We hold regular events at both national and branch level, which both members and non-members can attend.
You can also find details of events held by our colleagues in music education here.
Save the Date – Annual Conference 2020
16-19 January 2020
Bridging Cultures: Beethoven 250 and Beyond
King’s College, Otahuhu, Auckland
Convenors: Sarah Watson and Dianne James
Celebrate the Beethoven 250 year in style with a Conference in which his monumental legacy of music will be the springboard for an enriching smorgasbord of lectures, concerts, masterclasses and workshops. With our own internationally-renowned NZ String Quartet in residence, NZ pianist Stephen De Pledge providing the piano expertise, and sessions for woodwind and voice teachers, there will be something to satisfy all interests.
More details on the Conference 2020 website page.
Our annual conferences are a great way to network with like-minded colleagues.
The 2019 Conference “Southern Themes and Variations” was held in Dunedin in January.
Read the inaugural Judith Clark Memorial Address that was given by Emeritus Professor John Drummond – see also Presenter’s biography.
Northland Branch Events
IRMT Northland Scholarship Class
$500 prize
Set music is Bach Two-Part Invention No. 6
“no repeats please”
Northland Performing Arts Competitions (NPAC)
Senior Vocal 30 August-1 September
Vocal Under 12: 14-15 September
Piano and Instrumental: 21-22 September
Entries close on 5th July. See www.northlandperformingarts.org.nz
Upcoming Events
Sun 21 July – “Last Night of the Proms”, Exhibition Hall, Forum North by Northland Sinfonia, Whangarei District Brass and Whangarei Choral Society
Sun 11 Aug – Memory/Beginners Prom, Cafler Suite, Forum North (IRMT event)
Sun 17 Nov – Mini recitals, Old Library (IRMT event)
Sun 30 Nov – Soiree, Cafler Suite, Forum North (IRMT event)
Sun 1 Dec – WYM End of Year Concert, Forum North
Sun 8 Dec – Christmas Concert, Old Library (IRMT event)
For IRMT events, door charge adults $5, children free.
Auckland Branch Events
Wallace National Piano Competition 2019: 18 – 21 July 2019
Thursday evening: opening ceremony
Friday & Saturday: competition rounds 1 and 2
Saturday: finalists announced at conclusion of last round
Sunday 10am: masterclass for non-finalists. FREE entry for public
Sunday 3pm: Grand Final and Awards Ceremony
With support from The Lewis Eady Charitable Trust, The Wallace Trust, Templar Family Office, Creative NZ Communities, and The University of Auckland.
The biennial Wallace National Piano Competition is a premiere platform for tomorrow’s musicians. Bringing together 15 of New Zealand’s best young pianists, adjudicator Charles Owen (Professor of Piano, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, London) will select four Grand Finalists to compete for prizes totalling over $20,000. This competition has inspired, surprised and delighted music enthusiasts since 2013.
Be part of the journey – join us and watch the bright future of classical music unfold.
For more information, please visit http://www.lect.co.nz/wallace-national-piano-competition-2019 or email the Competition Administrator at
For all media enquiries, please email the Competition Marketing Coordinator at
IRMT Auckland Branch Scholarships
Friday 6 through Sunday 8 September
Adjudicators: Ludwig Treviranus will be adjudicating the Piano classes and Camille Wells will be adjudicating the Woodwind class. Margaret Lindsay is confirmed as the Vocal Adjudicator (the String class adjudicator is yet to be confirmed).
Closing date for entries is Friday July 19th 2019. Please put these dates in your diary and encourage your students to work towards these Scholarship classes. The first prize for each class is $350. The Margaret Doone Memorial Piano Sonata Scholarship has a first prize of $1000, second prize of $500 and third prize of $250. For those who are not prize winners there is still the benefit of having this performance opportunity, and the receipt of a report for each performance.
Thelma Gordon Memorial Awards
This is a reminder that the Thelma Gordon Awards are available in the following categories:
Scholarship Award of $1000.00 to be given to the candidate with the highest mark in the ATCL Teaching Diploma. The Pass mark must have been attained.
Scholarship Award of $1000.00 to be given to the candidate with the highest mark in the DipABRSM Teaching examination. The Pass mark must have been attained.
Scholarship Award of $500.00 to be given to the candidate with the highest mark in the ABRSM Grade 8 Theory examination. A minimum mark of 80 (Merit) must have been attained.
In the event of more than one candidate attaining the same mark, the Award will be shared equally between the recipients.
Candidates must have been studying with or being mentored by an IRMT Auckland Branch teacher at the time of entering the examination in 2019. See Thelma Gordon Scholarship Grant for more details.
The Thelma Gordon Teacher Training Grant of $360 is awarded to successful applicants undertaking the Teacher Training Foundation Course run by IRMTNZ.
This is an initiative from the Auckland Branch to encourage those teachers less experienced to further develop their teaching skills. The Grant is made possible through the Thelma Gordon Memorial Bequest and covers the full cost of the three parts of the Foundation Course. Applicants must have been taught or mentored by an IRMT teacher in Auckland, preferably within three years prior to the application. The minimum practical standard must be Grade 8 and working towards a Diploma, University Music Degree, or a Post-Graduate course for Instrumental teaching. Applicants must be residing in the Auckland area.
Auckland Teachers Forum
Auckland Branch runs Teaching Forums hosted by Susan Smith and Fiona Bygrave. Excitingly, we now have many more new, young and innovative teachers joining the Institute, so are hosting Mentoring sessions. For details of the next forum, please email: or call 021 2652 628
Student Performers Groups
North Shore – St Aidan’s Church 97 Onewa Road, Northcote
Enquiries: Melody Deng
Selwyn – St Luke’s Church, Remuera Road
Enquiries: Sharon Martin 09 528 3878 or
Eastern – Howick Children’s Youth Theatre, 29 Granger Road, Howick
4pm on 10 August; 21 Sep; 2 Nov
Festival to be held at All Saints Church, Selwyn Road, Howick
Enquiries: Susan Theron 021 0291 272 or
Mediant – St Cuthbert’s College Performing Arts Centre, Room 203 Market Road, Epsom
2:30pm on 15 September; 10 November
Enquiries: Geoffrey Hinds 09 630 3267 or
Southern – Old Central School, 57 Wood St, Papakura $5 per family
Enquiries: Gina Sanders/Fleur Chee or
Hibiscus Coast
Sat 17 August Music Festival at Orewa College; other dates to be confirmed
Enquiries: Louise Lamb 09 427 5212 or
Other Auckland Events
Gypsy Jazz Soirée at Alberton!
Sunday 28 July 5:30pm.
Tickets: IRMT members and students are being offered the special “friends of Alberton” rate of $20 per ticket for any number of tickets they would like to book.
To book contact Alberton at or 09 846 7367 and mention that you are an IRMT member and were offered the “friends of Alberton” rate.
Enjoy the ambiance at historic Alberton as the house comes alive for this special one off concert! Inspired by a blend of vintage Romany and Latin jazz, Auckland band Voxnova deliver an innovative approach to Manouche, performing both original material and versions of folk tunes. Classically trained violinist James Sneyd and bassist Alberto Santarelli (a legendary figure in the local and international jazz scene), generate musical brilliance while duelling with guitarist Doug Robertson. Founder and percussionist Alan MacDonald provides a vibrant gypsy swing and flamenco rumba on the cajon. This swinging music is sure to warm up any chilly night and will appeal to all ages and music lovers. Mulled wine and other treats & snacks will be available to purchase before the show and at intermission. Tickets include entry to explore the house before the show. Don your best vintage gypsy garb to win the Best Dressed prize!
Waikato Branch Events
Upcoming Events
2 August – Coffee and dessert evening
17 August – Scholarship practice time
22 August – Musical theatre demonstration incorporating Student Concert
Term 3 Student Concert
This will feature performances by music theatre students from Coryn Knapper’s studio. This is an opportunity to gain insight into the work of musical theatre.
Performances by string and piano students will also be welcomed.
Scholarships 2019
Saturday 31 August at 3:00 pm
Chartwell Cooperating Church, corner Comries Rd and Bellmont Ave, Hamilton
Adjudicator: Wendy Hunt
Scholarship entries are due by 1 August. The Entry Form must be completed. See also Scholarship Rules for details and rules.
Interested in Volunteering to Play Piano at Waikato Hospital?
Volunteering and playing the piano in the main auditorium on L1 and/or OPR2 which is the rehabilitation ward for older people
Why not get together a group of your students and organise a “mini concert” for patients and visitors?
Contact Krasi May if you are interested
Waikato Branch Piano
IRMT Waikato owns the piano at the Chartwell Co-operating Church. It is available for use by members for a nominal amount. Contact for details.
Useful Links for other music events in Waikato
Creative Waikato Events: www.creative_waikato.co.nz
Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts events: www.waikato.ac.nz/academy
Bay of Plenty Branch Events
Chris Greenslade
Solo Piano Concert
Sunday 4th August at 4pm
X Space, Baycourt, Tauranga
Performing works by Schubert, Schumann, Debussy, Rachmaninoff and Beethoven
Tickets available from Ticketek. Service fees will apply.
BOP Branch Scholarship – Senior and Junior
Date: Saturday 7th September
Entries close Saturday 3rd August 2019
Adjudicator: Chris Greenslade
Start times cannot be confirmed until entries are closed; but the Junior section will be held before the Senior section.
Scholarship day is a special day for our branch as it offers not only a competition opportunity for all students to work towards, but also an opportunity to play in an adjudicated situation which is great experience for students sitting exams.
See Entry Form and Scholarship Rules or contact the branch secretary at
Branch Kawai Piano
Members are reminded that the piano, housed in the Village on 17th Ave hall, is available for use. Hall hire has to be arranged separately with the Village.
BOP financial members $20 for personal use by members. This includes student concerts. NB This does not apply to members accompanying soloists/groups who are
performing in fund raising activities for other organizations
Examination Board Activities $75 per half day – (that is a morning, an afternoon or an evening.) NB – Practice time for examination candidates is free when booked through the
examination board.
General $75 per half day – $140 per full day
Rehearsal Time – $50 per half day. There is no fee payable if rehearsing for an official IRMT function, e.g. master classes, seminars, scholarship.
For further information or booking please contact
Rotorua & Taupo Branch
Facebook page
Institute of Registered Music Teachers Rotorua
Hawkes Bay Branch
Gisborne sub Branch Events
Taranaki Branch Events
Taranaki Branch Student Recitals
All recitals are held at St Andrew’s on Liardet, New Plymouth. Entry is by donation.
Dates:
Friday 20 Sept 7 pm Convenor: Mary Williams
Sunday 8 Dec 1:30 pm Convenor: Elaine Schreiber
New Plymouth Competitions
Piano and Instrumental: Sunday 7 July – Tuesday 9 July. Alexander Room, TSB Showplace.
Adjudicator: Andrew Buchanan-Smart
Contact Tracy Christiansen for details
Singing: Sunday 30 June, 4th Wall Theatre, Baring Terrace
Adjudicator: Julie Booth
Contact Lisa Rangi for details
Concert featuring Taranaki Youth Orchestra
Sunday 8 September, details to be confirmed
Taranaki Branch Young Musician of the Year
Saturday 26 October 7pm St Andrew’s Church, Liardet Street
Adjudicator: Guy Donaldson
Manawatu Branch Events
IRMT Chamber Music / Duet Competition
Saturday 10 August
Closing date: Friday 26 July
Adjudicator: Shelley Wilkinson (Wellington)
Instrumental Performance and Competitions
J Holmes Runnicles, Junior/Intermediate
Monday 28 October (Labour Day)
Closing date: Saturday 12 October
Adjudicator: Ingrid Culliford
Vocal Competitions
Junior / Intermediate (Senior section is not being offered)
Saturday 7 September
Closing date: Saturday 17 August
Adjudicator: Roy Tankersley
Piano Performance and Competitions
Evelyn Rawlins / Manawatu IRMT & Intermediate
Saturday 21 September
Closing date: Saturday 31 August
Adjudicator: Amber Rainey (Wellington)
Junior Medal Performance
Saturday 14 September
Closing date: Saturday 24 August
Organ Powers – “Alla Danza”
Ray Tankersley, Organ
Dates: 14th August, 11th September, 13th November, 11th December.
The venue (until St Andrews in the City reopens) is the Central Baptist Church on the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 12.15 pm – 12.45 pm.
The title of the series ‘Alla Danza’ features dance orientated pieces from England, Ireland, Scotland, the Iberian peninsula, Africa, East-ern and Western Europe, Africa and the South Pacific. The concerts are free. Refreshments provided and donations invited.
Manawatu Performing Arts Competitions 2019
Instrumental: Entries close Saturday 11 May for 1 & 2 June, Contact: Dianne Dellow:
Vocal: Entries close Friday 10 May for 1 & 2 June Contact: Sue Shirriffs:
Piano: Entries close Saturday 8 June for 6 & 7 July Contact: Susan McConachy:
Wellington Branch Events
Coffee Morning for Term 3 – 29th July
Lighthouse Cinema Cafe in Petone (52 Beach Street).
Geoffrey Coker Workshop – 10th August
‘Putting the Pieces Together – Applying theory knowledge to aural, sight-reading and performance’ on Saturday the 10th of August – save the date and we will announce more details closer to the time!
Sonata Celebration
Sunday 8 September
Details to follow
2019 Dowse Performing Arts Group Concerts
At St Marks Church, Woburn Road, Lower Hutt from 4.30 pm: 3rd August and 21st September.
At the Lower Hutt Little Theatre, (Senior Students) from 4 pm: 3rd November.
Anyone wishing to join the Dowse Performing Arts Group and present their students in these concerts please contact the Secretary: Theodora Lee-Smith or 04 971 8536
Wellington Piano and Instrumental Group (WPIG)
Provides inexpensive opportunities for students to perform in public, in a semi-formal, friendly atmosphere. Concerts last about one hour followed by light refreshments.
St Paul’s Lutheran Church 12 King Street Mt Cook (off Adelaide Road, near Pizza Hut).
At the door option: $9 family / $3.50 adult / $2.50 student / under 5 free
Annual fee option: $25 family / $10 adult / $6 student Allows performance and attendance at all concerts
Sunday 11 August 3pm – A Winter Matinee and Open. Contact or
Sunday 15 September 3pm – Pre-Sonata Celebration and Open. Contact or
Sunday 3 November 3pm – Children’s World and Open. Contact or Rosemary Bromley
Freemasons Lankhuyzen/Whetu-Kairangi Music Award
For music students with a connection to the Wellington Region
For more information about this award, please see: http://www.themasons.org.nz/cdiv/trustlankhuyzen.html
Practice Venue
Expressions, Upper Hutt – a unique practice venue! Have students preparing for the higher grades, or diploma levels? Need to have a run-through before the big day? Students will now be able to practice on the Steinway Grand Piano at the Expressions Arts & Entertainment Centre, 836 Fergusson Drive, Upper Hutt. Times must be booked in advance by emailing or phoning Michelle on 527 2163.
Christchurch Branch Events
Christchurch Competitions
July 5th to July 10th
Adjudicator: Susan Smith ONZM JP ARCM FTCL LRSM
Quick Learning Pieces will be available from the 1st June and cups from 2018 are to be returned by June 1st to the Convener’s address.
For further enquiries please do not hesitate to contact the Convener, Nahzee Maleki Amin Email:
IRMT Trophy Awards
The Trophy Awards will again be held as a class in the Christchurch Competitions and are open to all students of Branch members under the age of 19.
Our Trophy Awards are an exciting event for students to perform with prizes in piano, instrumental and vocal.
If you require an accompanist, contact the convenor, Christy Yau, . Please support this event to make it a success.
Other Events
Music’19 – the national Music Education NZ conference will be in Christchurch on October 7-9. Put these dates in your diary. The conference covers all streams of Music Education!
MENZA CONFERENCE – MUSIC’19 – REMIX
October 7-9, Christchurch
The national Music Education Conference! Workshops cater from early childhood through to secondary and beyond.
Topics include practical playing, creating, technology, cultural competency, cross curricular, research, individual tuition, classroom and ensembles.
Inspirational keynote speakers in new locations in the heart of Christchurch!
Please go to menzaconference.co.nz for details, registration and workshop submissions!
IRMT Use of Facilities at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School
The IRMT piano owned by the Christchurch branch is currently being used by Rangi Ruru School in one of their music studios. In return, they are offering reduced rates to any Branch members who wish to make use of the Merivale Lane Theatre for their student recitals.
Hire prices: Merivale Lane Theatre and foyer $75 per hour (includes use of Bosendorfer piano)
P1 (large room in Performing Arts Block with good Yamaha grand $25 per hour
Music studio $15 per hour
All bookings and inquiries to Eddie Cropley, Facilities and Events Manager or visit the school website
Events at The Piano Centre for Music and the Arts
156 Armagh Street, Christchurch
See Events Calendar
Otago Branch Events
Blues Improvisation
Gareth Davies, who presented at the 2019 Conference, is running a series of classes Improvising Music with 12 Bar Blues.
He intends to run 2 classes on July 10 and July 11, 1-3 pm (pianos will be available for use after the classes until 5 pm)
at Alexander Pianos, King Edward Court, Room 21, 291 Stuart Street.
Cost is $50 per student which includes a free digital copy of chord and scale charts (hard copies available for $25 each).
Teachers are welcome to observe the class at no charge.
Contact Gareth at or on 021 0820 4658
Professional Development Event: “Considering the Classics”
August 17th 2pm, Marama Hall
Masterclass in classical style and interpretation for piano, strings and wind
Professor Terence Dennis will inspire and enlighten advanced students on the elusive classical style. This is a great opportunity for students to work with an internationally experienced musician and teacher and a great idea for those considering to audition for performance courses at the University.
Please nominate students of a grade 7 – Diploma level to the Branch Committee.
Intermediate Recital and Senior Scholarship
Saturday 2 November. Mornington Methodist Church, Galloway Street
Afternoon intermediate non-competitive recital followed by the Senior Scholarship in the evening.
Adult Performers Group
Next date: Saturday 10 August at 4pm
At Margaret Whitworth’s home (please email for details)
Please provide names and numbers of attendees – if too many, numbers may need to be limited
Dunedin Performing Arts Competitions
23-25 August, Hanover Hall. This is an ideal occasion for students to have a trial run before exams or to have a goal for those who will not sit exams this year.
Entries due 5th July.
Dunedin Musical Society
Remaining dates for this year are: 18 August; 15 September and 20 October
Senior programme 2:30 pm
Teenagers 3:45 pm
Juniors 4:00 pm
Charge: $2 – adults. Children, performers and members – free
Otago Registered Music Teacher Facebook Page
A place for Otago IRMT members to interact online with issues related to our teaching. It is for discussion, questions, wondering, sharing as well as the odd funny or two.
It is a Closed Group, meaning you have to be “accepted” into the group and no-one else can access it.