Enjoying a career of managing music
Sunday 29 April 2007, 7:25PM
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Peter Skerret Credit:
Infonews Editor
Southern Institute of technology (Sit) programme manager of music Peter Skerrett has had many a memorable time in his years as a musician and teacher.
Mr Skerrett has been working at Sit since 1990 and this year has over 60 students in his charge covering a range of six courses from introduction to the three year degree.
Mr Skerrett started his career as a bass musician in the early 60’s and worked in Australia and New Zealand as what the Americans call a side man.
“It’s something I have always wanted to be, and be good at playing a variety of music,†Mr Skerrett said.
Mr Skerrett recalled touring with legendary singer song writer Johnny Tillston in the late 60’s, who wrote songs for Elvis and had over 25 top 100 hits, as a highlight of his time in the music industry and still has a close friendship with him.
“When I go to L.A. I stay with him,†Mr Skerrett said.
Mr Skerrett is still a musician and performs in and around the region for functions and other events.
“Up to about 10 years ago we used to work in pubs, but now we do most of our work in Queenstown,†He said.
Mr Skerrett still travels a lot and has been part of a touring group to Canada the last couple of years and the interest generated from that had him in Germany last year.
The Group travelled to Germany included, Shannon Cooper-Garland, Jason Schmidt, Wina Robertson, Lindal Ngata and Michelle Daley.
Three bagpipers, three highland dancers and two modern dancers also travelled to Germany for the show which was televised live to about 12million viewers.
The group have also been supported by the Southland Community Trust, Venture Southland, The ILT and Sit it’s self.
Mr Skerrett has been working at Sit since 1990 and this year has over 60 students in his charge covering a range of six courses from introduction to the three year degree.
Mr Skerrett started his career as a bass musician in the early 60’s and worked in Australia and New Zealand as what the Americans call a side man.
“It’s something I have always wanted to be, and be good at playing a variety of music,†Mr Skerrett said.
Mr Skerrett recalled touring with legendary singer song writer Johnny Tillston in the late 60’s, who wrote songs for Elvis and had over 25 top 100 hits, as a highlight of his time in the music industry and still has a close friendship with him.
“When I go to L.A. I stay with him,†Mr Skerrett said.
Mr Skerrett is still a musician and performs in and around the region for functions and other events.
“Up to about 10 years ago we used to work in pubs, but now we do most of our work in Queenstown,†He said.
Mr Skerrett still travels a lot and has been part of a touring group to Canada the last couple of years and the interest generated from that had him in Germany last year.
The Group travelled to Germany included, Shannon Cooper-Garland, Jason Schmidt, Wina Robertson, Lindal Ngata and Michelle Daley.
Three bagpipers, three highland dancers and two modern dancers also travelled to Germany for the show which was televised live to about 12million viewers.
The group have also been supported by the Southland Community Trust, Venture Southland, The ILT and Sit it’s self.