新西兰英语 776 New Zealand music month

 　　May is New Zealand music month. It is a month when we celebrate music written and performed by New Zealanders. Every day this month, there are performances by New Zealand musicians – live in gigs, in public libraries and in concert halls or recorded on radio and TV. There are interviews with musicians and stories about bands. Over 350 events are planned for this month.

　　New Zealand music month began 13 years ago. At that time, 1.6% of the music played on commercial radio stations was New Zealand music. Within 5 years, that rose to 20%. It is a similar story with albums. In 2000, 6% of the albums sold were New Zealand music. Within 5 years, that became 29% and today New Zealand bands and soloists² have become very popular amongst young people.

　　New Zealand music month began with a lunch-time performance by East Tamaki primary school children, singing and playing Titanium’s song “Come on Home”. The children played ukuleles and violins. The band Titanium helped them sing. The children are learning to play musical instruments through a programme called Sistema Aotearoa. It is adapted from a programme begun in Venezuela. Sistema Aotearoa gives children from year 2, in low decile schools, the chance to learn a musical instrument.

　　Vocabulary

　　?commercial radio – has advertising³

　　?soloist¹ – a singer (one person)

　　?adapted – copied and changed to suit our country

　　?low decile – poor children; parents are in the bottom 10% of wage earners

1 soloist   

n.独奏者，独唱者

参考例句：

• The soloist brought the house down with encore for his impressive voice.这位独唱家以他那感人的歌声博得全场喝彩。
• The soloist had never performed in London before.那位独唱者过去从未在伦敦演出过。

2 soloists   

n.独唱者，独奏者，单飞者( soloist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The soloists were ably supported by the University Singers. 这些独唱歌手得到了大学歌手的大力支持。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Summer music festivals feature leading orchestras, soloists and opera companies. 在夏季举行的各音乐节，有著名的交响乐团、独唱和独奏者及歌剧团表演。 来自互联网

3 advertising   

n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的

参考例句：

• Can you give me any advice on getting into advertising? 你能指点我如何涉足广告业吗?
• The advertising campaign is aimed primarily at young people. 这个广告宣传运动主要是针对年轻人的。