In 2020 the GIMC was open only to New Zealand musicians after years of attracting competitors from around the world.
Then the 2021 event was cancelled altogether.
That forced the GIMC board to reconsider the future and then to reconfigure the competition's original format.
After some hard decision-making the event's future is now looking better than ever.
“We have a partnership with Chamber Music New Zealand, and that will involve a lot of community engagement work and a lot of work in schools. I'm excited about it,” said Dame Bronwen.
“It was timely to rethink, refresh, and reinvigorate the GIMC, while being true to its goals of advancing music education in Gisborne and enhancing the educational, experiential, and career opportunities for young musicians.”
The Covid-19 landscape changed the musical landscape, she said. Young musicians were keen to work with others in ensembles. So the boards of the GIMC and Chamber Music New Zealand (CMNZ) have now announced a three-year partnership, whose focus will be on delivering an annual music-based community engagement programme for Tairāwhiti.
“Chamber Music New Zealand's vast experience in delivering high-quality, intuitive community engagement programmes throughout the country makes them the ideal partner,” Dame Bronwen said.
Gretchen La Roche, chief executive officer of CMNZ and also the daughter of Ian Dunsmore, one of the founders of the competition, said the GIMC Trust grappled with how they could continue to support the Gisborne community. To their credit they were ultimately wise enough to change direction.
“It widens the net in working together and it will more effectively develop initiatives throughout the year, which is what people in Gisborne are interested in,” Ms La Roche said.
“It will bring concerts in from CMNZ such as Bird Like Men, for Matariki. It will support classes and other good musical work happening here. Gisborne is always a rich area in creativity, and it will offer a year-round programme.
“It will include tutoring for students and help support institutional learning on the ground.”
CMNZ will administer all aspects of the programme on behalf of the GIMC and hold workshops, mentoring programmes, music-based residencies and touring concerts each year.
The programme will have three areas of focus — Learn, Create, and Connect — and it starts this month. The intention is to benefit as wide a range of participants of all ages and musical experience as possible, including people living with disabilities, at-risk youth, and students from intermediate and secondary schools.
“We can work together to make sure what we do is positive, and we respond to needs here,” Ms La Roche said.
“It's an evolving programme. The trust has backed it with an ongoing commitment for three years and the work will evolve and respond to the community it's serving.
“Many people hold the competition fondly in their hearts, and have a connection with Gisborne through the competition. This next iteration is exciting.
“Once again the GIMC Trust is leading the way. The partnership is unique, it's special and shows creative thinking.”
Dame Bronwen said Gisborne would enjoy a broad offering of chamber music through the partnership.
“The fostering of New Zealand music will continue,” she said.
“We're championing music across the spectrum. It's in the genes of the competition to value original music and we'll continue to embrace that.”
Kerrin Vautier, chair of the CMNZ Trust board, said CMNZ was passionate about providing communities throughout Aotearoa New Zealand with opportunities to enjoy a diverse range of music experiences up close.
“We are delighted that this partnership with the GIMC enables us to present to the people of Gisborne an array of programmes bespoke to them, reflecting their unique voice and designed for people from all parts of the community.”
Since its early days in the period after Cyclone Bola, the GIMC has strived to support New Zealand musicians and to give back to the Gisborne community. And the community has responded with tremendous support from people billeting musicians, sponsors and donors, musicians, collaborative pianists, jurors and the wider musical community.
“We thank you all and are steadfast in continuing to seek ways we can provide a range of music opportunities for the people of our community,” Dame Bronwen said.
“Over the years the competition has played an important role in the economic, social and musical life of the community.
“This is refreshing and reinvigorating the GIMC. Those who started it would be delighted. The original purposes of establishing the competition still hold true now.
“It's a really exciting step forward.”