The NZSM's third orchestral concert of the year features three works, each with their own fascinating background.
In a Shakespearean anniversary year, it seems appropriate to perform the Hamlet Overture by Niels Gade – and, given that Hamlet was the 'Prince of Denmark', also appropriate, as Gade is a Danish composer. This work will be led by conducting postgraduate student Vince Hardaker. 
The Villa-Lobos Cello Concerto No. 2 was first performed by Aldo Parisot with the New York Philharmonic in 1955, and Parisot was NZSM Cello Lecturer Inbal Megiddo's teacher at Yale University. Consequently she will bring a very personal insight into the work to her performance. Read more about that on our News page...
Vaughan Williams was careful to note that his 'Pastoral' Symphony No. 3 had nothing to do with "lambkins frisking at all" – rather its reference is the battlefields of France. The work is a subtle and beautiful elegy for the dead of WWI and a meditation on the sounds of peace.

Pastoral Elegy: NZSM Orchestra
Kenneth Young and Vince Hardaker, conductors; Inbal Megiddo, cello soloist
Wednesday 6 August, 7:30pm, St Andrew’s on The Terrace
Online (through Eventfinder): Adults $19, Seniors/Students $10
At the Door: Adults $25, Seniors/Students $15

This year NZSM has two standard Big Bands plus a Big Guitar Band of 10 players, all directed by Rodger Fox and all three will entertain at the Bristol Hotel on Cuba Street. These Bristol gigs are a highly 'looked-forward-to' event on Wellington's entertainment calendar and audiences are assured of a great night of high-energy big band jazz. Check out images from the first evening this year. Entry is free, the music starts at 8:30pm and runs until late, but savvy patrons turn up earlier for a good seat and to partake of Bristol fare.

NZSM Big Bands Big Night at the Bristol
Bristol Hotel Cuba Street
Thursday 14 August from 8:30pm
Free entry

This will be the fourth annual Jazz Festival hosted by NZSM. Once again, more than 250 secondary school jazz musicians and their music directors will gather in Wellington from 21-23 August for three days of performances, workshops, masterclasses, and competition. 

Special guest artist will be stellar saxophonist Eric Marienthal – LA-based performer and educator. NZSM also hosts the New Zealand Youth Jazz Orchestra and New York-based trombonist Luis Bonilla. While the public is welcome to come into the St James during the day to hear big bands on Thursday 21 August and jazz combos on Friday 22 August, the public evening concerts will be the highlight. 

Lots more information on the Festival webpage: www.nzsm.ac.nz/jazz-festival-2014

7:00pm Thursday 21 August: NZSM presents NZYJO and Luis Bonilla
directed by Dave Lisik and Rodger Fox
incorporating the NZSM Jazz Festival Improvisation Competition
St James Theatre, Courtenay Place
Adults $30, Seniors/Students $15 through Ticketek

8:00pm Friday 22 August: JaZzjAzZJazZ with Eric Marienthal 
NZSM Big Band, directed by Rodger Fox
St James Theatre, Courtenay Place
Adults $30, Seniors/Students $15 through Ticketek 

Book BOTH concerts and save!
Adults $45, Seniors/Students $20 through Ticketek
 

Recovering Forbidden Voices:
responding to the suppression of music in World War Two
This remarkable 'conference' consists of 21 sessions of presentations and performances and includes:
  ~  nine chamber music concerts,
  ~  two orchestra concerts (including a world premiere cantata, a New Zealand premiere cello concerto and staged opera excerpts),
  ~  Brundibár, a children's opera,
  ~  keynote addresses from two international authors and a composer,
  ~  four discussion panels from international and local experts
  ~  and a film screening.

You can see the full programme for the Conference and much more information about presenters, performers and the works on the Conference webpage: www.nzsm.ac.nz/rfv-conference

As well as full conference and single day registrations, it is possible for people to register for individual sessions and a new event 'tour' facility on Eventfinder makes it really easy to mix and match multiple events in a single transaction.
Read more about that here .... and check out the 'tour' page here. 

As a special deal for DawnChorus readers, between now and Wednesday 6 August, you can get a 50% discount on a registration for the full conference – just $165 for all 20 sessions, allocated seating and associated catering. Simply click through on this link before next Wednesday!

Recovering Forbidden Voices:
responding to the suppression of music in World War Two
August 21–25, primarily at St Andrew's on The Terrace, Wellington
Bookings through Eventfinder:
   Full Conference: $330
   Seniors, NZSM and Victoria University Staff and Students: $200
   Single Day: $100

Special for DawnChorus subscribers (until Wednesday 6 August)
50% discount on Full Conference: $165

Recent news has thrown a spotlight on the outstanding achievements (and aspirations) of several of our alumni and current students.

In an outstanding concert performance accompanied by the NZSO, soprano Isabella Moore won the Lexus Song Quest, New Zealand's most prestigious competition for classical voice, securing a $15,000 scholarship, $10,000 cash prize and international return airfare. Current student Christian Thurston (baritone) was placed third and both mezzo Bianca Andrew and tenor Oliver Sewell were among the six finalists.
Read more...

Oliver Sewell has been awarded a full scholarship to the Manhattan School for Music in New York. Bianca Andrew and fellow graduate percussionist Dorothy Raphael, who have been offered places at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, are both looking for support to offset the costs of this study through 'crowd-funding' website Boosted
[Read more here about Bianca and here about Dori...]

Baritone Kieran Rayner, who was a semi-finalist in the 2014 Lexus competition, has also been offered a place in London, at the Royal College. You can support his aspirations for further study by attending his fundraising concert in Wellington on August 16.

And we have just heard that graduate violinist Kate Oswin has been awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal Academy in London. Busy playing with the NZSO at the moment, she'll be off to the UK in September.

Of course there is more, and all to be found on our Events and News pages, including...

~ Music Forums from Daphne Rickson, Nick Tipping and Vicki Thorpe

~ Composer Workshops today, and on 6, 13, and 20 August

~ Lunchtime Concerts from Paul Dyne and colleagues, the Galambos-Winter Violin recipients and our Jazz composers

~ Voice Masterclass with international tenor Simon O'Neill

~ The annual Composer-in-Residence Handover concert with outgoing CinR Jeroen Speak, incoming CinR David Long, and guests Vivian Choi and Long Nguyen

~ A special 'triple feature' concert from international artists Giselle Hillyer (violin), Vivian Choi (piano) and Long Nguyen (bassoon)

all of which are free and open to all!

For some of New Zealand's most talented musicians, the only thing that stands in the way of their dreams is the lack of funds to make them real.

By making a lifetime donation or a gift in your will to the New Zealand School of Music, you can help young musicians to fulfil their ambitions.

For further information on how you can provide support for students at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music, please contact:

Professor Emeritus Barrie Macdonald
Interim NZSM Director
Ph: 04 463 5860
Email: barrie.macdonald@nzsm.ac.nz

or

Victoria University of Wellington Foundation
Ph: 0800 VIC LEGACY (0800 842 534)