National Concerto Competition – Alumni

SEMI-FINALIST PRIZE WINNERS AND FINALISTS

The audience at The Piano were treated to six amazing performances from our Semi-finalists on Wednesday evening. It was commented our competitors seem to get better and better each year and our Adjudicators, Terence Dennis and Glenn Riddle commented there were at least four or five other competitors who could have easily made the semi-final!   

Please see below links to our Semi-final prize winners and the announcement of our three Finalists to play on Saturday 18th March 2023. More information about the Final will be available early in the new year.

Semi-Finalist prize winners

Finalists – 18th March 2023

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NATIONAL CONCERTO COMPETITION FINAL – JUNE NEWSLETTER

Please see link below to the National Concerto Competition June Newsletter which includes photos from the Final.

Concerto Newsletter – June 2021

Further photos are available on the Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/National-Concerto-Competition-138524480058612

 

Catherine Kwak (First prize)

 

Hyein Kim (Second prize)

 

April Ju (Third prize)

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NATIONAL CONCERTO COMPETITION FINAL – RECORDING BY RNZ CONCERT

 
As you may or may not know  RNZ Concert recorded the National Concerto Competition Final on Saturday night.
 
It will be replayed this coming Thursday 24th June in the On Stage segment from 1.00pm to 3.00 p.m.
 
If you weren’t able to make the Final or would like to have another listen this is a great opportunity.

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2021 NATIONAL CONCERTO COMPETITION FINAL RESULTS 

Wow! What an fantastic Final we have had this evening at the James Hay Theatre with a great audience in attendance.
 
I must congratulate all 3 Finalists who played amazingly – well done to them all.
 
Photos of the evening will be available over the next week. Watch this space..
 

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2021 NATIONAL CONCERTO COMPETITION FINAL  – THIS SATURDAY

Drama, tension, excitement – our three finalists will be giving it their all at this Saturday’s National Concerto Competition Final. Don’t miss it! Book now https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=CONCERTO21

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A Message from The National Concerto Competition – SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT

Message From The National Concerto Competition Trustees

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2021 NATIONAL CONCERTO COMPETITION FINAL  – REMINDER

Just a few weeks to go now until the Final on Saturday 19th June 2021.  

See attached link for information on Finalists and ticketing

National Concerto Update – Reminder – May 2021

Please also follow the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/National-Concerto-Competition-138524480058612/ as we have some interesting input from the Adjudicators Roger Brown and Malavika Gopal about “What they are looking  for at the Final”? and “Why is the National Concerto Competition Final important for young kiwi musicians”.

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2021 NATIONAL CONCERTO COMPETITION FINAL – NEW DATE – SATURDAY 19TH JUNE 2021

Please see below link to the Press Release with information regarding the new date and ticketingEverything else remains the same!
 
 
Please share this with your friends or organisations – we need to get the word out very quickly. Thanks.

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2021 NATIONAL CONCERTO COMPETITION FINAL – POSTPONEMENT

“The upcoming Grand Final of the New Zealand’s National Concerto Competition, due to take place in Christchurch this Saturday 6th March, has been impacted by the latest community outbreak of COVID-19 in Auckland and the associated Alert Level change across the country.
 
The Competition Trustees are in the process of postponing the event, subject to venue and other availabilities. The event will be re-scheduled! All ticket holders will be directly communicated with by Ticketek, when the the new date is confirmed”
 
If you have tickets please hold on to these as they will be be valid for the new date.
 
Please share this with your friends or organisations – we need to get the word out very quickly. Thanks.

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2021 National Concerto Competition Final – Tickets on sale now!

Please see link below for an update detailing the  Finalists and information about purchasing tickets for the Final on Saturday 6th March 2021, 7.30 p.m. at James Hay Theatre, Christchurch Town Hall

National Concerto Update – January 2021

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SOME PHOTOS FROM THE SEMI-FINAL …

2020/2021 National Concerto Competition Semi-Finalists (left to right): Noah Rudd (Auckland), April Ju (Christchurch), Catherine Kwak (Auckland), Enshean Lin (Palmerston North), Ben van Leuven (Lower Hutt) and Hyein Kim (Auckland)

 

The Semi-Finalists with Adjudicators (left to right): Robert Orr (Wellington, NZSO), Roger Brown (Wellington, former NZSO) and Malavika Gopal (Wellington, NZSO)

OUR FINALISTS ….

2020/2021 National Concerto Competition Finalists: (left to right)
April Ju (Christchurch), Hyein Kim (Auckland) and Catherine Kwak (Auckland)

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DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

Please see link below for the December Newsletter detailing the Semi-Finalists and Finalists of the 2020/2021 National Concerto Competition.

Concerto Newsletter – December 2020

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SEMI-FINALIST PRIZE WINNERS AND FINALISTS

An appreciative audience were treated to 6 amazing performances from our Semi-finalists on Wednesday evening. It was commented our competitors seem to get better and better each year!  Unfortunately only 3 progress through to the Final.

Please see below links to our Semi-final prize winners and the announcement of our 3 Finalists to play on Saturday 6th March 2021. More information  about the Final will be coming very soon.

Semi-Finalist prize winners

Finalists – 6th March 2021

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SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED!!!

Please see below attachment for the Semi-Finalists which were announced earlier this afternoon.

Semi-Finalists

Semi-Final is tonight (Wednesday 9th December), 7.30 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. at The Piano, 156 Armagh Street, Christchurch

Door sales – Adults $20.00; Student/Child $10.00 – Cash or Eftpos.  Doors open at 6.30 p.m.

Come along, support these amazing young musicians and be wowed!!

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COMPETITION – REMINDER!!   

Just a reminder the Preliminaries is starting on Tuesday 8th December at 10.30 a.m. and going through to 1.00 p.m. on Wednesday 9th December.

Semi-Final is Wednesday 9th December at 7.30 p.m.

Please see link below for further details:

Concerto Update – Reminder – December 2020

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2020/2021 COMPETITION UPDATE  ….

Please see below for the latest information on the Competition. Entries have closed and we have 38 Instrumentalists! 

This is going to be a great competition.

You will find links to:

  • Concerto Update – October 2020 – includes dates, session times and ticket pricing 
  • Rehearsal Schedule  – please note the Rehearsals are not open to the public.
  • Preliminary Schedule – begins at 10.30 a.m. on Tuesday 8th December 2020
  • Information for Contestants 

Concerto Update – October 2020

Rehearsal Schedule

Preliminary Schedule – updated 5.12.20

Information for Contestants

 

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CANCELLATION – NATIONAL CONCERTO COMPETITION FINAL

Please find attached a media statement from Michael Lawrence, Chairman of the National Concerto Competition regarding the cancellation of the 2020 Final.

https://musiccanterbury.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Letter-2020-Final-Cancellation-1.pdf

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URGENT – POSTPONEMENT – NATIONAL CONCERTO COMPETITION FINAL

The Trustees made a decision to postpone the 2019/2020 National Concerto Competition Final over the weekend.

It will be re-scheduled for later in the year. If you have purchased tickets these will be re-allocated to you once a new date has been confirmed

Please see media statement which was released today at 11.00 a.m.

https://musiccanterbury.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Letter-2020-Final-Postponement-1.pdf

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Concerto Newsletter – February 2020

Please see the February Newsletter which has information regarding the Final and the link to our webpage for purchasing tickets.

A reminder the Final is Saturday 21st March 2020, 7.30 p.m. at James Hay Theatre, Christchurch Town Hall. Our three Finalists are listed below.

Ticket prices are as follows:

  • Adults = $40.00
  • Senior = $35.00
  • Groups of 6 or more = $30.00
  • Student/Child = $15.00

Come along and support these amazing young musicians and be wowed!

https://musiccanterbury.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Concerto-Newsletter-February-2019.pdf

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Here are our Semi-Finalists:

2019/2020 National Concerto Competition Semi-Finalists. Left to right: Gabriel Baird (Christchurch), Lixin Zhang (Christchurch), Ashani Waidyatillake (Auckland), Marianna Kang (Hamilton), Samuel Jeon (Christchurch) and Leon Chen (Auckland)

And our three Finalists:

2019/2020 National Concerto Competition Finalists: Left to right: Lixin Zhang (Christchurch), Leon Chen (Auckland) and Ashani Waidyatillake (Auckland)

More photos are available on our Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/National-Concerto-Competition-138524480058612/

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Semi-Finalist prize winners and Finalists

An appreciative audience were treated to 6 amazing performances from our Semi-finalists on Friday evening. It was commented our competitors seem to get better and better each year!

Please see below links to our Semi-final prize winners and the announcement of our 3 Finalists to play on Saturday 21st March 2020. More information to come about the Final in the new year.

https://musiccanterbury.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Semi-Finalist-prize-winners-2.pdf

https://musiccanterbury.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Finalists-21st-March-2020-1.pdf

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Semi-Finalists Announced …..

Please see below the 6 Semi-Finalists who will compete on Friday 6th December 2019, 7.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. at The Piano, 156 Armagh Street. Door sales available – Adults $20.00 and Student/Child $10.00. Cash and Eftpos.

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2019/2020 Piano Competition Update …..

Please see below for the latest information on the Competition. Entries have closed and we have 17 Pianists! You will find links to:

  • Newsletter “Reminder”
  • Rehearsal Schedule
  • Preliminary Schedule
  • Information Pack for Contestants

https://musiccanterbury.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Concerto-Newsletter-Reminder-November-2019-1.pdf

https://musiccanterbury.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Rehearsal-Schedule-8.pdf

https://musiccanterbury.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Preliminary-Schedule-6.pdf

https://musiccanterbury.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Information-for-Contestants-Piano.pdf

 

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OUR WINNER

Diane Huh from Auckland who played “Violin Concerto in D Minor, Op. 47 by Sibelius”
Photo supplied by
https://www.facebook.com/jadespencephotography/

SECOND PRIZE

Isabella Gregory from Christchurch who played “Flute Concerto” by Ibert.
Photo supplied by
https://www.facebook.com/jadespencephotography/

THIRD PRIZE

Hyein Kim from Hamilton who played “Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33 (Cello) by Tchaikovsky.
Photo supplied by
https://www.facebook.com/jadespencephotography/

 

PEOPLE’S CHOICE PRIZE:

Diane Huh

JUNIOR JURY PRIZE:

Hyein Kim

 

 

 

MARCH 2019 Newsletter …

Concerto Newsletter – March 2019

THE PRESS REVIEW …

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/111518331/National-Concerto-Competition-Violinist-a-worthy-winner-of-Christchurch-finale

 

WINNERS OF 2019 FINAL ANNOUNCED …

Winners – 23rd March 2019 Please see attached  the Winners from tonight’s amazing National Concerto Competition Final 2019.  A large audience were treated to outstanding performances from the 3 Finalists accompanied by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra conducted by David Kay.  Photos to come in a week or so …..  watch this space!

FEBRUARY 2019 NEWSLETTER …

Concerto Newsletter -February 2019  Please see attached newsletter for information about the Final of the 2018/2019 National Concerto Competition.  The newsletter has information on the Finalists; Ticketing and Ticket prices. 

 

OUR FINALISTS …

2018/2019 National Concerto Competition Finalists (left to right) Isabella Gregory (Christchurch), Hyein Kim (Hamilton) and Diane Huh (Auckland).

SEMI-FINALISTS …

2018/2019 National Concerto Competition Semi-Finalists (left to right) Isabella McDonald, Isabella Gregory, Isaac Shatford, Diane Huh, Hyein Kim and Noah Rudd

SEMI-FINALISTS IN ACTION …

Hyein Kim (Hamilton) playing “Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33 (Cello) by Tchaikovsky. Hyein is accompanied by Francis Cowan.

 

Noah Rudd (Wellington) playing “Concerto in D major for Oboe” by Strauss. Noah is accompained by Kent Isomura

 

Isaac Shatford (Christchurch) playing “Violin Concerto No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63” by Prokofiev. Isaac is accompanied by Alison Holden.

 

Diane Huh (Auckland) playing “Violin Concerto in d Minor, Op. 47” by Sibelius. Diane is accompanied by Kent Isomura.

 

Isabella McDonald (Hamilton) playing “Schelomo-Rhapsodie Hebraique for Cello and Orchestra” by Bloch. Isabella is accompanied by Francis Cowan.

 

Isabella Gregory (Christchurch) playing “Flute Concerto” by Ibert. Isabella is accompanied by Tim Emerson.

 

Semi-Finalists with Adjudicators (left to right) Bridget Douglas, Isabella McDonald, Isabella Gregory, Isaac Shatford, Ashley Brown, Diane Huh, Hyein Kim, Tessa Peterson,
and Noah Rudd

 

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED for 2018/2019 COMPETITION ….

Finalists – 23rd March 2019

Semi-Finalist prize winners

A good sized audience was treated to 6 amazing performances last night at The Piano!  Many congratulations to all the Semi-Finalists and Finalists.

Please see attached link for the Finalists of the 2018/2019 National Concerto Competition which will be held on Saturday 23rd March 2019, 7.30 p.m. at Aurora Centre, Burnside High School.  The Finalists will be accompanied by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra.  More information about the Final will be available early next year.

I have also attached a link to the Semi-Finalist prize winners!

Photos of the Semi-Finals will be posted on this page and this Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/National-Concerto-Competition-Alumni-1702704523356440/

 

 FINALISTS PERFORM  …

Muse Ye in action!  Muse played “Piano Concerto in G Major” by Maurice Ravel

 

Lixin Zhang in action! Lixin played “Piano Concerto No. 1 in Eb Major, S. 124” by Franz Liszt

 

Modi Deng in action! Modi played “Piano Cocnerto No. 3 in D minor, Opus 30” by Sergei Rachmaninoff

 

OUR WINNER…

Modi Deng won 1st prize and also the Junior Jury award! Well done Modi!

SECOND PRIZE …


Lixin Zhang won 2nd prize and also the People’s Choice Award.  Well done Lixin!

THIRD PRIZE …

Muse Ye won 3rd prize.
Well done Muse!

SOME MORE PHOTOS …

Ben Northey (Conductor of Christchurch Symphony Orchestra) with the 3 Finalists

 

Dopplerganger Trio – Burnside High School Chamber Group perform at the Finals – Michelle Kim (Flute); Rochelle Kim (Flute) and Anne Jeong (Piano)

 

Graeme Wallis presenting to Howard and Judy Harvey due to Howard’s retirement as Executive Manager of the competition

 

Judy and Howard Harvey

 

MARCH NEWSLETTER

Concerto Newsletter – March 2018  Please see attached link for the March 2018 Newsletter.

WINNERS OF 2018 FINAL ANNOUNCED …

Winners – 3rd March 2018  Please see attached for the Winners from last night’s wonderful National Concerto Competition Final 2018.  The 3 Finalists were outstanding as were the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ben Northey.  Photos to come in a week or so …..  watch this space!

 

SOME ALUMNI NEWS ….

Matthias Balzat was a solo artist in the  National Youth Orchestra’s concert which was held on Friday 2nd February 2018 at the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch.

Matthias was a National Concerto Competition Co-Winner in 2014 and the Grand Winner in the 50th Competition held in March 2017.  Please see attached link for the concert review by Christopher Moore …

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/art-and-stage/christchurch-music/101156298/national-youth-orchestra-a-fabulous-showcase-of-young-talent

 

JANUARY 2018 NEWSLETTER …

Concerto Newsletter – January 2018  Please see attached newsletter for information about ticketing for the Final on Saturday 3rd March 2018.  Please note:  Change of Venue – the Final is now being held at the Charles Luney Auditorium, St Margaret’s College, 12 Winchester Street, Christchurch.

 

PHOTO’S!  SEMI-FINALISTS …..

Semi-Finalists. Left to Right: Modi Deng, Noelle Dannenbring, Esther Wu, Leon Chen, Lixin Zhang and Muse Ye

SEMI-FINALISTS IN ACTION ….

Leon Chen (Auckland) playing “Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30″ by Sergei Rachmaninoff accompanied by Sarah Watkins.

 

Lixin Zhang (Christchurch)  playing”Piano Concerto No. 1 in Eb Major, S. 124″. Accompanied by Michael Lawrence.

 

Esther Wu (Auckland) playing “Piano Concerto in A Minor, Op. 16” by Edvard Grieg. Accompanied by Sarah Watkins.

 

Muse Ye (Christchurch)  playing “Piano Concerto in G Major” by Maurice Ravel. Accompanied by Luong Khanh Nhi

 

Noelle Dannenbring (Rotorua) playing “Piano Concerto No. 1 in E Minor, Op. 11” by Frederic Chopin. Accompanied by Sarah Watkins.

 

Modi Deng (Auckland) playing “Piano Concerto No. 3 in D Minor, Op. 30” by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Accompanied by Sarah Watkins.

 

OUR FINALISTS …..

2017/2018 National Concerto Competition Finalists:
Left to Right – Modi Deng (Auckland); Lixin Zhang (Christchurch) and Muse Ye (Christchurch)

 

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER …

Concerto Newsletter – December 2017   Please see attached link for our latest December Newsletter.

 

FINALISTS ANNOUNCED ….

Firstly congratulations to all 6 of our Semi-Finalists – we were treated to some outstanding performances last night at The Piano.  We have some photos coming of the evening in the next few days so keep an eye out …..

Finalists – 3rd March 2018  Please find attached a list of the 3 Finalists who will play in the Final on Saturday 3rd March 2018, 7.30 p.m. at the Aurora Centre, Burnside High School.  Tickets for this event will be available via www.ticketek.co.nz from Monday 29th January 2018!

 

 SEMI-FINALISTS ANNOUNCED ….

Semi-Finalists  Please find attached the Semi-Finalists for tonight’s Semi-Final starting at 7.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. at The Piano, 156 Armagh Street, Christchurch.

Tickets are via door sales:

Adults $20.00

Students $10.00 (under 14 years of age)

Cash or EFTPOS available.

 

REMINDER – Competition starts tomorrow – Thursday 7th December …

Concerto Newsletter – Reminder December 2017   Please find attached information regarding the Competition which starts tomorrow – Thursday 7th December …  If you are in town we would love to see you …

Update from 2017/2018 National Concerto Competition ….  this year it is a PIANO competition!

You will see below information regarding the 2017/2018 Piano Competition – I will be updating the page regularly so keep an eye on it and also on the Facebook page!

Preliminary Schedule

National Concerto Preliminary Programme 2017  Please find attached the Preliminary Schedule.

Rehearsal Schedule

Rehearsal Schedule  Please find attached the Rehearsal Schedule – Preliminary Schedule to follow soon.

Concerto Newsletter – October 2017

Concerto Newsletter – October 2017  Please see link for information relating to the Preliminaries and Semi-Finals.  This gives you dates, time, venue and ticket pricing!    If any of the Alumni are around at this time – we would love to see you – so pop into The Piano!

Soon to follow …..   Preliminary Schedule ….

Please also see us on Facebook by following this link:

https://www.facebook.com/National-Concerto-Competition-Alumni-1702704523356440/

 

Welcome to the National Concerto Competition – Alumni page!

After the wonderful success of the 50th competition and making contact with a large number of Alumni we would like to keep you up to date with the latest information regarding future Competitions!

Some Alumni News …

I thought some of the Alumni would be interested in the below link.  It features an article on Bradley Wood.  Bradley was the winner of the 2014/2015 Piano Competition.  We wish Bradley well for his future studies in London!

https://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/christchurch-life/96095424/young-christchurch-musicians-taking-flight-thanks-to-excellence-awards

Jubileee Compendium Booklet

A Jubilee Compendium Booklet was produced for the 50th (you might already have purchased one) which details about each Finalist, where they have been and what they are doing now.   Please see attached link for this NCC Jubile Booklet Final Copy 1.6.17.  However if you would like a hard copy of this publication please email the Secretary at: secretary@musiccanterbury.co.nz.  Cost of the Booklet is $10.00 + postage.

Alumni Benefactor Almanac

The Trustees have also decided to establish an Alumni Benefactor Almanac.  Please see attached link which has further information and an opportunity to donate NCC Alumni Benefactor Almanac.  Your donation would be most gratefully accepted and assures the future of this wonderful Competition!