Outstanding musicians compete at Graduation Gala concert

Outstanding musicians compete at Graduation Gala concert

Three outstanding classical musicians from the University of Auckland will take to the stage in early May to compete in the annual Graduation Gala Concerto Competition. The concert, established nine years ago, marks the end of the University of Auckland’s May Graduation.
This year’s finalists, who are students at the School of Music, are Lauren Bennett (violin), Jane Sohn (piano) and Bradley Wood (piano). They will perform in front of an audience of more than 1500 people at the Auckland Town Hall, in a bid to win the first prize of $5,000 as well as the chance to advance their solo careers.

Each finalist will play a concerto accompanied by the University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Leo Phillips. Lauren Bennett will perform Violin Concerto No. 1 in D Minor (1st Movement) by Jean Sibelius.Jane Sohn will perform Piano Concerto No.1 in E minor by Chopin, and Bradley Wood will perform Piano Concerto No. 1 in F Sharp Minor by Rachmaninoff.

The winner will be chosen by Ronan Tighe from the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and Associate Professor Allan Badley, Head of the School of Music, with a third judge to be confirmed. The top performer will receive $5,000 with $3,000 for second place and $1,000 for third.

A feature of this year’s popular concert is a newly commissioned work by Leonie Holmes Where the Tui Sings Three Notes for the University of Auckland Chamber Choir, conducted by Associate Professor Karen Grylls. There will also be special guest appearances by Te Oti Rakena (baritone), Morag Atchison (soprano), Robert Wiremu (piano) and James Tibbles (organ).

“The performances we hear every year at the Graduation Gala Concerto Competition demonstrate the outstanding talent and dedication of our students and the exceptional quality of teaching across the School of Music. This wonderful event is both a celebration of success and an inspiration to all who take part or are lucky enough to be there", says Associate Professor Allan Badley.

The University of Auckland Graduation Gala Concerto Competition will be held on Thursday 7 May at the Auckland Town Hall (Queen Street) at 7.30pm. Admission is free; patrons are strongly advised to arrive early to be assured of admission.
Visit the Graduation Gala website www.creative.auckland.ac.nz/gradgala

Bios:
Lauren Bennett is a 19 year-old third-year performance student from Auckland's North Shore, studying violin at the School of Music with Performance Teacher Dimitri Atanassov. She has played as a soloist with many orchestras, including the APO, NZ Pops Orchestra and the Westlake Symphony and Chamber orchestras. Lauren was the leader of the string quartet Geist, which won the NZCT Chamber Music contest in both 2011 and 2012, and then toured China performing with John Chen. In 2013, Lauren was placed fifth at the Kloster Schoental International Violin Competition and received the prize for the best interpretation of a work by Bach. She has played in many master classes, including with Saschko Gawrillof Weidong Tong, Petru Manteanu and Christian Altenburger.

Jane (Ji Hyun) Sohn is a 24 year-old Bachelor of Music student currently studying piano at the University of Auckland with Senior Lecturer Stephen De Pledge. The South Korean-born, Belmont-based musician began her piano study at the age of seven. She has won first prize in numerous piano competitions including; Han-kuk ilbo Piano Competition, Eum-ak Journal, National Teenager Concour, Kyung-gi University Piano Competition, and the National Ministry Music Competition in Seoul. Jane arrived in New Zealand in 2002 where she attended the Corelli School of Arts and performed as a concerto soloist. Through winning competitions in Auckland, she went on to perform with the West Auckland Orchestra and the Auckland Youth Orchestra. Currently she is the Auckland Philharmonia’s Piano Scholar and one of the Lewis Eady Charitable Trust’s Emerging Artist for 2015.

Bradley Wood from Christchurch, now based in Auckland’s central city, is a 21 year-old Honours student at the School of Music majoring in classical performance with Associate Professor Rae de Lisle. He studied under Maurice Till from 2009 - 2011 gaining both ATCL and LTCL Diplomas with Distinction. He has performed with orchestras including the Christchurch Symphony, Nelson Symphony and the Auckland Philharmonia. In 2013 he was awarded the Auckland University's Janetta McStay Prize for Pianists. Bradley was the Auckland Philharmonia's Piano Scholar for 2014. He has been a semi-finalist in both the Wallace National Piano Competition and Kerikeri International Piano Competition. In 2015 he was awarded 1st Prize in the Christchurch National Concerto Competition also winning the Audience Award.

ENDS

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