2026 NZCT Chamber Music Contest

New Zealand’s largest chamber music contest of its kind is back, with preliminary district rounds starting in June. This year, there are more than 1500 students comprising 407 groups taking part, and also 22 original student compositions submitted for the Original Composition category of the contest.

Since its inception in 1965, the Contest has been a much-anticipated yearly event where young musicians can meet their peers, challenge themselves, learn new skills, and experience the joy and power of performing live music together.

Over the years, the range of music performed at the Contest has broadened, and we’ve been delighted to see some truly creative ensembles and performances of music by Pharrell Williams, The Beatles, Coldplay and Lorde alongside more traditional pieces by Mozart, Beethoven, and Ravel. Many students also choose to perform works by contemporary New Zealand composers like Anthony Ritchie, Salina Fisher and Leonie Holmes, as well as original compositions by their peers. We’ve also seen more variety in instrumentation, including steel pan drum and acoustic guitar ensembles.

The best groups from the District Rounds will go on to compete in the Regional Finals in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch on 27 June, where finalists will be selected to compete for the ultimate prize, the Judith Clark National First Place Award, in the National Finals, this year held in Christchurch on 1 August.

For many years, the Foundation has supported the contest’s coaching programme. This sees professional musicians holding workshops with the participants, giving them invaluable practical guidance on their performance.

District Finals

Auckland – 7 June

Hawke’s Bay – 5 June

Wellington – 7 June   

Christchurch – 11 June

Regional Finals

Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch – 27 June

National Final

Christchurch, 1 August