Auckland, New zealand
Revisit the 2023 competition
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We enthusiastically congratulate 2017 2nd prize and chamber music prize winner Luke Hsu for his recent appointment to Trio Michelangeli.
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Beautiful music in the most beautiful place on earth!
Audiences across Aotearoa, New Zealand welcomed the return of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition over the first 10 days of June 2023.
16 outstanding young violinists, selected by audition from an initial 160 applicants, travelled to Queenstown and Auckland and were wholeheartedly embraced by local audiences who journeyed with them through the highs and lows that come with a competition of this calibre.
The Michael Hill remains a favourite on the competition circuit, not just for its prestigious prize package, esteemed judging panel and career-launching opportunities, but also for the warmth and heart that greets every competitor from the moment they touch down in Aotearoa. For the rest of their careers, these artists will be connected to this place and can count on the support of the people they have met over the course of their stay. The term whānau means ‘extended family group’ in Te Reo (the Māori language) and all of the competitors and judges now join our treasured whānau.
So much more than a violin competition, the Michael Hill enables music-making opportunities to spill out across the community leaving a lasting impact on our local music scene. The introduction of the Fellowship programme in 2023 saw six exceptionally talented Kiwi violinists become part of the Michael Hill experience, observing every stage of the competition, learning from visiting jury members and workshopping and performing with many of the competitors. Firm friendships were formed that will help guide these young Kiwi musicians as they step onto the international stage in pursuit of their own performance careers.
In other community connections the opening Queenstown sessions saw engagements with local schools, retirement villages and even a performance at the popular LUMA light festival. The final leg of the competition in Auckland stepped things up several notches with the inaugural Auckland String Sessions. Music lovers young and old could connect with our judging panel of world-renowned soloists for workshops, masterclasses and to exchange ideas and learnings with our own industry leaders such as the New Zealand String Quartet. 60 violinists from pre-school to university age embraced the Auckland String Sessions programme, welcoming the chance to immerse themselves in music-making with our international guests.
Latest News - Keeping up with the play!
We sat down with Sarah Watkins and Gracie Francis – our collaborative pianists for the 2024 National String Competition – to talk about what it’s like to work with a large number of young artists with a limited amount of rehearsal time…the challenges, the joys and the myriad of things that both competitor and accompanist…
12 November 2024 Last Tuesday we played a concert in Dunedin and the composer Gillian Whitehead was actually in the audience. I’m playing one of her pieces called Bright Silence and I got to meet her backstage. She was so warm and genuine and I’m really happy that I got to meet her. After Dunedin…
Tuesday 5 November Earlier this week we performed in Invercargill, Christchurch and Nelson. The Opera House in Invercargill was so dark that I couldn’t see the audience so I imagined that I was an opera singer on stage. The next morning, I had a 6am Zoom class in writing short fiction for my Bachelor of…
31 October 2024 I’m writing this blog at Hamilton Airport. We’re about to fly to Invercargill for our next concert. I had some trouble with my excess baggage because of all the dresses in my bag, but we are fine now! Last night was really fun. We had an amazing concert at the Gallagher Academy…
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Introducing Amy Chen – National String Competition semi-finalist.
Amy is a violinist from Auckland who will compete in the semi-finals which take place at Auckland University School of Music on the 14th and 15th of December. She will be vying for a place in the Grand Final at Westlake Girls High School on December 16.
For the full schedule and to book your tickets visit the link in our bio.
Amy is a student of Saint Kentigern College where she studies with Mark Bennett. She previously studied violin with Stephen Larsen.
As concertmaster in the Saint Kentigern College Symphony Orchestra, Amy’s passion for orchestral music extends to her involvement with the NZ Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra (NZSSSO) and the upcoming NZSO Young Artist Showcase. She has won numerous awards with her chamber group at the NZCT Chamber Music Contest, including National Finalist 2022 and 2024, and Auckland District Best Group Overall this year. Additionally, she won the Young Performer of The Year Award at North Shore Performing Arts Society (NSPAS) and was nominated to compete at the Performing Arts Competitions Association (PACANZ) in 2023.
Amy has also had the honour of playing in events such as the Ning Feng Masterclass and the Auckland String Sessions hosted by the Michael Hill International Violin Competition.
#hffam #nsc2024 #clef #violin
Nov 21
Introducing Tal Amoore – National String Competition semi-finalist.
Tal is a violist from Auckland who will compete in the semi-finals which take place at Auckland University School of Music on the 14th and 15th of December. He will be vying for a place in the Grand Final at Westlake Girls High School on December 16.
For the full schedule and to book your tickets visit the link in our bio.
Tal Amoore’s journey as a violist commenced unusually late at the age of 15 under the guidance of Dr John Thompson, then with Gillian Ansell of the NZ String Quartet. Tal has graced stages across New Zealand, performing with many regional orchestras as well as festivals such as Cuba Dupa, the Fringe Festival, and Classical on Cuba.
As a Rostered Artist of the Afflatus Ensemble, Tal has demonstrated his versatility as both a soloist and principal violist. He founded the Eden Quartet and has participated in the NZSQ’s Adam Summer School numerous times, and recently embarked on a recording project with a small ensemble of string players alongside London-based Arjuna Oakes and his band.
Tal has been honoured to be an APO Young Achiever and a Dame Malvina Major Ensemble Rostered Artist. He was also an At the World’s Edge Emerging Artist in 2022 and 2024.
#hffam #viola
Nov 20
Auckland audiences have one last chance to experience the electrifying talents of Jenny Jin and Jeonghwan Kim!
TONIGHT ONLY: 7:30pm - Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall.
This was their extraordinary finale to Saint-Saëns Violin Sonata No 1 in D minor last night in Wellington.
The concert left no doubt as to why they won last year’s Michael Hill International Violin Competition and Sydney International Piano Competition.
The duo round up their 11-centre New Zealand tour in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand this evening, then head to Australia for concerts in Melbourne and Sydney with Piano+.
Book NOW at link in bio.
Nov 10
We appreciate the ongoing support of the Chiron Group which enables us to bring world-class music to communities all around New Zealand and to foster a culture of excellence in the arts.
The current Winners Tour by Jenny Jin and Jeonghwan Kim, is just one example of the Hill Family Foundation’s commitment to creating opportunities for emerging artists, alongside the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, Whakatipu Music Festival and the National String Competition next month.
Catch Jenny and Jeongwhan at a venue near you as part of The Young Virtuosi, Winners Tour in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand and remember to purchase you Grand Final tickets for the National String Competition and Lewis Eady National Piano Competition - links are in our bio.
Nov 6
Fine wine and fine art go hand in hand, especially when the art is some of the finest music that New Zealand audiences can experience.
We’re grateful for the ongoing support of Nockie’s Palette whose Central Otago wines are thoroughly enjoyed by guests and audiences at Hill Family Foundation concerts, competitions and events.
Make sure you sample their finely crafted vintages at the National String Competition in Auckland this December.
To secure your Grand Final tickets visit the link in our bio.
Oct 26
Introducing Julian Smiles: Whakatipu Music Festival Feature Artist.
We’re privileged to welcome Julian Smiles to Queenstown as a guest artist at next year’s Whakatipu Music Festival.
Julian has been a standout performer on the Australian classical music scene for decades, holding many prestigious positions including a number of years as principal cellist with the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
He has performed frequently as guest principal cello with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and is regularly heard as a soloist with the Melbourne and Canberra Symphony Orchestras.
Julian founded the internationally renowned Goldner String Quartet in 1995 with colleagues Dene Olding, Irina Morozova and Dimity Hall, garnering rave reviews of their recordings and performances in the UK.
Julian has premiered solo works by Australian composers including Mark Isaacs, Carl Vine and Ross Edwards, and is a passionate and highly respected teacher, passing his depth of knowlede and experience to the next generation of music lovers.
Festival Audiences will be able to hear Julian with other Festival Artists over the Easter weekend 18-21 April in Queenstown.
Oct 25
We are thrilled to partner with Chamber Music New Zealand for the Winners Tour: The Young Virtuosi which begins this Sunday in Palmerston North and runs until November 10.
This 11 centre recital tour of New Zealand features the extraordinary Jenny Jin, and electrifying Jeonghwan Kim, winners of the 2023 Micheal Hill International Violin Competition and Sydney International Piano Competition respectively.
This power duo represent some of the finest emerging talent in the world today and we are proud to offer the opportunity for New Zealand audiences to see the live, at a venue near you.
Link in bio for tickets
SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER, 7.30pm
St Peter’s Anglican Church, Palmerston North
TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER, 7.30pm
MTG Century Theatre, Napier
WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER, 7.30pm
Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Hamilton
THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER, 7.30pm
Civic Theatre, Invercargill
FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER, 7.30pm
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, Nelson
SUNDAY 3 NOVEMBER, 7.30pm
The Piano, Christchurch
MONDAY 4 NOVEMBER, 7.30pm
The Lodge at the Hills, Queenstown
TUESDAY 5 NOVEMBER, 7.30pm
Glenroy Auditorium, Dunedin
FRIDAY 8 NOVEMBER, 7.30pm
4th Wall Theatre, New Plymouth
SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER, 7.30pm
St Andrew’s on The Terrace, Wellington
SUNDAY 10 NOVEMBER, 7.30pm
Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, Auckland
Jeongwhan Kim image credit Jay Patel
Oct 25
Michael Hill International is synonymous with quality and craftmanship of the highest standard and we are incredibly fortunate for their ongoing support of events including the National String Competition, Whakatipu Music Festival and of course the Michael Hill International Violin Competition.
This support has boosted the careers of many emerging musicians over the years and has made possible the 11 centre ‘Winners Tour’ by Jenny Jin, last year’s MHIVC winner, and her performance of Mozart’s Violin Concerto No. 3 with the Auckland Philharmonia this evening.
Jenny is joined for her recital tour by pianist Jeonghwan Kim, the winner of last year’s Sydney International Piano Competition.
The pair will tour New Zealand in partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand, record a full length CD on Atoll Records, then head to Australia for recitals in Melbourne and Sydney with Piano+.
Visit our link in bio for details on Jenny’s Winners Tour.
Oct 23
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