NZSM's Free Friday At 5:15 Concert This Week

NZSM's Free Friday At 5:15 Concert This Week: the Virtue of Scholarships

A free concert this week will celebrate 'The Virtue of Scholarships' as part of the Friday at 5:15 series from Te Koki New Zealand School of Music.

The concert will feature students from NZSM playing piano, cello and jazz and all three featured performances celebrate the newest in a host of scholarships and prizes which support students at the School. 

"This year we have awarded three Music Prizes for the first time: the Expressions Piano Trust Prize, the Bal-na-Shee Cello Scholarship and the Niland Prize in Jazz Composition," explains Stephen Gibbs, Events and Marketing Coordinator at NZSM. "Third-year pianist Andrew Atkins and postgraduate cellist Lucy Gjisbers will each perform as inaugural recipients of the first two prizes. Ryan Brake won the inaugural Niland Prize and an octet of performers from the NZSM Jazz programme will play two of his works on Friday.

"Scholarships, Awards and Prizes are an important support for students, not only financially, but as both reassurance and evidence that their efforts are valued by others. Knowing that there are people who want to see them succeed and to become the best musicians they can be is immensely heartening. NZSM has been privileged to be the recipient of many scholarships, prizes and awards and we want, through this concert, to acknowledge the foresight and generosity of these donors and show the kind of excellence they support." 

The NZSM Friday at 5:15 series, now in its fourth year, is a 'downtown' showcase of the extraordinary talent and expertise to be found amongst the staff and students at NZSM. This concert will be in the Ilott Theatre at the Wellington Town Hall on Friday 24 May starting at 5:15 and finishing by 6:15pm – refreshments are available at the venue. 

ENDS

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