Primary School children are helping New Zealand win more gold medals at next years Olympic Games. School children from around the country have entered the Anthem in Black song writing competition designed to inspire our athletes at London 2012. Entries reflected national pride captured what it means to represent New Zealand on the worlds stage. The nationwide competition was also open to secondary school students and professional musicians. This week the winning primary school students will take part in professional recording sessions run by Play it Strange CEO and former Split Enz member, Mike Chunn. The songs are performed by the schools ukulele bands and will feature as bonus tracks on Anthem in Black 2011, the soundtrack featuring the best entries from the national secondary schools and professional musician categories. Olympic Ambassador and gold medal winning Olympian Barbara Kendall was present at the first recording session at Stebbing Studio in Auckland with Newmarket Primary School. These youngsters have created music that reflects what it means to be a New Zealander and an Olympian. They really made me proud and Im sure theyll inspire our London Olympians, she said. Im looking forward to hearing the professional musicians entries also. Kendall, who plays the guitar and ukulele herself, believes music is important to athletes. Theres nothing like being overseas and hearing New Zealand music from home, she said. Athletes use music to focus, prepare, relax and excel. Its exciting to have a soundtrack especially created for the New Zealand Olympic Team to London. New Zealand Olympic and Commonwealth Villages typically feature a selection of guitars and sheet music available to athletes. Mike Chunn said he was delighted to see the primary school students given the opportunity to share their pride in New Zealand. New Zealand is a nation of outstanding musicians and outstanding athletes. The Anthem in Black competition is a wonderful opportunity for sport and music to combine. The students were joined at the recording session by professional musician Sarah Spicer who performed her Anthem in Black entry Lights. The winning primary school entries were from Bayfield School (Determination), Newmarket School (Aotearoa Team Song), Henderson School (Black on Top), Pukekohe North School (Shine Among the Stars), Mount Aspiring College (We are Heading to London), East Tamaki School (Never Give Up). A total of more than 150 entries from primary and secondary school students and professional musicians were received. The winners of the secondary school and professional musician categories will be announced on April 28th at the launch of the London Olympic Campaign. The Anthem in Black Olympic Soundtrack will be available from NZ2012.com for free download from April 28th. A second round of the competition will be held later this year. The London Olympic Games take place from July 27 August 12 2012
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