NZSO announces new annual Viola Award

11 June 2015

NZSO announces new annual Viola Award for talented young musicians

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is delighted to announce a new annual award which recognises young musical talent.

The Norbert Heuser Viola Award will be presented to the Principal Viola of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra each year. The Award honours Norbert Heuser, a former NZSO viola player who dedicated 38 years of service to the Orchestra. Born near Cologne, Germany, Norbert studied at the Musikhochschule Köln in Cologne and became a member of the Bonn Orchestra. In 1974, while visiting his brother in the Hawke’s Bay, Norbert successfully auditioned for the NZSO - then the NZBC Symphony Orchestra. Norbert was a much-loved member of the NZSO family and an exceptional musician. He passed away on 15 June 2014.

The Norbert Heuser Viola Award will be presented at the annual NZSO National Youth Orchestra Awards Ceremony which will precede a rehearsal during the Wellington residency of the Orchestra. This year, the Awards Ceremony will be held in Wellington at the Michael Fowler Centre on Thursday 2 July, 9.30am.

The NZSO National Youth Orchestra, now in its 56th year, continues to provide young musicians with excellent opportunities to develop their musical ability and perform with talented colleagues from around New Zealand. Exceptional leadership is provided by internationally recognised guest conductors during the residency and NZSO players provide expert tutoring. Many NZSO National Youth Orchestra players have gone on to perform in some of the world’s best orchestras including our very own New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

This July, 93 talented musicians will join forces with Venezuelan conductor José Luis Gomez to perform a programme of French works inspired by water, including Debussy’s La Mer, Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Ibert’s Flute Concerto featuring NZSO Section Principal Flute Bridget Douglas, and the world premiere of Rainphase written by NZSO National Youth Orchestra Composer in Residence SalinaFisher. The concert series will be presented in Wellington on 2 July and Christchurch on 4 July.

More about NZSO National Youth Orchestra >

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