“Enjoyable, enlightening, stimulating!” “Please keep up the wonderful job!”
“Love the variety of events!”
In 2018 the University of Auckland offered a taste of the future of New Zealand music, throwing open its doors with the second School of Music Festival. Highlighting the School’s diverse and dynamic musical life, the festival featured student-staff collaborations, recitals, concerts and presentations.
Opera Scenes
The future of opera in New Zealand unfolded before our eyes with the return of one of the year’s musical highlights. This year we enjoyed a vocal feast of repertoire set as a vaudeville show straight out of 1910 New York. This fabulous production was made possible through generous support from The Wallace Foundation.
DOG Jazz Quartet
Once again our staff jazz quartet gave a performance with bite. The award-winning DOG, led an upbeat performance which left audiences hot under the collar!
Grad Gala
Celebrating Spring Graduation and our outstanding School of Music students, four talented soloists each performed a concerto with the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra. Also featured were prolific performances from our popular music and jazz Big Band students, topping off one of the musical events of the year!
At the School of Music we are committed to providing our students with as much performance experience as possible. Each year we present over 80 events which serve as a platform upon which our students can unlock their artistic potential.
By bringing local and international music professionals and our students together, we aim to inspire both performance and career development. Our events afford the opportunity for students to shine in front of family, friends and industry professionals, and are an integral part of their study.
Opera Scenes: Open Rehearsal
Secondary school students and teachers joined us for a sneak peek inside the rehearsal studio as our University singers put together the final touches of their highly-anticipated 2018 Opera Scenes production.
APO Inspire: Our Voice
A fine afternoon spent experiencing selected School of Music students developing into accomplished composers. The participants developed their compositional techniques for brass and percussion trios, with a little help from our friends at the APO. This event was part of the APO Inspire Partnership Programme.
Nanny Assis
Learning from the best, we hosted New York-based singer, percussionist and instrumentalist Nanny Assis. A big name in Brazil, Nanny presented a folkloric rhythm workshop, serving up musical traditions of Salvador.
Fermata Presentation
Senior Lecturer Dr Te Oti Rakena fronted this special Festival Fermata where he presented his research into The Healing Potential of the Vocal Arts in Communities Impacted by Historical Trauma.
David Samuel in Recital
APO Associate Principal Viola, David Samuel, presented a varied programme of solo repertoire including works ranging from Bach to Penderecki. He was joined by Dr Sarah Watkins on piano, concluding the concert with a special performance of Shostakovich’s final composition.
Karlheinz Company: Suffrage 125 Celebration
Marking 125 years of women’s suffrage in New Zealand, contemporary music ensemble the Karlheinz Company presented an inspiring programme of works by female composers from New Zealand and overseas. Bringing together School of Music students, staff, alumni and some very special guests, this timely event celebrated our history whilst looking forward to our future.
Korimako Trio
in Concert
Popular student ensemble Korimako Trio turned heads in 2017 when they were announced winners of the Pettman/ROSL Arts Chamber Music Scholarship. We were thus delighted to welcome them back to the Music Theatre to perform their graceful fusion of violin, cello and piano.
Franklin Cohen Clarinet Masterclass
Generous funding from the Seelye Charitable Trust provided for a two-week residency for acclaimed, Grammy-winning clarinetist, Franklin Cohen. This special masterclass presented a valuable opportunity to learn from Franklin’s complete mastery of the clarinet, attained through a lifetime of dedicated practice.
Anna Nathan Early Keyboard Prize Concert
We travelled back in time with early keyboard performances from students competing at this enchanting annual prize concert. Flaunting our fine historic keyboard collection, contestants battled it out to win prizes kindly sponsored by long-standing University supporter, Anna Nathan.
Special Lunchtime Concert: Suffrage 125
Students and staff performed side-by-side in this special lunchtime concert, celebrating 125 years of women’s suffrage in New Zealand. The occasion was acknowledged with passionate performances of works and repertoire by female composers.
Clarinet Weekend
A full weekend of masterclasses, interactive clinics, competitions, ensembles and concerts, open to all ages and levels. Hosted by the School of Music’s Dr Marie Ross, the weekend featured exciting guest clinicians: Seelye Fellow Franklin Cohen, NZSM’s Dave Wilson and yoga and breath expert, Scott Milham.
Franklin Cohen in Recital
We welcomed back distinguished clarinetist and 2018 Seelye Fellow, Franklin Cohen for an intimate evening performance. This exclusive and up-close recital allowed for an exciting encounter with the musical mastery of our virtuoso in residence!
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With thanks to our Festival partners and supporters APO, Freemasons Foundation, SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music, CJC Creative Jazz Club Aotearoa and The Wallace Foundation.