Leilani Aaron Woodmore, 16, speaks to Bryan Crump about their Compose Aotearoa win. Photo: RNZ
Leilani Aaron Woodmore can't recall a time before music.
"Music is something I grew up with for as long as I can remember.”
Speaking to RNZ Concert Host Bryan Crump Leilani says they began singing with the choir of Wellington's Anglican Cathedral aged six. At the same time Leilani began piano, and improvising at the keyboard was probably the beginning of their creative journey.
Now 16, Leilani is the winner of the Compose Aotearoa competition for best Waiata Tira, or Waiata for a choir, with the Te Reo Māori and Hawaiian inspired piece ‘He Mele a ka Ikaika’.
Despite only putting ideas to paper – in a formal composition sense – in the past year, the results are already impressive.
"My first major composition was a Mass for alto, tenor, and bass vocal trio, the premier of which was shortly after my 16th birthday in January, which I sang with my godfather and my mum".
Other early compositions include a waltz, that isn't quite a waltz (it's in six-eight time rather than three-four), and a short but evocative piece for piano "Loves Slumber" recorded somewhere other than a sound studio – keen ears will notice the door slamming in the background.
It’s a measure of how new Leilani is to the world of classical composing, and how quickly their talents are developing.
Their award-winning piece, ‘He Mele a ka Ikaika’ hasn't had a public performance yet, although it has been workshopped by the choir Voices New Zealand.
Voices New Zealand, Taonga Moana Photo: screenshot ex SOUNZ video
"It was so amazing to actually hear it, with an actual choir with someone conducting it. It was brilliant”.
The piece is inspired by two chants, one in Te Reo, representing where Leilani lives, and one Hawaiian, representing their ancestry from the other end of the Pacific.
"It was really a connection between two different worlds that I'm a part of.”
When not writing music Leilani loves delving into language and linguistics.
"At school I'm taking both Latin and French, in fact next year I'm adding on Māori into that mix.
“There's something just so culturally enriching learning about languages because you're not just learning words, you're learning new cultures - not necessarily ways of thinking but, it's a new colour to speak with”.
So does Leilani think their future lies in composing?
Not yet.
They want to continue to compose "but my dream job is to become the next national carillonist here in New Zealand".
Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
That's the carillon in the bell tower of Wellington's national war memorial, Pukeahu.
A carillon has a keyboard like a piano, but instead of hitting strings, the keys play an array of bells.
The one in Pukeahu is currently off limits while the tower undergoes earthquake-strengthening - a closure which happened just before Leilani was due to start taking carillon lessons.
A fascinating career, but would it be sufficiently stimulating?
"Well, the thing is, that as a job (it) would only encompass a small part (of my life). I don't work as a composer, as a musician, but I still do it regardless.
“I don't imagine that being a carillonist would impact my ability to compose.
“In fact, it could enrich my soundscape ... just being around such a beautiful and large and raw instrument".
We're looking forward to seeing performances, and hearing proper studio recordings of Leilani's music very soon.
