The finale concert of the Whakatipu Music Festival was a beautiful reflection of the festival as a whole, a celebration of music. Our professional artists performed some of their favourite pieces. Alistair Fraser, from Tararua performed alongside flautist Bridget Douglas in a piece composed for taonga pūoro.   The Kia Kōpuni performances closed out a fantastic weekend! A range of artists from professional and emerging to local musicians took to the stage in an en masse performance. Performing Colour…

A fresh Queenstown day began with a taonga pūoro talk from Tararua members, Ariana Tikao and Alistair Fraser.  Coming off the back of their performance the previous night, the talk provided an incredible insight into their unique musicality. Ariana and Alistair discussed their own journey with taonga pūoro and how improvisation skills from Tararua group members Ruby Solly and Phil Boniface are exceptionally valuable when working with taonga pūoro. Demonstrating how each instrument is used, they explained the…

Getting excited for public performances - some of the young artists put on an impromptu, flashmob style performance outside the famous Fergburger. A fun, light-hearted performance, had people in the Fergburger queue taking videos and stopping passerbys in their tracks. Even the Ferg chefs came outside for a listen! A fun way to finish off the artists Thursday rehearsals. And of course they were rewarded with world-famous delicious burgers courtesy of Fergburger!   Check shots from the evening…

This morning began with school visits. Introducing local kids to classical music, inspiring and stimulating kids to continue or pick up their own instrument.  Young artists April and Stefenie visited St Joseph’s Primary School, Shuan, Hazuki and Cecile went to Te Kura Whakatipu o Kawarau and composer Lucy Mulgan engaged with kids at the Liger Academy.  Stefenie introduced the kids to the clarinet, playing the ‘Peppa Pig’ theme song, which was met with much enthusiasm as they all…