Reflections by Mary Lonsdale Baker
Audience member, supporter, competitor host

Lord Byron wrote “She walks in beauty”. I truly understand these words as I attend the first rounds of the 2026 Michael Hill International Violin Competition in Queenstown, New Zealand. I am entirely surrounded by beauty.

First is the natural beauty of this mountain town. Situated at the foot of the South Island’s stunning Remarkable Mountains on the shore of Lake Wakatipu, this is surely everyone’s idea of a mountain paradise.

Next is the aural beauty of the classical violin music we hear. It is the result of many years of the evolution of musical styles, innovations in music notation, artistic construction of stringed instruments, precision of performance technique, and composition of music that expresses the human experience in sounds rather than words.

Last is the aspirational beauty of these young violinists who gather here to share their dreams and dedication to excellence. They are devoting their intelligence and passion to carry forward the beauty of sound they inherited. These young people will continue to perform and teach and expand the canon of classical music. Theirs are the shoulders on which future musicians will stand.

As a music lover, I am incredibly grateful to be here in this place with this music and with these young artists. Through this experience, I also “walk in beauty”.