Hamish McKeich will judge the ensembles. Photo / Supplied
It is time again for the annual NZ Community Trust Chamber Music Contest, with the competition now in its Golden Jubilee Year.
It started in a small way in 1964, the brainchild of the late Arthur Hilton who was passionate about music making and wanted schoolchildren to be involved in
this activity.
Presented annually by Chamber Music New Zealand, it is the only nationwide chamber music competition for secondary school musicians and composers in the country. Sponsored initially by the Bank of New South Wales and now by the NZ Community Trust, this year it involves almost 1800 students in 476 ensembles. The purpose is to encourage young musicians, regardless of standard or experience, to perform together and strive towards excellence.
More than 260 Hawke's Bay musicians in 68 groups will perform in the HB District Contest in the Napier Municipal Theatre on Friday, June 12, with sessions at 9.30am, 1pm, 4pm and 7pm; and at 9.30am the following day.
The district final is at 4.30pm on the Saturday, when eight groups will be recalled to perform again. There are two adjudicators for this district - Tom McGrath from the the music department of the University of Otago and orchestra conductor Hamish McKeich, who works extensively with the NZSO.
