A wonderful opportunity for young musicians throughout Aotearoa

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Four young males with percussion instruments on stage in suits — This year the **Judith Clark National First Place Award** went to St Peters College, Olive Tree. Musicians are: Dennis Liu - Clarinet, Aronui Williams - Clarinet, Tino Wu - Bass Clarinet and Hamish Bell - Alto Saxophone

Freemasons Foundation again supported New Zealand’s annual Chamber Music Contest - which continues to grow year on year, providing an opportunity for young musicians around the country to perform together, connect with other musicians and develop their skills through its unique coaching programme. The competition offers valuable experience for students developing their musical confidence, interpretation, accuracy and performance preparation.

3 young females playing the violin in a theatre — **The Joan Kerr National Third Place Award** went to Viva La Violin from Burnside High School. Musicians are: Vivian Gao, Fifian Zhao and Janetta Pechybortseva.

A Gisborne teacher noted - “I loved the initiative with CMNZ coaching - it was such an important and cherished opportunity that many small towns like Gisborne don’t get for their upcoming musicians.”

The Contest this year culminated in a wonderful National Final at The Piano in Christchurch. This year the Judith Clark National First Place Award went to Olive Tree, performing Trees in the Desert Suite, by Carvin Knowles (NZ). Olive Tree musicians are: Dennis Liu - Clarinet, Aronui Williams - Clarinet, Tino Wu - Bass Clarinet and Hamish Bell - Alto Saxophone - all of St Peters College, Auckland.

Young males in a line meeting and shaking hands with adults on a stage

Final Winners:

This year the Judith Clark National First Place Award went to Olive Tree, performing Trees in the Desert Suite, Mvts 1, 2, 3, 4, by Carvin Knowles (NZ). Olive Tree musicians are: Dennis Liu - Clarinet, Aronui Williams - Clarinet, Tino Wu - Bass Clarinet and Hamish Bell - Alto Saxophone - all of St Peters College, Auckland.

This year, the Helen Young National Second Place Award went toFrançaix Trio, performing Trio for Flute, Cello and Piano, Mvts. 1, 2, 4, by Jean Françaix

Françaix Trio are: Ella Yihan Zhang (King’s College) – Flute, Jaydon Ma (Kristin School) – Cello, and Iris Youran Guo (ACG Parnell College) – Piano.

The Joan Kerr National Third Place Award went to Viva La Violin (Morton Music), performing Burlesque for Three Violins & Capriccio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 2, by Friedrich Hermann. Viva La Violin are: Vivian Gao – Violin, Fifian Zhao – Violin, and Janetta Pechybortseva – Violin – all of Burnside High School.

The National Award for the Best Performance of a New Zealand Work went to

Olive Tree, performing Trees in the Desert Suite, Mvts 1, 2, 3, 4, by Carvin Knowles (NZ). Olive Tree musicians are: Dennis Liu - Clarinet, Aronui Williams - Clarinet, Tino Wu - Bass Clarinet and Hamish Bell - Alto Saxophone - all of St Peters College, Auckland.

The National KBB Music Award went to

Simple Solutions, performing Ockham’s Razor for Saxophone Quartet by Paul Stanhope. Simple Solutions musicians are: Lawrence Liu - Soprano Saxophone, Lara Diprose - Alto Saxophone, Jaden Lee - Tenor Saxophone, Wilson Li - Baritone Saxophone - all of St Kentigern College.

The National Adjudicator’s Award went to

The Swiss Watchmakers, performing La Valse by Maurice Ravel arr. Sana Fujimori.

The Swiss Watchmakers are: William Ding (Wellington College) – Piano, Kaydi Chin (Chilton Saint James School) – Piano, Miles Lin (Wellington College) – Piano, and Amelia Liu (Queen Margaret College) – Piano.