How do you keep 120 secondary school students absolutely silent? You sit them in front of global song writing legend Pat Pattison, that's how.

It’s tough being a budding song writer in New Zealand, let alone Tauranga – especially when the world’s leading song writing educators are on the other side of the world. Luckily for Bay song writers and music students a whole lot of magic came to town this week when Bay of Plenty Polytechnic hosted song writing guru Pat Pattison.

More than 200 people attended workshops by Pat over two days during which seasoned musicians rubbed shoulders with secondary students from as far away as Taupo, all taking the opportunity to have their songs critiqued by arguably the greatest lyric writing educator in the world.

Pat teaches lyric writing and poetry at Berklee College of Music. His four song writing books are considered definitive in their genre and his song writing clinics around the globe are usually sold out months in advance.

Mary Stewart, Group Leader Culture at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic, was delighted with the diverse range of song writers, poets, professional and amateur musicians who celebrated New Zealand Music Month by learning new skills, tips and tricks with Pat.

“We’re always looking for new ways to develop our student’s song writing abilities, to help them grow their own unique musical signature. Having Pat here was just an amazing learning platform for our students – and it just seemed a fantastic opportunity to be able to offer the workshops to the wider musical community.

“From fresh-faced eager secondary school students to experienced musicians and music teachers on professional development, it was fabulous to see them all enthralled. It’s great that we are able to support the development of music coming out of the Bay and New Zealand.”

Bay of Plenty Polytechnic offers two music programmes for musicians of all levels and genres.  For more information, contact Bay of Plenty Polytechnic on 0800 BOP POLY.