The Y’s ‘Raise Up’ Programme Celebrates New Zealand Music Month

New Zealand Music Month is hitting a high note as young musicians from across Auckland take centre stage for New Found Sound – a dynamic youth-led music competition delivered by The Y’s ‘Raise Up’ youth development programme.

Spanning Auckland, through a series of regional heats, New Found Sound gives high school students the opportunity to perform live, share their sound, and compete for a place in the grand finals at Auckland’s iconic venue, The Tuning Fork.

Open to both original music and covers, the competition celebrates emerging talent across all genres, giving young performers a platform to be heard, seen, and supported. The events, from the first heat through to the finals, are being delivered by youth participating in Raise Up. Alongside performers, young people gain hands-on experience in event production, coordination, and live music delivery by helping bring the competition to life.

The Y’s Raise Up programme empowers young people to lead, create, and take part in opportunities across music, arts, sports, leadership, and culture including initiatives such as New Found Sound during New Zealand Music Month and Walk the Line at New Zealand Fashion Week.

The Y’s CEO Rebecca Russell says the programme is about creating real opportunities for young people to explore their passions, wherever their interests may lie.

“New Found Sound is an incredible opportunity for young people to express themselves creatively and experience what it feels like to perform in a real-world music environment. Through Raise Up, young people can gain firsthand experience across all kinds of areas – whether that’s design, fashion, music, sport or events.”

“Raise Up crews are run by youth for youth, so young people aren’t just on stage – they’re behind the scenes as well, involved in everything from planning regional heats through to producing the finals. These experiences provide a real understanding of what it takes to deliver live events.”

The Y’s Youth Development Manager Shari Lett says:

“Music Month is the perfect time to celebrate the creativity of rangatahi. Raise Up opens doors for young people to build confidence, develop skills and explore where their interests can take them. As a youth worker, it’s always inspiring to see rangatahi draw on their strengths, passions and talents to create events for their peers.”

“Watching young people step into leadership, build connections and bring their ideas to life is an awesome experience and showcases the positive impact they can have in their communities.”

Finalists will receive invaluable support from industry professionals, including coaching and guidance on performance, stagecraft, and show delivery to ensure they are ready to shine at the grand final.

Shari says: “For young musicians, it connects talent with real-world experience. These are the kinds of moments that can help a young person move from potential to pathway.”

New Found Sound Auckland heats will take place across five regions throughout May and June.

– East Auckland @ Te Oro – 23 May
– West Auckland @ Zeal – 6 June
– Central Auckland @ TAPAC – 13 June
– South Auckland @ Māngere Arts Centre – 20 June
– North Auckland @ Rose Centre – 27 June

CEO Rebecca Russell says creating a diverse range of opportunities is central to helping young people discover what’s possible.

“Young people are ambitious, curious and full of potential. It’s important that they recognise there are so many opportunities available to them and different pathways to explore. Through The Y’s Raise Up programme, we work hard to create opportunities across a range of interests and passions. New Found Sound is just one of those, Walk the Line is another. These are really exciting opportunities for young people over the next few months.

The public are invited to come along and support performers at all events.

Find out more at https://www.raiseup.co.nz/event-and-workshops/new-found-sound/