NZ Guitar Quartet AOTNZ Tour 28 June – 21 July 2017

New Zealand Guitar Quartet AOTNZ Tour 28 June – 21 July 2017

Four uniquely accomplished guitarists bring an infectious energy to the concert stage. Recently returned from concerts in Australia and China, the NZGQ is building an international reputation that transcends geographical borders, and historical ones as well.

While their performances of contemporary and world music gain wide audience appreciation, a return to their roots on this AOTNZ tour will see them pay tribute to a range of artistic styles including gypsy jazz, bluegrass, Celtic and flamenco.

“Technical brilliance and emotional depth” - Christchurch Arts Festival
“Sublime musical entertainment” - Whangarei Music Society
“...nothing less than extraordinary” - Motueka Music Society

Biographies

Jane Curry

Born in the UK and now based in New Zealand, internationally award-winning classical guitarist Jane Curry is Senior Lecturer and Head of the Guitar Programme at the New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington. Jane balances a demanding schedule of solo and chamber music engagements with the coordination of the largest classical guitar programme in New Zealand and is sought after as a soloist, chamber musician and teacher.

Recent concert engagements include concertos with the Orkiestra Ars Longa (Krakow Music Academy, Poland) the Aorangi Symphony (New Zealand), the Capital Concert Orchestra (Canberra) the Nelson Symphony Orchestra and the Kapiti Concert Orchestra (New Zealand). Her chamber music collaborations include Archi d’Amore Zelanda, and the New Zealand Guitar Quartet (NZGQ). In 2016 Archi D’Amore Zelanda, featuring Donald Maurice (viola d’amore), recently returned from concerts in Malaysia, Thailand and Poland. The trio were visiting artists at the International Viola d’amore Congress held at the Krzysztof Penderecki European Centre for Music (Poland). While in Poland the group recorded several Vivaldi and Graupner concertos with the Polish record company Acte Prealable. NZGQ highlights include concerts in Beijing (December 2016), at Centennial Hall, Peking University and the Sunrise Concert Hall, Beihang University. Both groups are committed to commissioning and recording new works and have several CD releases in 2016/2017.

John Couch

New Zealand born John Couch is an Australian based classical guitarist and director of New Zealand’s premier classical guitar festival, the Taranaki Classical Guitar Summer School. He holds a Masters of Music and Post-Graduate Diploma in performance and research, and is a Fellow of the Trinity Guildhall (London).

He has featured on three CD album recordings and has performed in festivals and concert series around Australia, New Zealand, Europe, North America and Asia. He has recorded for ABC Classic FM (Australia), Classic FM (New Zealand), appeared on TVNZ, Radio Canada, HCMTV7 (Vietnam) and as a soloist with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. He has been a finalist and prizewinner in many international guitar and music competitions, including the Taiwan International Guitar Competition, Tokyo International Guitar Competition and the 36th International Guitar Competition “Michele Pittaluga” Italy.

Christopher Hill

Hawkes Bay raised Christopher Hill came to Wellington and completed an honours degree in classical guitar at Victoria University, studying under Bill Bower. Upon graduation he travelled to Spain to study flamenco guitar and while overseas, gave performances in Italy and Portugal. He returned to New Zealand in 2010 to continue a busy career in music, touring on behalf of Chamber Music NZ with the Wellington Guitar Duo, and performing with a number of high profile contemporary ensembles.

Christopher is a creative composer with a keen interest in new music and guitar building. He currently plays as a classical/flamenco guitarist and all-round versatile studio musician.

Owen Moriarty

Owen Moriarty completed his Masters degree in 2003 and headed to the US to study at the University of Southern California (Los Angeles) where he was mentored by top guitar practitioners including LA Guitar Quartet members Scott Tennant and Bill Kanengiser.

As an engaging performer, Owen has had numerous works written for and dedicated to him by top local and international composers. He has toured extensively in New Zealand, completing seven tours on behalf of Chamber Music NZ, and given performances in Australia, USA, Portugal, Mexico, China, Spain and the UK.







Itinerary

Wednesday 28 June 8pm Onekaka
The Mussel Inn $15 Door sales

Friday 30 June 7.30pm Picton
Little Theatre
(Doors and bar open at 7pm)
$20 Book: Take Note Picton, Alyssums Blenheim www.pictonlittletheatre.com and door sales

Saturday 1 July 8pm Balcairn
Balcairn Public Hall
$25 Book: Sefton Garage, Sally Macs Amberley, Stan’s 7 Day Pharmacy Rangiora

Sunday 2 July 2.30pm Darfield
Trinity Church
Adults $15, students $5 Book: Selwyn Gallery Darfield and door sales

Monday 3 July 7pm Lincoln
The Laboratory
$15 Book: Eventfinda or at the Laboratory

Tuesday 4 July 7.30pm Ashburton
Event Centre ‘Open Hat’ No charge prior to the event.

Wednesday 5 July 7.30pm Geraldine
Town & Country Club
$25 book LOUK Clothing, 47 Talbot St 03 693 9070

Friday 7 July 7.30pm Wanaka
Holy Family Catholic Church
$35, members $30, Child Free of Charge Book: Gifted Helwick St Wanaka

Saturday 8 July 3pm Bannockburn
Coronation Hall
Adult $25, Super Gold $20, Student/child $5 Book: Cromwell i-Site

Sunday 9 July 7.30pm Alexandra
The Cellar Door
Adult $25, Gold card $20, Child $10 Book: Alexandra i-Site

Tuesday 11 July 8pm Invercargill
Meccaspresso Café
$27 Book: www.ticketdirect.co.nz or Southland Chamber of Commerce

Thursday 13 July 7.30pm Oamaru
Inkbox Theatre, Opera House
$25 (plus booking fees) Book: www.ticketdirect.co.nz and Oamaru Opera House

Saturday 15 July 7.30pm Hokitika
Old Lodge Theatre
$20 Book: Hokitika Regent Theatre

Sunday 16 July 7.30pm Motueka
Chanel Arts Centre
Adult $20, Child $5 Book: Floral Affaire High St

Wednesday 19 July 7pm Featherston
Kiwi Hall 64 Bell St
Waged $16.50, Group up to 4 adults/4 children $50
Unwaged, FOK, Senior and student $5, Patron $30
Book: Eventfinda and Mr Feathers Den

Thursday 20 July 7.30pm Wanganui
Royal Wanganui Opera House
Adult $28, Senior $25, Friend OH, $23, Student $15, Special rates for school groups
Book: www.royaloperahouse.co.nz or at venue

Friday 21 July 7.30pm Hawera
Repertory Rooms, Collins St
$25 Book: South Taranaki i-site 06 278 8599

Arts On Tour New Zealand (AOTNZ) organises tours of outstanding New Zealand performers to rural and smaller centres in New Zealand. The trust receives funding from Creative New Zealand, support from Interislander, and liaises with local arts councils, repertory theatres and community groups to bring the best of musical and theatrical talent to country districts. The AOTNZ programme is environmentally sustainable – artists travel to their audiences rather than the reverse. (ends)

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