Day 5 – The competition is on the move – from Queenstown to Auckland

Day 5 is travel day - flying all 16 Competitors and backstage team up to Auckland for the semi-final and finale performances at the Auckland Town Hall. It was a particularly early start for our 6 semi-finalists - who gathered on the shores of Lake Whakatipu for a final photoshoot in the early morning light. If you couldn't get to Queenstown or catch any of the livestreams for the first two Quarter Final rounds - never fear! Our…

Find out MoreDay 5 – The competition is on the move – from Queenstown to Auckland
Day 3 – Creative contrasts dominate the early rounds
James Roberts

Day 3 – Creative contrasts dominate the early rounds

Rain has come to Queenstown and there is talk amongst the locals that... "if the temperature continues to drop on the Crown Ranges it might just snow"... This part of New Zealand's South Island is a place full of extreme contrasts, something that is also reflected so beautifully in this competition with the incredible range of repertoire performed across the eight days. Round 2 is our chance to hear from all 16 competitors again but a particular highlight…

Find out MoreDay 3 – Creative contrasts dominate the early rounds
Day 2 – Sampling violins like tasting fine wine…
James Roberts

Day 2 – Sampling violins like tasting fine wine…

Day 2 in Queenstown New Zealand and it is a picture-perfect winter's day. The session began bright and early with our Insider's Guide presentation at 9:30am. Michael Hill Fellowship recipient KiHei Lee unraveled some of the mystery behind Paganini the violinist and composer in her talk The Devil's Violinist. She offered some fascinating insights to help enhance the audience's listening experience ahead of the 16 competitors' various Paganini presentations. Kihei's talk will also be repeated at 1.30pm ahead…

Find out MoreDay 2 – Sampling violins like tasting fine wine…
Day 1 – a little dance and polyphony to begin…
James Roberts

Day 1 – a little dance and polyphony to begin…

Day one of the competition and there is a great sense of anticipation building around Queenstown's Memorial Centre. The brilliant Queenstown and Wanaka-based teams have front-of-house and backstage duties under control and those of us down from Auckland are covering general logistics for performers, marketing, communications, media, sponsors and social media... Our competitors are being well looked after by incredibly supportive local families who are 'hosting' these young artists for their stay in Queenstown. By 1:00pm the tempo…

Find out MoreDay 1 – a little dance and polyphony to begin…
The 2023 Michael Hill Violin Competition has commenced…
James Roberts

The 2023 Michael Hill Violin Competition has commenced…

The Michael Hill International Violin Competition was officially opened this evening, with a warm, intimate gathering of competitors, fellows, judges, host families, sponsors and supporters. Hosted by Sir Michael Hill and Lady Christine Hill, the international guests were formally welcomed with a Powhiri by the Arrowtown Primary School kapahaka group followed by an inspiring speech from competition founder, Sir Michael Hill. Perhaps the most highly anticipated moment of this event is the announcement of the 'draw' for the…

Find out MoreThe 2023 Michael Hill Violin Competition has commenced…

Reflections from 2019 winner Anna Im

Anna Im, the current reigning Michael Hill winner took some time out between recording and performing engagements to share some fond memories from her time in New Zealand during the last Michael Hill International Violin Competition in 2019.  Are there any special memories that stand out for you when you recall from your time attending the Michael Hill International Violin Competition? Attending the Michael Hill International Violin Competition was truly a memorable experience. One particular memory that stands…

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Michael Norris discusses collaborative composition piece for 2023 MHIVC
Composing in the modern age

Michael Norris discusses collaborative composition piece for 2023 MHIVC

Ahead of the 2023 Michael Hill International Violin Competition, we spoke to Michael Norris, this year's Composer of the NZ Commissioned Work, about his creation of 'Waipounamu' - an original musical work. The work will be performed live by all 16 quarter-finalists in Queenstown on 4-5 June 2023. The role of the work within the competition is to demonstrate a young artist’s individual interpretive skills and identify a competitor’s capabilities with contemporary repertoire – in the absence of…

Find out MoreMichael Norris discusses collaborative composition piece for 2023 MHIVC

RECORD ENTRIES IN NEW ZEALAND’S ‘VIOLIN OLYMPICS’

Media release Tuesday, 20 December 2022 RECORD ENTRIES IN NEW ZEALAND’S ‘VIOLIN OLYMPICS’ – MICHAEL HILL INTERNATIONAL VIOLIN COMPETITION RETURNS JUNE 2023 New Zealand’s globally regarded Michael Hill International Violin Competition, supported by the Hill Family Foundation for Arts and Music, returns in June 2023 and entries for the 11th event have broken all previous records, with 160 young violinists from across the word vying for one of the coveted 16 quarter-finalists spots. Violin and classical music lovers…

Find out MoreRECORD ENTRIES IN NEW ZEALAND’S ‘VIOLIN OLYMPICS’