In Wellington city, on the evening of Wednesday 2 October, Bedlam & Squalor was filled with good classical vibes at the final Racket Lounge session of the year. The Racket Lounge was a new project aimed at giving up-and-coming classical and jazz musicians a space to experiment with the music they want to play. It was curated and facilitated by Mana Waiariki, a talented violinist and recent graduate of the New Zealand School of Music - Te Kōkī, who worked alongside the NZSQ Trust staff to bring the series to life.
Mana takes a look back on the series and shares some of her personal highlights.
As the final session of The Racket Lounge concluded this week, I am reflecting on the whirlwind of a year that followed my graduation from the New Zealand School of Music. Creating and spearheading a concert series was not on my radar at the beginning of the year, but here we are- and it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience.
I was given invaluable support throughout my studies and being in the position to give back through The Racket Lounge has been deeply fulfilling. Beyond my passion for supporting the arts, the series gave me the chance to build meaningful connections with talented performers, many of whom I’m grateful to call my friends.
One of the most rewarding aspects of The Racket Lounge has been seeing how it’s brought together such a diverse audience and fostered cross-genre collaborations! It’s exciting to watch classical music, jazz, and original compositions being enjoyed in a casual setting by people from all over. This series made it clear that music can, and should, be accessible to everyone, whether you’re a seasoned concert goer or someone who simply loves the atmosphere of live music in a bar.
I feel very lucky that my first big project in arts management was with the New Zealand String Quartet Trust. Big love goes out to Aislinn for her guidance, Charlie for her artistic support, and Tyler for her creative ideas- they have supported me every step of the way with a big smile. Chris Buckland and the team at Bedlam & Squalor not only provided a venue but fostered an environment where creative expression could thrive. It has been a haven for young, emerging artists in Pōneke.
While my involvement with the NZSQ Trust and The Racket lounge is coming to an end, I am excited to see how it continues to grow under new leadership. I am grateful to have been a part of the foundation of this concert series, and I am thrilled to see the fresh ideas and new heights it will reach in 2025 and beyond!
Across four concerts, The Racket Lounge:
Entertained over 250 audience members
Presented 52 artists
40 past and present students from the New Zealand School of Music
12 experienced professional musicians from the New Zealand String Quartet, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, and the Royal New Zealand AirForce Band
Presented 7 new pieces of music composed by emerging Wellington composers
Showcased 4 different performance genres
Classical
Jazz
Pop
Spoken Word
Comments