The 2026 Slam the Jams Contemporary Music concert was held in front of an enthusiastic and appreciative full house in the E9 and 10 music space on the evening of May 26.
Hosted by MAGS Head Prefect Brooke Lipiseki and Deputy Alodia Ke, the evening opened with polished performances from the Owairaka Jazz Ensemble, who got the crowd warmed up with Buck Jump by Trombone Shorty before presenting Mercy, Mercy, which introduced the powerful jazz vocals of student Tilly Tiafariu. Their set finished with Frankenstein by Edgar Winter.
Magnaphonics Jazz ensemble made a spectacular entrance – all with a range of different hats. They started with We Come to the Party by Rebirth Brass Band and then changed it to a soulful rendition of John Lenon’s Imagine featuring soloist Penny Tozer, before wrapping it up with Night Train.
Then it was the turn of the soloists and smaller groups, beginning with Blake Spalding performing his own original song.
This was followed by a succession of small bands – Ombre, 24 Dollar Orchestra, UFO, Pead and Clarabella – who all demonstrated their musicianship and performance skill encouraged by a supportive audience.
The group performances were interspersed with some solos and duos including a beautiful duet by Niamh McDowall and Anne-Theresa Napara.
The last two items were an impassioned performance by the whole 13Modern Music class, who, along with Mr Watson on drums, performed Waiting on the World to Change and Valerie.
Director of Arts Co-curricular Ms Cesan said, “Just as we thought the evening was over we were treated to a final performance by the MAGS band Pretty In Pink, consisting of Will Poynter, Ethan Hilsden and Rafael Bevacqua-Kimi, who entertained us with two very different flavours. Firstly, Your’e Still the One by Shania Twain and then a really great rendition of the classic House of the Rising Sun, showing their prowess as instrumentalists and singers.
“It was great to see such a diverse range of styles and performances, and it was wonderful to see some of the great talent amongst our modern musicians. Well done to all.”
