Opera school finds new chair in founder

When founder Donald Trott returns to Wanganui in January for the 19th New Zealand Opera School, it won't be as its director.

With the sudden death of the school's board of trustees chairman Bryan Wyness last Friday, Mr Trott is taking over the role.

"The role of board chairman is very important and I do understand it so it is far better we look for a new director of the school," he said.

He said the workload during the year in the run-up to school was enormous and Mr Wyness, a former chief pilot for Air New Zealand, had been a tower of strength and always had everything completely sorted.

"He was my right-hand man. It's difficult to even comprehend running this school without him. But I will move aside from being director and take over Bryan's role. It is better this way and I've done it before," Mr Trott said.

He said it was fortunate there were also some new trustees coming on board including Wellington opera singer Rodney McCann who was on the board of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation.

Now heading into its 19th year, (the school runs from January 3-15), Mr Trott said the live-in school for young New Zealand singers to develop their skills had always been was a special love of Mr Wyness.

"He loved this school and loved meeting all the young singers, the tutors, the musicians. He was here every year staying at Collegiate with his wife Marion."

Mr Trott said on August 30, the final of the Lexus Song Quest will feature three students from the 2012 Opera School "which is totally wonderful for the school and Bryan was just thrilled".

He said Mr McCann, one of the new trustees, had visited the school over the past two years and been delighted with what he had experienced.