• CSM Samba Band at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • CSM Concert Band at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • CSM Concert Band at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • Christchurch City Chorus of Sweet Adelines at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • Christchurch City Chorus of Sweet Adelines at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • Christchurch City Choir at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • Christchurch City Choir at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • CSM Camerata Strings at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • CSM Camerata Strings at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • Apollo Musicum at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • Apollo Musicum at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • Christchurch Liedertafel Male Voice Choir at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • Christchurch Liedertafel Male Voice Choir at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • Jubilate Singers at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • Jubilate Singers at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • Paul Wheln accompanied by Chris Archer at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • Woolston Brass at 80th Anniversary, Great Hall Arts Centre on Sunday 7th November 2021

  • 80th Anniversary cake!

  • Invited guests at the 80th Anniversary social function

  • Cutting the 80th Anniversary cake - left to right Wallace Woodley (Life Member); Margaret Austin (President CCMC) and Lianne Dalziel (Mayor of Christchurch and Patron of CCMC)

  • 2022/2023 National Concerto Competition Final - Henry Meng playing "Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor" by Sergei Rachmaaninoff

  • 2022/2023 National Concerto Competition Final - Yuzhang Wu playing "Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini, Op. 43" by Sergei Rachnaninoff

  • 2022/2023 National Concerto Final - Madeline Xiao playing "Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11" by Frederic Chopin

  • 2022/2023 National Concerto Competition - Henry Meng (second prize); Yuzhang Wu (first prize); and Madeleine Xiao (third prize)

  • 2022/2023 National Concerto Final - (left to right) Terence Dennis (Adjudicator); Glenn Riddle (Adjudicator); Henry Meng (second prize); Yuzhang Wu (first prize); Madeleine Xiao (third prize) and Benjamin Northey (Conductor CSO)

  • Marimba's at the Strum Strike and Blow event on Wednesday 6th September 2023 at Wolfbrook Arena.

  • Marimba's in action at the Strum Strike and Blow event on Wednesday 6th September 2023 at Wolfbrook Arena.

  • Recorders at the Strum Strike and Blow event on Wednesday 6th September 2023 at Wolfbrook Arena.

  • Ukulele's at the Strum Strike and Blow event on Wednesday 6th September 2023 at Wolfbrook Arena.

Welcome to Music Canterbury

The Christchurch Civic Music Council  (CCMC) was set up in 1941 to publicise, promote, advocate, support musicians, and encourage audience participation, in partnership with the Christchurch City Council.  During World War 2 it was acknowledged that the arts through music would enrich the lives of people during tough times. James Hay, Sir Hamish Hay, Professors Vernon Griffiths and John Ritchie, Robert Field-Dodgson and many others contributed enormously to the CCMC. They led many initiatives including the formation of the Christchurch Civic Orchestra.

Of course the same is true today during the Covid19 pandemic. On 7th November, 2021, at the Great Hall in the Arts Centre, ten affiliated groups participated to bring music to the audience to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the CCMC.  This was a wonderful, free event, in which many significant Christchurch groups and soloists featured. We value the financial support received from Creative Communities annually and for this very successful concert. Fifty affiliates (including 21 choirs, 9 suburban orchestras and the CSO, 3 bands, 5 Chamber Music groups and 9 groups actively engaged in Music education)  connect to the Council. They can be found on the website, along with their monthly calendar of events.

More recently the CCMC has engaged with the City Council in the development of its Arts Strategy, has advocated for the Christchurch Town Hall restoration and commemorated the end of World War I at Wigram featuring Woolston Brass and Philip Normans Pro Patria performed by affiliates. An Affiliates Journal provides quarterly  updates to keep affiliates informed of activities.

The Calendar includes the National Concerto Competition, an annual music competition for emerging soloists. The finalists perform with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. The CCMC administers legacies for outstanding young musicians, such as the Ruby Hay Pianoforte Competition and the Ernest Empson  Scholarship. Support is also provided for the annual primary and intermediate schools through Strum Strike and Blow. This is an outstanding event involving over 1000 young people and also providing enjoyment to many age groups who come to listen.

For all those engaged in all genres of music in Christchurch/ Ōtautahi, it is essential for them to be able to develop, to be recognised and to be heard. The CCMC is committed to a philosophy of inclusion and diversity. Our city has many wonderful music groups from many backgrounds which must be celebrated and showcased whenever possible.

https://www.facebook.com/MusicCanterbury/