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Michael Hill International Violin Comp Finalists Announced
Media Release: Thursday 6 June 2013
Canadian violinists Nikki Chooi and Boson Mo, and German Sarah Christian have been named as the three finalists in the 2013 Michael Hill International Violin Competition.
The finalists will each perform a violin concerto with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra in the Grand Final at Auckland Town Hall on Saturday night.
Tonight’s announcement follows an intense six days of competition during which 18 semi-finalists from around the world have performed in the initial rounds in Queenstown, before the top six semi-finalists, Nikki Chooi (Canada), Sarah Christian (Germany), Ioana Cristina Goicea (Romania), Wonyoung Jung (South Korea), Natalie Lin (New Zealand) and Boson Mo (Canada), performed piano trios with Ashley Brown and Michael Houstoun in Round III last night and tonight.
The Competition has had excellent audiences in Queenstown and at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, and this year, for the first time, it has has been live streamed over the Internet with more than 15,000 views to date.
The three finalists were selected by secret ballot by the international jury – Helene Pohl (NZ), Dmitry Sitkovetsky (UK), Christian Altenburger (Austria), James Ehnes (Canada), Ida Kavafian (Armenian/USA), Dene Olding (Australia) and Ning Feng (China).
The Michael Hill International Violin Competition has been held biennially since 2001. The winner receives NZ$40,000, a recording through Atoll, and a winner’s tour in 2013 with Chamber Music New Zealand, and performances with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Harris Theater in Chicago and Musica Viva in Australia and a custom-designed gown from Kiri Nathan or tailored suit by Working Style. Sixth through second prizes receive NZ$1000 to NZ$10,000. Additional prizes include an award for Best Chamber Music player of NZ$2000, and text and online voting determines the winner of the Michael Hill Audience Prize.
Tickets for the Michael Hill International Violin Competition Grand Final on Saturday 8 June, at Auckland Town Hall are available from the Aotea Centre Box Office, by phoning 0800 BUY TICKETS (289 842) or online at www.buytickets.co.nz
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