Students given headstart by Masonic Trust

Wednesday 15 August 2006

Announcement from Freemasons New Zealand

Talented music students given headstart by Masonic Trust

Recipients of the Lankhuyzen / Whetu-Kairangi Masonic Trust Music Awards have been announced, with awards being presented to promising music students in very different fields. The winners of the two major prizes, valued at $3000 each, are tenor James Rodgers, who will shortly commence the second of his two-year Masters programme at the Manhattan School of Music, and Kapiti violinist Blythe Press, who in September will take up an invitation to study at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Graz, Austria, under highly respected Professor Yair Kless.

As with last year, applications for financial assistance from the Trust closed in June. In addition to the two major prizes, several smaller grants were also made.

The latest grants take the total amount awarded over the past two years to nearly $20,000. Past recipients include a pianist, flutist and composer, as well as vocalists and violinists, with the majority of winners taking on study at highly regarded overseas institutions with internationally renowned tutors.

The Masonic Trust was constituted in 2005 in memory of deceased member and sometime Master of Lodge Whetu-Kairangi, Peter Lankhuyzen who had a keen interest in music, particularly choral work. Income from its funds, derived from a bequest under Mr Lankhuyzen’s will, is used to assist students to undertake further study in all areas of music with preference being afforded to Wellington residents or those studying in the Wellington region.

The Lankhuyzen / Whetu-Kairangi Masonic Trust would like to congratulate this years winners, and is proud to be helping talented musicians reach their goals.

For details about this and other Masonic Trusts, visit www.freemasons.co.nz/masonic_trusts

ENDS

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