The CITC Pump the Beats – Te Emo’anga Tangi Kaara – is just around the corner, with primary and secondary schools participating in this upcoming event.

The Tangi Kaara competition will take place at the National Auditorium, featuring both primary and secondary schools in Rarotonga.

The drumming contest will start with the primary school competition on Wednesday, June 11.

There will be six primary schools participating in the competition: Apii Avarua, Te Uki Ou, Apii Arorangi, Apii Takitumu, Apii Rutaki and Apii Nikao.

The secondary school’s competition will take place on Thursday, June 12, featuring four groups from Tereora College – Ikurangi, Maungaroa, Te Manga and Te Kou, with two other colleges, Titikaveka College and Apii Nukutere.

According to Travel Moeara, from Ministry of Cultural Development Cook Islands, the participating group must have a maximum of 10 drummers or a minimum of five.

There will be two sections for both nights of the competition. The first section will be “Rute a rupe”, which means “a beat to follow the chant”.

“A chant given to them to follow, they have to learn the beat,” Moeara said.

The second section will be “creative beat” where schools get the opportunity to showcase a creative drum beat.

Each group must perform their beats within a six to seven-minute limit.

Rehearsals for primary schools have started at the National Auditorium. Secondary schools began their rehearsals on Monday.

The Ministry of Cultural Development’s highly anticipated Tangi Kaara Challenge is proudly sponsored by CITC Cook Islands Trading Corporation and Pump NZ.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children. Children under five are free. Tickets will be available for purchase at the National Auditorium entry.

Doors will be open at 5pm on Wednesday and Thursday, the event will begin at 6pm.