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22 November 2011
The winner of the 2011 Pettman/ROSL ARTS International Scholarship is the ESTRELLA QUARTET - Somi Kim (21), Gemma Lee (19), Judy Lee (24), Cindy Tsao (21).
Formed in 2010, Estrella Quartet is the first permanent group of its kind in New Zealand. In their unique combination of four pianists at two pianos, they present a distinctive visual and listening experience. Performing classical to contemporary works, the Quartet’s repertoire includes pieces dedicated to them by leading NZ composers.
Somi Kim, Gemma Lee, Judy Lee and Cindy Tsao are currently studying at the University of Auckland under the tutelage of Stephen De Pledge and Rae de Lisle. In 2010 they were finalists in the Pettman/ROSL Arts International Chamber Music Scholarship. Their performance for the final included the world premiere of David Hamilton’s Tui. The Quartet also presented the NZ premier of Graham Fitkin’s complete works for double piano duo at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre in Auckland, an event that received critical acclaim.
The Estrella Quartet regularly performs in School of Music Lunchtime Concerts and during University of Auckland Open Days. They have played for Read Gainsford and David Lively in master classes, including the New Zealand International Piano Festival. In 2011 they presented a complete eight hands concert as part of the University of Auckland School of Music Emerging Artists Series. Leonie Holmes’ A Tedious Brief Scene: Bottoms Dance, a piece she specially rearranged for the group, was premiered.
The Quartet is the recipient of the University of Auckland Carl and Alberta Rosenfeldt Prize in Chamber Music and the 2011 Auckland Chamber Music Society Competition scholarship. Their performances have been recorded by Radio NZ Concert and broadcast on Asia Downunder (TVNZ).
The Scholarship
The Quartet was selected from 8 different ensembles nominated by the Universities of Auckland, Canterbury, Waikato and New Zealand School of Music at auditions held 19 - 21 November at the Academy of Performing Arts at the University of Waikato, Hamilton.
Three ensembles were selected for the Final Concert in the Dr John Gallagher Concert Chamber, Academy of Performing Arts Centre on Monday 21 November 2011: Estrella Quartet Somi Kim, Gemma Lee, Judy Lee, Cindy Tsao pianos (University of Auckland); Duo Vivo Santiago Canon-Valencia cello, Rafaella Garlick-Grice piano (University of Waikato, Hamilton); Sylventus Hugh Roberts flute, Todd Gibson-Cornish bassoon, Jeremy Woodside piano (University of Canterbury, Christchurch). The Final concert was recorded and will be broadcast on Radio New Zealand Concert.
The adjudicating panel was the PLANE NEARY RAHMAN TRIO: Robert Plane clarinet, Alice Neary cello and Sophia Rahman piano, Michael Houstoun piano, Roderick Lakin MBE, Director of Arts, Royal Over-Seas League and Rodney Slatford OBE former Head of Strings, Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester (UK).
The panel was impressed by the quality of music making which all three groups achieved in the final concert. Any one of the groups would have made a worthy winner. The winners performed with great vitality, musicality and commitment. Individually and collectively they are at an ideal point in their professional development to take full advantage of the intensive performance and coaching opportunities which the scholarship offers.
During the Scholarship weekend, the Plane, Neary, Rahman Trio gave a concert of music by Debussy, Ireland and Beethoven (19 November) All participants had the opportunity for mentoring and coaching from the Plane, Neary, Rahman Trio and the scholarship judges, as well as attending career development and overseas study seminars.
In addition to the Hamilton weekend the Plane, Neary, Rahman Trio concert tour included Purau, Canterbury (13 Nov); Oamaru (15 Nov), Queenstown (17 Nov) Cromwell (18 Nov) Havelock North (23 Nov); opening of the 21st Gisborne Music Competition (24 Nov); and Waiheke Island (26 Nov). Each concert was given in aid of a different charity, including Cure Kids, Hearts and Hands for Haiti, St John, Rotary International, and Save the Children.
Further Information:
Lyn Milne, Director ROSL NZ; PO Box 10, Diamond Harbour 8941 New Zealand.
Tel 03 3294 332; Email royalo-s@xtra.co.nz; www.roslnz.org.nz