
Boasting two dual-control recording rooms equipped with mics, sound dampening walls and Logic Pro, this space is your ticket to affordable recording at just $40.80 per hour. Plus, if you're a regular or part of a community group, there are great discounts available for you.
Don't miss out, click here for an equipment list and booking information.
Join a music group at a library or community centre
If you’d like to jam with members of your community, many Auckland Council Libraries and community centres run ukulele groups. Titirangi Library and Sandringham Community Centre both run regular ukulele classes. To find music groups and events near you, search here or check out your local library’s Facebook page.
Sandringham Community Centre has a free ukulele group that meets every week.
