The Audience Prize is live... it's time to have your say!  Online voting for our Audience Prize is now open and ready for you to lodge your preferences. Each voter has the opportunity to 'vote' once per round (there are 4 rounds, including the Final). Our voting system is a voter preference system, which means you will rank the players in order of your most 'preferred', with 1 being your favourite. You simply need to follow the link…

In round III each of the 6 semifinalists have performed, in its entirety, one of the four string quintets by Mozart. This round has run over two evenings – with three semi-finalists performing on each night. On stage they were joined by collaborating artists ASHLEY BROWN (cello), AMALIA HALL (violin), GILLIAN ANSELL (viola) and ROBERT ASHWORTH (viola). After two intense evenings of stunning chamber music the grand finale line-up has been confirmed. The three competitors selected to go…

As our first full day in Auckland, it was a busy one of rehearsal and preparation for our Semi-Finalists and an equally busy day for those competitors who were keen to 'give back' and take part in visiting schools around Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. These visits ranged from demonstrations and short informal 'concerts' to active workshops with the school's own ensembles. With this being the first year the Auckland String Sessions has been included in the Michael Hill programme,…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…