Tete Kura (Fern Frond)

About

The title Tete Kura represents "fern frond" [from the Maori saying :"Mate atu he tetekura, ara mai he tetekura", and this is a work about journey and growth dedicated to the youth of New Zealand. Tete Kura takes the shape of a "Hohou Rongo", a process of reconciliation, where issues of pain and injustice are brought into the open, in order to restore people's inner dignity and to bring about true peace. It opens with an expression of te taha wairua of two Aotearoa cultures (Karanga and Gregorian Chant "Veni Sancte Spiritus"), then a journey away from te taha wairua and te taha aroha towards greed and materialism (Corporate Beat, Haka). This leads to experiences of pain, confusion and abuse (I Crave That Place, Waiata Tangi), out of which come insights, hope and a sense of self-worth (Kia Hoatu He Tumanaako, Karakia ki te Wairua Tapu), to embrace energetically and enthusiastically the questions and challenges of the new millenium: about individuals-in-community, and social and cultural values based on te aroha and te taha wairua (Nga Porowhita Aroha). Tete Kura is a bicultural, collaborative composition for choir, kapa haka, kai-karanga and solo soprano and tenor. The music was composed by Helen Fisher, Ngapo and Pimia Wehi and Taru mai-i-tawhiti Kerehoma. The lyrics were written by Ngapo and Pimia Wehi, John Greally, Oriini Kaipara, Helen Fisher, as well as including some biblical extracts. Tete Kura was performed by Te Waka Huia and the New Zealand Youth Choir for the Wellington Youth Arts 2000 Festival, being funded by a project grant from Creative New Zealand Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa.