Christchurch Symphony's Winning Partnership

Media Release

Wednesday 15 October, 2003

Christchurch Symphony's Winning Partnership

"A flourishing partnership that has grown in leaps and bounds

over the last decade," judges comment.

AMI Insurance and the Christchurch Symphony have received the top award at this year's prestigious National Business Review Sponsorship of the Arts Awards.

The awards recognise excellence in the partnerships between business and the arts that demonstrate a high level of creativity, commitment and vision.

"This is an excellent outcome to a very rewarding partnership that builds on a long history," said David Catty, General Manager of the Christchurch Symphony.

"In November 2002 AMI extended its 10 year partnership with the Christchurch Symphony by committing to a new four year Principal Sponsorship contract. The significant increase in commitment from AMI has enabled a high level of certainty for the Symphony and the establishment of bold new initiatives to bring both AMI and the Christchurch Symphony closer to the community. The commitment and marketing support given to us from AMI has been recognised at the highest level with this prestigious award."

The partnership includes:

- Financial support of over four years

- The establishment of the Christchurch Symphony Player Development Scheme. As a dedicated scheme to assist members of the orchestra, grants will be awarded on an annual basis to individual players to undertake personal development opportunities such as skills enhancement, music composition or arrangement, or community-based music development - such as performances.

- Founding sponsorship of the orchestra's CD programme

- Founding sponsorship of the orchestra's Tour programme.

"The new initiatives are already benefiting the players and the New Zealand community," Mr Catty said. "We are pleased to be able to this week announce four recipients of the AMI Player Development Scheme for 2003."

One recipient will be attending the world premier percussion symposium in Louisville, Kentucky, in November, and another will receive a contribution towards a scholarship to attend the Eastman School of Music University of Rochester, New York. Two more players will receive contributions towards the costs of performances required to complete their honours' degrees in Music Performance.

"The CD and tour programme have enabled the Symphony to travel further afield than it has done historically," said Mr Catty.

"The feedback we have received from music lovers this year, from Timaru through Hokitika to Nelson, has been overwhelmingly positive and encouraging. As a result [of the partnership] brilliant music is being enjoyed by an ever-widening sector of New Zealanders, within Christchurch, other parts of the South Island, and through the recordings, throughout the country. Isn't that what it's all about!"

"The AMI and Christchurch Symphony partnership goes beyond a simple sponsorship arrangement. Central to the relationship is the support of New Zealand talent, the support of local communities, expanding the horizons of the players, and creating a certainty of the future for the Symphony," said Mr John Balmforth, Chief Executive of AMI Insurance.

"The role of the arts in a community is critically important. The arts nurture creativity, innovation, participation and personal achievement. For this reason, we are very pleased to be able to contribute to the ongoing success and development of the Christchurch Symphony.

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