Matthew Gifford
Matthew
Gifford
BASS
Ethnicity: Cook Island / Mäori Ngäti Kahungunu
Studying: Music, Maori, Teaching and Education.
Matthew
Gifford (20) is the bass of the Musical Island Boys. Matthew joined the
quartet in 2002, when he moved to Tawa College in year 12 from Palmerston
North Boys' High School.
At Palmerston
North Boys' High School, Matthew received the `Overall Excellence in Music
Award’ in 1999 and 2000. He was a tenor singer in the school's auditioned
choir 'OK Chorale' who received a gold award at the Big Sing National Choral
Finale in 2001. After moving to Tawa College in 2002, Matthew became actively
involved in musical activities. He was a member of the school choirs, barbershop
chorus, and also played the French horn in the school concert band. In 2003
Matthew played the role of 'Caiaphas' in the school production of Jesus
Christ Superstar. In this same year he was also a school prefect, student
support counsellor and peer tutor. Matthew received the 'Haere Mahia to
Mahi- Maori Excellence Award’ and honour’s pockets for excellence
in music performance. In 2003 he also received the Peter Bielby Cup, awarded
for best contribution to drama, music, arts and literature.
Matthew spends
his days as a third year student at Victoria University of Wellington. He
is studying towards a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, Maori and Pacific
Studies and a Bachelor of Teaching. Matthew is also an executive member
of the Victoria University Maori Students' Association, the co-president
of the Cook Islands Scholars’ Association and is the Maori student
representative on the University's Academic Board.
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Outside of university, Matthew is an integral member of the Wellington youth
barbershop chorus, Vocal FX. He has also spent time as a barbershop coach
and choir director at Upper Hutt College. Matthew is the tutor of the Tawa
College Kapa Haka group and also mentors Maori and Pacific Island students.
Matthew co-ordinates and teaches the Maori tourism courses at the Sir George
Seymour National College of Tourism and Travel and works part time at Woolworths,
Kilbirnie.
