College Chamber Music Evening and Auckland District Success

The Saint Kentigern College Chamber Music Evening proved to be a night of gripping performances. From seasoned performers bidding farewell to their secondary school years to first-time chamber musicians, eight chamber groups took the stage, comprising talented college students from Saint Kentigern and other schools. The event was also practice for many of the students who went on to compete at the Auckland District Chamber Contest the following week.

As the Head of Music, Miss Mary Lin welcomed the audience and highlighted the significance of the Chamber Contest, one of the oldest classical music competitions for secondary school students in New Zealand. The rigorous selection process culminated in the top six groups being chosen from over a thousand entries nationwide. The College's commitment to hosting its own chamber program stood as a testament to the belief in nurturing and extending the musical abilities of their students, ultimately benefiting future generations of musicians.

The performances commenced with FVFLD, captivating the audience with their renditions of Josh Gutty's Quintic, featuring intricate percussion layers in irregular meters, and Nathan Daughrey's Rhyme or Reason, a piece known for its mature rhythmic complexity. The following week, Jason Wong, Patrick Yu, Daniel Qin, Max Liu, and Christian Miaomade it through to the finals of the Auckland Contest, as one of two full Saint Kentigern College groups to do so.

TriPi Trio followed, offering a blend of Beethoven's trio, showcasing brilliant melodic ideas, and Schoenfield's Cafe Music, a fun and dynamic composition representing various musical styles. College student and violinist Amy Chen, received Highly Commended for her efforts the following week.

Der Edelstein, composed of top instrumentalists from Year 8 and 9, impressed with their dedication and growth, as they demonstrated their skills in Carl Reissiger's captivating music. The stage was then transformed for a rare treat—a quartet of double bass players, led by Mr John Mietus, whose energy and passion for music were contagious. The concert continued with the cello ensemble Koanga, performing Piazzolla's "Spring" from the Four Seasons, and the Turophonic Turophiles brought the 1800s to life with Felix Mendelssohn's Overture for A Midsummer Night's Dream, arranged for two pianos and eight hands.

Taking a journey to Russia, the Davydov Trio, consisting of talented students, showcased Arensky's piano trio. Amy Chen on Violin, Brendon Tsoi on Cello, and Peter Hu on Piano continued to impress at the Auckland Contest, being named one of twelve finalists among over seventy groups.

The evening culminated with the mesmerizing Babadjanian's piano trio in F# minor, performed by Eva Wu, Charles Sang, and Archie Lamong-Bowden, immersing the audience in a world of rich harmonies and dynamic interplay. They went on to win the Auckland Contest, and we’re extremely proud of College student Charles Sang who displayed incredible musicianship in their performance.

The grand finale featured Catherine Chang, an accomplished alumna, who had the audience spellbound with her rendition of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2 first movement, accompanied by her teacher, Richard Liu. Her remarkable musical journey, supported by the College's music program, was a window into the realm of possibilities for our up-and-coming musicians.

As the night came to a close, the Saint Kentigern College Chamber Music Evening left a lasting impression on all who attended. The dedication of the students, their tutors, and chamber coaches, combined with the support of the audience, showcased the power of music to inspire, uplift, and nurture young talent. Thank you to our incredible chamber coaches Mr Juan Kim, Mr Eric Renick, Dr Lisa Chung, and Mr John Mietus for your input, encouragement, and time into our students.