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…

An opportunity for a composer to create a work to be performed by classical musicians at the 2022 Wakatipu Music Festival. Apply now!

"I am thrilled to announce that my debut album is released. I truly hope that listening to this album will be a source of warmth, comfort, and joy, particularly in these trying times. All of these pieces are very near and dear to me, and I'm very grateful to have the chance to share them with you. COVID-19 has changed our world and brought upon us trials that we have never experienced before. But, in the midst of…

Media release Monday 10 August, 2020     2021 MICHAEL HILL INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION CANCELLED New Zealand’s most prestigious international music competition taking a break in 2021. New Queenstown Music Festival to take its spot. The Board of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition (MHIVC) has made the unsurprising yet still difficult decision to cancel the 2021 Competition, which was to have marked the prestigious event’s 20th year. In its place, over Queen’s Birthday weekend in 2021 – when…

Our thoughts go out to everyone who is being affected by the Covid-19 but in particular all the violinists who have competed, collaborated and judged over the last twenty years of The Michael Hill International Violin Competition.  We acknowledge the huge impact the virus is having on their ability to perform and earn their livings. The “Michael Hill” takes the health and safety of its artists, staff, supporters and audience members very seriously.  We are following the advice…