New Zealand’s Most Prestigious International Music Competition Returns
Sheena Haywood

New Zealand’s Most Prestigious International Music Competition Returns

The violins are back! After a four-year COVID hiatus, New Zealand’s globally regarded Michael Hill International Violin Competition returns in June 2023. Violin and classical music lovers haven’t been able to experience the thrilling, formerly biennial (now triennial) event since 2019. Considered an ‘Olympics of the violin world’, 16 of the very best 18- to 26-year-old violinists from all over the world battle it out in Queenstown, and then Auckland. Their goal? To be selected by the prestigious…

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Sunday night performances
Young artist chamber ensemble

Sunday night performances

Easter Sunday - Our lovely musicians volunteered their time and talent at local churches for their Easter services yesterday morning.  The afternoon hosted more amazing concerts and recitals. Yesterday’s community performance showcased Wasabi - the Japanese choir, piano students of Kinga Krupa, Aspiring Chamber Ensemble and young artist Zephyr Willis (a musician of incredible talent and range) was pulled in at the last minute to perform. Not only does Zephyr play the viola, but he’s also a talented…

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Prize Winners of the National Competitions

NATIONAL STRING COMPETITION Cellist Hyein Kim has taken out the 1st Prize of the National String Competition. In this afternoon’s Grand Final, three string finalists each performed a 20 min recital, adjudicated by Justine Cormack. As the first prize winner of the National String Competition, Hyein receives: NZD $5,000 in cash + Recital at Lewis Eady Steinway Showroom + Performance opportunity with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (Kindly donated by the Becroft Foundation) The full prize winners are: First…

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FINALISTS ANNOUNCED

Following two demanding days of semi-finals, three String and three Piano finalists are moving on to the Grand Final tomorrow. The finalists for the Grand Final are (in their performance order): 1. Christine Jeon, String (Cello) 2. Shuan Liu, Piano 3. KiHei Lee, String (Violin) 4. Otis Prescott-Mason, Piano 5. Hyein Kim, String (Cello) 6. Jessica Chi, Piano Bios and final round repertoire can be found here. The winner of each of the Competitions (String & Piano) receives…

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Day 1 of Semi-final rounds

Yesterday, we had the first rounds of the semi-finals for both the String and Piano competitions. The (limited) audiences and our esteemed adjudicators had the opportunity to watch New Zealand’s best young musicians in action. A broad array of incredible music was performed with technical wizardry and the competitors showed maturity beyond their years. Thank you to all the competitors, who have all been incredibly committed and have shown tenacity through all the rescheduling and challenges presented to…

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Composer specifically selected for unique commission

A collaboration between the 2022 Whakatipu Music Festival and SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music, this commission will create a unique and original work of 7-8 minutes to be performed by a combination of community musicians, young artists, and professional festival artists. Through a call for proposal and decision by a selection panel facilitated by SOUNZ, we are excited to announce that Lucy Mulgan has been selected for this commission. "I am thrilled to receive this commission for the…

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