Whilst the spotlight of “The Michael Hill” is understandably on the competitors, we present a comprehensive programme designed to raise the awareness of fine music and the standard of musical performance in Aotearoa. Opportunities are generously offered for our local violinists to learn directly from the experts, and engage with their international peer group. Inspiring the next generation of talent is a huge part of our kaupapa.

Win or not, the value of partaking in competitions is the hard graft the musicians put into their preparation to be at their absolute peak. The intensity they encounter through the rounds is unparalleled in any other environment.

For those violinists invited to partake in the Michael Hill, workshops addressing a range of skills, such as communication skills and community outreach delivery, are offered.
The Michael Hill genuinely wants every violinist to leave New Zealand stronger and more insightful than when they arrived. To this end, the Competition judges provide personal feedback to the quarter-finalists not advanced to the Round III semi-finals.

Masterclasses are provided by Competition judges to competitors not advancing to the Final Round.

A customised professional development programme to meet the needs and goals of the winner. Commencing with exercises to identify the artist’s strengths and areas for development, the winner is personally guided by Andrea Duncan, a NZ leading specialist in coaching exceptional performance in the board room, Olympic field, or concert hall. The bulk of the professional development is undertaken during the Winner’s Tour.

Past winners have developed skills and confidence in public speaking, branding, stage presence, media training, maintaining and managing influential stakeholders, stress management, etc.

Every Michael Hill winner has said that their Winner’s Tour was the most significant part of their prize package because it provided an opportunity unlike any other to develop and test their artistry in a thrilling pressure-cooker experience – a multi-city performance tour of New Zealand and Australia with recitals, a concerto and a recording.

Masterclass Series – presented by Competition judges for tertiary violinists and ensembles at New Zealand’s universities. Participating artists are selected by their teachers to play and learn alongside Competition competitors. Free and open to the public.

Christchurch 29 May Clara-Jumi Kim
Christchurch Masterclass
Clara-Jumi Kang
Wednesday 29 May
4:00pm – 6:00pm
CSO rooms, Unit 2, 4 Klondyke Drive, Hornby, Christchurch 8042
To register: Selena Orwin, selena.orwin@cso.co.nz, 03 943 7797 (W), 0274 979 299 (mob)

Wellington 30 May Anthony Marwood
Wellington Masterclass
Anthony Marwood
Thursday 30 May
9:30am – 11:30am
Room 211, New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington
REGISTER HERE

Auckland

Thursday 6 June (free of charge, open to the public by registration)
10:00 – 12:00pm James Ehnes Masterclass, Philharmonia Hall, 427 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden
12:00 – 2:00pm Mauricio Fuks Masterclass, Philharmonia Hall, 427 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden
5:30 – 7:00pm Clara-Jumi Kang Masterclass, School of Music, University of Auckland
REGISTER HERE

Friday 7 June  (free of charge, open to the public by registration)
10:00 -12:00 Anthony Marwood Masterclass, School of Music, University of Auckland
12:00 – 2:00 Ning Feng Masterclass, School of Music, University of Auckland
REGISTER HERE

Workshops – led by Competition judges and competitors (free of charge, open to the public by registration)

Auckland 8 June
10:00am – 12:00pm Violin play-along for violinists, grade 7 and higher, of all ages with Wilma Smith, School of Music, University of Auckland

Tighten up your bow and play-along with Competition judge, and New Zealand favourite Wilma Smith. Wilma will lead the assembled through a workshop designed to build violin technique and sound production. Suitable for violinists of all ages grade 7 or higher. Registered violinists will be emailed music for the workshop and are expected to come prepared.
Prokofiev: March from Love for Three Oranges
Dvorak: Songs My Mother Taught Me
Shostakovich: Three Pieces for Two Violins

2:00 – 3:30pm Suzuki Violin, for students and their families, School of Music, University of Auckland
4:00 – 6:00pm Development Workshop for NZCT Chamber Music Contest ensembles with Dene Olding, School of Music, University of Auckland

REGISTER HERE

Classroom Conversations – held in local colleges in Central Otago and Auckland, these inspirational yet informal ‘meet the artist’ sessions and workshops explore the pathways taken by rising international artists who are usually just a few years older than secondary students.

Queenstown 30 May  12:30 – 1:50pm Wakatipu High School

Auckland 5 June 1:50 – 2:50pm Diocesan School for Girls, Auckland Grammar School, St Cuthbert’s College

Varsity Violin – “The Michael Hill” encourages live attendance at Competition rounds from New Zealand’s university violin students and works closely with tertiary institutions to create and deliver incentives making such attendance more affordable whilst enhancing the engagement with our competitors who are largely, in the same peer age group.

Rehearsal Attendance  – Offered in Queenstown and Auckland, students, and families with young children (under 8) are invited to attend Competition rehearsals at no cost.

NZCT  Chamber Music Contest

Chamber Music New Zealand’s Auckland District finals of the NZCT Chamber Music Contest takes place at 5-9 June at the Raye Freedman Centre where Aotearoa’s talented music students compete in this perennial national tournament for small ensembles.  The budding musicians are striving for excellence which goes hand in hand with the objectives of the Michael Hill.  It makes for a feast of music for those who spend the day supporting the students at the Raye Freedman Centre in Epsom, and then head to the Auckland Town Hall in the evenings for fine entertainment, pure musical indulgence and supporting the grittiest of international competitions.

Please contact office@violincompetition.co.nz for more information or to register

Masterclass Series – presented by Competition judges for tertiary violinists and ensembles at New Zealand’s universities. Participating artists are selected by their teachers to play and learn alongside Competition competitors. Free and open to the public.

Christchurch 29 May Clara-Jumi Kim
Christchurch Masterclass
Clara-Jumi Kang
Wednesday 29 May
4:00pm – 6:00pm
CSO rooms, Unit 2, 4 Klondyke Drive, Hornby, Christchurch 8042
To register: Selena Orwin, selena.orwin@cso.co.nz, 03 943 7797 (W), 0274 979 299 (mob)

Wellington 30 May Anthony Marwood
Wellington Masterclass
Anthony Marwood
Thursday 30 May
9:30am – 11:30am
Room 211, New Zealand School of Music, Victoria University of Wellington
REGISTER HERE

Auckland

Thursday 6 June (free of charge, open to the public by registration)
10:00 – 12:00pm James Ehnes Masterclass, Philharmonia Hall, 427 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden
12:00 – 2:00pm Mauricio Fuks Masterclass, Philharmonia Hall, 427 Dominion Rd, Mt Eden
5:30 – 7:00pm Clara-Jumi Kang Masterclass, School of Music, University of Auckland
REGISTER HERE

Friday 7 June  (free of charge, open to the public by registration)
10:00 -12:00 Anthony Marwood Masterclass, School of Music, University of Auckland
12:00 – 2:00 Ning Feng Masterclass, School of Music, University of Auckland
REGISTER HERE

Workshops – led by Competition judges and competitors (free of charge, open to the public by registration)

Auckland 8 June
10:00am – 12:00pm Violin play-along for violinists, grade 7 and higher, of all ages with Wilma Smith, School of Music, University of Auckland

Tighten up your bow and play-along with Competition judge, and New Zealand favourite Wilma Smith. Wilma will lead the assembled through a workshop designed to build violin technique and sound production. Suitable for violinists of all ages grade 7 or higher. Registered violinists will be emailed music for the workshop and are expected to come prepared.
Prokofiev: March from Love for Three Oranges
Dvorak: Songs My Mother Taught Me
Shostakovich: Three Pieces for Two Violins

2:00 – 3:30pm Suzuki Violin, for students and their families, School of Music, University of Auckland
4:00 – 6:00pm Development Workshop for NZCT Chamber Music Contest ensembles with Dene Olding, School of Music, University of Auckland

REGISTER HERE

NZCT  Chamber Music Contest

Chamber Music New Zealand’s Auckland District finals of the NZCT Chamber Music Contest takes place at 5-9 June at the Raye Freedman Centre where Aotearoa’s talented music students compete in this perennial national tournament for small ensembles.  The budding musicians are striving for excellence which goes hand in hand with the objectives of the Michael Hill.  It makes for a feast of music for those who spend the day supporting the students at the Raye Freedman Centre in Epsom, and then head to the Auckland Town Hall in the evenings for fine entertainment, pure musical indulgence and supporting the grittiest of international competitions.

Please contact office@violincompetition.co.nz for more information or to register