Look To The Stars News: Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust

Hayley Westenra To Perform At Celebrity Charity Gala Dinner In New Zealand

Wed, 04 May 2011 12:00:00 +0000

One of the biggest nights on the New Zealand music calendar, the Raukatauri Gala Dinner, is proud to announce another streak of star power to its stellar 2011 line-up.

As part of her long awaited return home, classical star and Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust patron Hayley Westenra will perform at this year’s event. And Kenny Rogers has donated a signed guitar to the evening’s auction.

In one of his first public performances since his recent cycling accident, Don McGlashan’s performance will also be a must-see. Don and Hayley will take the stage alongside some of New Zealand’s finest artists including Tim Finn, Anika Moa, Opshop’s Jason Kerrison, Lawrence Arabia and Nesian Mystik.

Kiwi Stars Record Charity Song

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:00:00 +0000

Some of New Zealand’s best known international stars have recorded a new song to raise money for children in need.

Anika Moa, and Opshop have joined together for a version of Dave Dobbyn’s award winning song Beside You to raise money for the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust, a charity that provides music therapy for special needs children of school age and younger in New Zealand.

“Everyone was there with the best of intent,” said Jason Kerrison, lead singer for Opshop. “It’s all about helping children with special needs, and knowing this helps you drive yourself and be there in the best capacity.”

It's Never Too Crowded For Charity

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 10:35:00 +0000

Half of the band is American, yet they originated in Australia, and the lead singer is a New Zealander. Veteran pop band Crowded House can truly be considered as one of the most international music groups ever to grace the airwaves. And even though they are currently halfway through a world tour to promote their latest album, they still find time to be part of a new collaborative CD to raise money for Oxfam.

“The Cake Sale” (CD /MP3) is a new record featuring a loose and expansive collective of musicians and writers, including Crowded House founding member Nick Seymore, who have combined to create a 9 song CD of previously unreleased recordings. Profits from the album, which also features Nina Persson from The Cardigans, Damien Rice, and Snow Patrol, will go to Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign, as well as to their overseas program work. It was released in Britain in September, where it has already raised almost $300,000, and was made available in the US on October 16.

Crowded House formed in 1984, as a result of the demise of an earlier band called Split Enz. Ex-Enz singer/songwriter Neil Finn, and drummer Paul Hester, joined bass player Nick Seymore to form the new band, then travelled to Los Angeles. There they were signed to Capital Records. Over the next 12 years, the band released four albums, and garnered a loyal fan base with a strong repertoire of hits on both sides of the Atlantic, including “Don’t Dream It’s Over”, “Weather With You”, and “Four Seasons In One Day”.