Young violinist adds a sparkle to Mother’s Day

Dynamic young violinist adds a sparkle to Mother’s Day

Ben Morrison, the 16 year old violin star from Christchurch, performs a special Mother’s Day concert with the Auckland Philharmonia on Sunday 11 May during the orchestra’s 2003 Telecom Pops series.

Ben, currently in his 11th year at Burnside High School, has been compared to a young Stephane Grapelli. He recently signed to international record label Rajon Music Group and later this month releases his first CD, Début, a mixture of classical and jazz with two new tracks recorded with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guard, one of which was written by Dire Straits guitarist Mark Knopfler.

Ben began studying the violin with the Suzuki method at the age of four. Aged just 14 he passed his ATCL (Trinity College) with distinction, toured New Zealand with Hayley Westenra as a special guest artist, and performed twice in concert with the Christchurch Symphony.

In 2002 he made his US début, performing in concert with Hayley Westenra at the McCallum Theatre in Palm Desert, California. Bruce Fessier, writing for The Desert Sun, said: “The violinist Ben Morrison almost stole the show when he returned in the second act, generating a spontaneous standing ovation for his deft technique.”

Other recent highlights include performing with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guard at the Brisbane Arts Festival; winning, with his group The Morrison Quartet, the national final of Chamber Music New Zealand’s schools music contest; performing at the Best of the Best concert in Rotorua; and being the supporting act for Sir Cliff Richard’s concert at the Mission Vineyard in Napier. In October Ben begins a 10 venue tour of the US as the headline act in the Best of New Zealand concerts.

Ben, who has his own style and a great stage presence, will play a range of jazz, gypsy and light classics in his concert next month with the Auckland Philharmonia. Sunday 11 May – 7.30pm, Auckland Town Hall Adult tickets from $30. Phone the Ticketek Orchestra Hotline on 307 5139. Telecom Pops is sponsored by Telecom New Zealand with support from MORE FM.

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