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Creative ID: 418

Art form(s): Music
Language(s): English
Based in: Wellington
Where I'm available:
Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Canterbury, Hawke’s Bay, Marlborough, Nelson – Tasman, Northland, Otago, Waikato, Wellington, Whanganui – Manawatu
When I'm available: We are available in Wellington and other areas throughout 2023 in March, April, May, June, August and September as touring schedules permit. We are available during school hours. (and after school on non-concert days).

My arts or creative practice (including details about my specific focus within that art form/practice and my strengths)

Over the past 34 years, our Quartet has established an international reputation for insightful interpretations, compelling communication and dynamic performing style. We are renowned for versatility and have enjoyed collaborating with musicians from all over the globe in a range of classical, jazz, and world music genres. Recent collaborations have included performances with taonga pūoro artists and Chinese traditional musicians, jazz groups and soloists, dancers from the Royal New Zealand Ballet, as well as other classical musicians from Aotearoa and abroad. We specialise equally in performing classical music repertoire from the last four centuries and brand-new music, particularly written by New Zealand composers.

Our collaborations and repertoire lists can also be found on our website; information is also available about or musicians, their experience, and expertise.

My track record of experience and success - or the track record of experience and success of the creative or artist that I will partner with

The Quartet performs over 100 concerts to popular and critical acclaim each year in Aotearoa and internationally. In recent years the group has toured to Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom on a regular basis as well as performing in Mexico, Curaçao, Korea, Australia, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Sweden and China. Our violinist and violist are co-artistic directors of a biennial chamber music festival, regarded as one of the foremost festivals of its kind in the southern hemisphere. The three longest-serving members have each been awarded the MNZM honour for services to music in New Zealand. The Quartet have produced acclaimed recordings of both classical and contemporary repertoire, and have won a New Zealand Music award for their recordings of New Zealand music. Our full discography can be found on our website, and on youtube, vimeo, and spotify.

Describe the experience you have had working with children or young people, teaching or facilitating creative processes

Dedicated teachers as well as performers, our education programmes align with our touring to reach young people across Aotearoa of all ages and musical backgrounds. We partner with schools, El Sistema programmes, and music education groups to deliver education sessions to both primary and secondary level students. Each year we run a multi-day course in Wellington at the New Zealand School of Music for secondary school ensembles. The annual summer school gives New Zealand’s talented string and piano students the chance to hone their skills and reach beyond their expectations.

We have experience working with groups of all abilities, from children to adults, in relaxed and formal presentation settings. Some may never have seen a string instrument up close before, some are learning instruments, and some are advanced and wish to become professional musicians themselves. We work with schools to offer a programme that suits learning outcomes and connects with other learning. Recent concerts at primary level have included a work written especially for us by an internationally acclaimed children’s writer, and a New Zealand composer, and draws on Māori myths to describe musical expression and narrative.

The ensemble has been Quartet-in-Residence at the New Zealand School of Music at a New Zealand university for many years, where the members hold associate professor and lecturer positions. Recent education events have included a number of key events, along with coaching at secondary schools throughout the country. We hold residencies at universities in the USA and Canada, giving masterclasses for tertiary students. We host primary school concerts presenting our programmes and workshops for young string players.

Why I want to be part of the Creatives in Schools programme and how my involvement will link to my creative practice

Our vision is to provide world-class chamber music that engages, and reflects the rich diversity of Aotearoa’s culture to the world. Our charitable organisation exists to serve our community by enriching lives through our music. We are committed to inspiring and nurturing the next generation of New Zealand musicians and introducing chamber music to young New Zealanders. The Creatives in Schools programme provides a wonderful opportunity to spark and deepen musical connections that can last a lifetime. Regular workshops with a group of students offers them not only stimulating musical experiences, but also encourage students to develop socially, build a sense of community, self-respect, and mutual support with their peers. We develop education and community outreach programmes that maintain and showcase our high artistic quality and expertise as music educators. We seek to nurture the next generation of music lovers, and watching students become comfortable expressing themselves and in a musical environment is hugely inspiring for us too.

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