After four intense days competing in the quarter-final rounds six semi-finalists have been selected from sixteen international contestants. They are: Jevgēnijs Čepoveckis(Latvia), Hannah Cho (USA), Do Gyung (Anna) Im (South Korea), Eric Tsai (USA), Victoria Wong (Australia), Angela Sin Ying Chan (Hong Kong). Congratulations and see you all in Auckland for the semi-final rounds! The award for best performance of the commissioned piece ('Chatoyance' by Lyell Cresswell) went to Harry Ward (Australia). Lyell thanked the Michael Hill competition…

Today I spent time talking to some of the spectators. Peter Wilson has strong memories of the first competition in 2001. When an afternoon session at The Memorial Centre was disturbed by the clatter of rugby boot sprigs on concrete, Peter was tasked with going downstairs and diplomatically asking the rugby team to take their warmup outside. Peter Wilson and Gerda McGechan sponsor German competitor Matthias Well. Matthias performed today for the first time and surprised audiences by…

We woke up to snow on the mountains this morning – a dramatic backdrop for the start of the quarter-final rounds in Queenstown’s Memorial Centre. While paragliders soar on thermal updrafts right outside the auditorium, eight of the sixteen contestants glide their way through sublime solo Bach works, fiendishly difficult Paganini Caprices, charming salon pieces and the popular Ad Libitum – a work of their own choosing. The youngest competitor, 19-year-old Emmalena Huning performed today. Emmalena was an…

Despite the icy weather, all the contestants and their Kiwi host families were given the warmest of welcomes at Sir Michael Hill’s Arrowtown home. They’ve flown to Queenstown from as far away as Russia, Lativa, Germany, South Korea and the USA. A traditional Maori pōwhiri (welcome) was led by tangata whenua with impressive performances from Arrowtown Primary School kapa haka group. The contestants responded to the welcome by singing the waiata ‘Te Aroha’ and greeting their hosts with…

Something else which makes our Competition different from others is that we don’t just create an opportunity for young international violinists to compete on the world stage, but we offer a number career development opportunities, right here in Aotearoa. In order for us best foster the next generation of violin talent, we have developed a thriving programme of development, education and community outreach activities, including masterclasses, workshops and our popular Classroom Conversations series. Masterclasses are intimate with limited…

Our Ad Libitum section continued on Sat 1 June, for the remaining eight Quarter-finalists. Ad Libitum means “according to pleasure” and, as such, the competitor chooses a work which resonates with them. Each is required to introduce their chosen piece and its (or their) significance to the judging panel and audience. It’s not just a test of skill and artistry, but of presentation skills and creativity. Australian Victoria Wong (at left) chose Ernst’s Der Erlkönig, expressing its importance…

Every Competition, the Quarter-finalists are all required to perform a commissioned piece by a New Zealand composer as part of Round 2. This year, we have the privilege of hearing - 16 times! - a new work by Wellington-born, Edinburgh-based Composer Lyell Cresswell. Lyell is a prolific composer who has written work for orchestra, opera, choral music and beyond. He has an APRA Silver Scroll for his contribution to New Zealand music and a New Zealand Arts Laureate…