Music competition begins on Monday

Gisborne International Music Competition musicians last year found time to accompany ukelele-playing students at Makauri School. File picture

Pizza and a screening of Whale Rider at Wainui Beach is planned tonight to welcome entrants to this year’s Gisborne International Music Competition before the first round begins on Monday.

The international event that has attracted young musicians from as far as Copenhagen, Dallas and Singapore, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.

GIMC focuses on core instruments that make up an orchestra. These include violin, viola, cello, trumpet, trombone, French horn, flute, clarinet, bassoon and harp.

“The competition really is highly regarded,” says Gisborne International Music Competition manager Mark La Roche.

“Everywhere I go in Australia, people say ‘oh, you have that international music competition in Gisborne, New Zealand’. There are not many competitions like this for orchestral instruments. Many of the musicians who come here for the event will go on to perform with orchestras or get good positions around the world.”

One GIMC prize-winner from previous years is now concert master for principal orchestras in Sydney.

The Herald cannot reveal the 42 competitors’ names until Monday but two local GIMC regulars — flute players Anna Cooper and Lauren Grout — are pursuing further training and careers so will not be here for the event. Among entrants from around the world and nationwide, only one is a Gisborne musician — and is also undertaking further music education overseas.

While in Gisborne, GIMC musicians will be involved in several community engagements.

A handful of musicians will perform for residents at Leighton House rest home on Wednesday.

A chamber music coaching session will be held for Gisborne Girls’ High students on Thursday morning before GIMC musicians visit Whangara School in the afternoon.

Musicians will perform for the public at the ever-popular Concert Under the Leaves at Marina Park on Saturday at 12:30pm.

People are welcome to attend the free first round performances from Monday to Wednesday and the semi-finals on Friday at the War Memorial Theatre.

Entry to the final on Saturday at 7pm is $10 for adults and free for students.