With the goal of raising awareness for fine music and to inspire the highest standard of musical performance in Aotearoa, 2023 saw the creation of a new ‘mini festival’ to run alongside the final stages of the Michael Hill competition in Auckland.

The Auckland String Sessions were presented in partnership with the University of Auckland and with programme curation from the New Zealand String Quartet’s Helene Pohl, the inaugural Auckland String Sessions will ran from Wednesday 7 until Saturday 10 June.

Across four action-packed days, Kiwi musicians, parents, students, and their teachers could attend free workshops and masterclasses with some of the classical world’s finest exponents including members of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition jury panel, visiting competitors, collaborating artists such as the New Zealand String Quartet, NZTrio and associates of the University of Auckland School of Music and Chiron Group.

AFTERNOON  |  CLASSROOM CONVERSATIONS  |   SELECTED AUCKLAND HIGH SCHOOLS 

Competitors and Fellows visit local high schools around Tāmaki Makaurau to lead interactive workshops with students and teaching staff.

7.30PM – TICKETED EVENT  |  COMPETITION SEMI-FINALS – ROUND III  |   AUCKLAND TOWN HALL CONCERT CHAMBER

Three of the six advancing semi-finalists displayed their impeccable artistry and leadership skills by leading one of Mozart’s sublime string quintets with just 90 minutes’ rehearsal time. They were joined on stage by eminent NZ musicians Amalia Hall, Gillian Ansell, Robert Ashworth and Ashley Brown to complete their quintet ensemble.

10.00 – 12.00 NOON  |  MASTERCLASS WITH NATALIA LOMEIKO   |   MUSIC THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND 

12.00 – 2.00 PM  |  MASTERCLASS WITH ANTHONY MARWOOD   |   MUSIC THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND 

Masterclass sessions with internationally renowned violinists and members of the Michael Hill 2023 Jury Panel – Anthony Marwood (UK) and Natalia Lomeiko (NZ/UK).

Attendence at these masterclasses are free to attend for interested musicians, students, parents and string instrument teachers.

7.30PM – TICKETED EVENT  |  COMPETITION SEMI-FINALS – ROUND III  |   AUCKLAND TOWN HALL CONCERT CHAMBER

In the second session of Round III, the remaining three semi-finalists displayed their impeccable artistry and leadership skills leading one of Mozart’s sublime string quintets with just 90 minutes’ rehearsal time. They were joined on stage by eminent NZ musicians Amalia Hall, Gillian Ansell, Robert Ashworth and Ashley Brown to complete their quintet ensemble.

The University of Auckland School of Music played host to a full day of professional development workshops.

The sessions were FREE to attend and were particularly beneficial to private and itinerant music teachers looking to gain deeper insights and techniques to apply in their own teaching practice.

ALL DAY/ DROP-IN  |  STRING INSTRUMENT MAKERS & RETAILERS IN RESIDENCE  |  ROOM #114 – MUSIC DEPT, UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND

Drop-in session giving musicians and their families the chance to meet with some of New Zealand’s acclaimed luthiers and learn about the art of instrument making. Topics like instrument care and restoration and an opportunity to view and inspect a range of historic/ imported and NZ-made instruments, bows was also on offer.

10.00 – 11.30AM  |  COACHING STUDENT ENSEMBLES – BEST PRACTICE IN ACTION |  MUSIC THEATRE and adjacent rooms, UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND

What are the magical ingredients of a compelling chamber music performance? The New Zealand String Quartet has been honing the art of chamber music performance and coaching since 1987.

Attendees observed members of the NZSQ coaching student chamber ensembles, followed by an opportunity to “lift the lid” on their own teaching processes with an audience Q&A session.

12.00 – 2.00PM  |  MARRYING TEACHING WITH PERFORMING |  ROOM #115 – MUSIC DEPT, UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND

2023 Michael Hill Jury member and internationally respected kiwi violinist, Wilma Smith, led an inclusive discussion about the symbiosis of teaching and performing and the fundamental importance of the practice of listening. Attendees were encouraged to come with questions for Wilma on any topic.

2.30 – 3.30PM  |  INSTRUMENT CARE AND ACQUISITION TIPS with RARE VIOLINS OF NEW YORK  |  THE HARPSICHORD ROOM – MUSIC DEPT, UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND

Ziv Azari co-founder of Rare Violins of New York, came to New Zealand as a guest of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition. While staying Ziv generously agreed to share some of his own insights from a career built as both a performer and for the last 21 years, as one of the most respected instrument dealers in the world.

This seminar was designed to help budding musicians and their families learn the tips and tricks to look out for when purchasing that ‘next’ level of instrument and how to care for the instrument to ensure your investment is protected and the instrument’s qualities continue to develop. 

4.00 – 6.00PM  |  MASTERCLASS WITH NING FENG |  WESTLAKE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL

Ning Feng, Michael Hill winner 2005 and current jury member presented this one-night only masterclass session, working with invited students from the Chiron School of Music.

7.30PM – TICKETED EVENT |  RECITAL WITH NING FENG, NZ TRIO and SARAH WATKINS  |  WESTLAKE GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL

A stunning programme featuring NZ Trio performing Kenji Bunch’s Groovebox, Rachel Element (NZ) Shifting States and Alfred Schnittke’s strikingly classical Piano Trio.

The second half featured none other than Ning Feng playing solo Bach, and Piazzola’s Piano Trio with Michael Hill collaborating artists, Sarah Watkins and Ashley Brown.

Saturday 10 June saw conclusion of the learning and music-making four-day mini music festival – the Auckland String Sessions. The entire event gave amateur musicians and music lovers the chance to get up close with all the Michael Hill’s visiting star artists, and contributed to helping build serious anticipation ahead of the Finale performance also scheduled to take place this Saturday 10 June.

9.00 – 10.00AM  |  SUZUKI WORKSHOP  |  MUSIC THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND

Suzuki students and teachers joined with Helene Pohl from the New Zealand String Quartet and Suzuki-trained Michael Hill fellows and international competitors for an inspiring session of music making. Repertoire included the Bach Double Violin Concerto mvt 1, Dvořák Humoresque and selected pieces from Suzuki Books 1 & 2.

This FREE workshop offered young Suzuki students the chance to meet Michael Hill competitors and fellows who also began their musical training with the Suzuki method.

10.15 – 12.15 PM  |  MASTERCLASS WITH JAMES EHNES  |  MUSIC THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND 

Acclaimed soloist and 2023 jury member James Ehnes worked with Michael Hill Competitors and advanced students from the University of Auckland in a supportive open masterclass environment.

This session offered captivating insights into performance techniques and interpretation, providing an invaluable learning opportunity for musicians, teachers and any music enthusiast who loves to dive deeper into great classical repertoire.  

4.00PM – TICKETED EVENT |  AUCKLAND STRINGS SESSIONS SHOWCASE  |  AUCKLAND TOWN HALL

A celebration performance to end this ‘mini festival’ of learning, sharing and musical exploration – Not to mention the perfect ‘appetiser’ to the Finale of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition later in the evening!!

Starring Michael Hill judges, Bella Hristova and Piers Lane, alongside the New Zealand String Quartet, Michael Hill competitors and fellowship recipients. Also joining them on stage were dozens of New Zealand’s own emerging musical talents – faces we can look forward to seeing on our stages for many years to come.

The programme was headlined by Bella Hristova performing the Haydn Violin Concerto along with chamber works by Vivaldi, Leonie Holmes, Prokofiev and the sumptuous Franck Piano Quintet. Also on show was a brand new work by emerging New Zealand Composer Yvonne New, specially commissioned for this event.