Homegrown compositions performed in Christchurch

Homegrown compositions performed in Christchurch

29 July 2004

The hottest young things in New Zealand music are preparing to battle it out at Saturday¹s New Zealand Community Trust Chamber Music Contest National Final. Held for the first time in the South Island this year, the National Final will include the performance of two New Zealand compositions at the James Hay Theatre on Saturday 31st July at 7pm.

Christchurch¹s The Ahi Trio play with passion and fire when they perform New Zealand composition Ahi, by Gareth Farr. Ahi means Œfire¹ in Maori and composer Gareth is over the moon that the trio are performing his piece. He says, "I'm absolutely thrilled that The Ahi Trio have been selectedŠthe piece is by no means an easy one, and I sincerely congratulate them on their achievement!"

A special highlight of the National Final will be the performance of the winning work in the Original Composition section of the contest. Wellington student Karlo Margetic won the SOUNZ prize of $500 and will perform his winning composition Zemljotres with The Zemljotres Quintet.

Eight groups are competing for a place in the chamber music version of New Zealand Idol. The eight groups selected are Auckland¹s Nacio Para Tocar, Bogi Voinu, Shared Affections and Furiant, Wellington¹s The B Naturals and Christchurch¹s The Ahi Trio, Sierenes and Tacet.

The winning group of the National Final wins the de Croÿ Arts Trust School¹s Prize of $10,000, awarded proportionally to the groups¹ schools and the Arthur Hilton Memorial prize of $400 each. Second place getters will receive the de Croÿ Arts Trust prize of $2000 to be distributed amongst the players¹ schools.

All participants in the National Final receive a Flexi Pass to the 2005 Celebrity Season concerts in the centre of their choice.

The contest continues to produce some of the best young performers in New Zealand. Previous entrants have included violinist Malavika Gopal and pianist John Chen. Malavika recently won both top awards at Rotorua¹s Unison Concerto and John won first prize at the 8th Sydney International Piano Competition this month.

Touring Australian musicians Duo Sol will be adjudicating at the National Final. And as a special one off, they are holding masterclasses for the National Final participants over two days prior to the event. These masterclasses are supported by funding from the Stout Trust.

Chamber Music New Zealand acknowledges major funding from New Zealand Community Trust and Creative New Zealand.

ENDS

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