Events

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.

Due to Covid-19 the 2021 Conference has been held over until 25 – 28 January 2022
Please see the Postponment Notice for details. 

Northland Branch Events

IRMTNZ Northland Branch Concerts in 2021

All at Cafler Suites, Forum North

10 April – First Concert – beginners, all comers and adult concerts
20 June – Non-Competitive Festival and Masterclass / Workshop
8 August Afternoon concert
5 December Annual Soiree

Ideas?

Please have a think and suggest what events you would like to have this year.
“More time to meet and ask questions about things that are bothering you?”
“Coffee mornings?”
“More social events?”
“Different student concert ideas?”

Please send your thoughts to Dora – if we had a suggestion from each branch member, that would be great!

Whangarei Music Society Concert

28 March at Old Library
“Trio Elan “
Donald Armstrong – violin
Simon Brew – saxophone
Sarah Watkins – piano

Northland Sinfonia Concert

Sunday 23 May at 3pm
Anglican Church, Kensington

Saint-Saens: Cello Concerto No 1
Cello Solo: Xena Martin

Mozart: Viertes Concerto
Horn Solo: Anita Austin

Saint-Saens: Suite Algerienne

Chamber Music Contest 2021

Tuesday 15 June, St John Golden Church
Regional Finals: Saturday 26 June, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
National Final: Friday 6 – Saturday 8 August, Christchurch
Entries close on Friday 2 April
More details at https://chambermusic.co.nz/contest

Auckland Branch Events

Urgently Seeking Volunteers!

The Auckland Branch Committee is in urgent need of new volunteers otherwise there will be no seminars, scholarships, professional development opportunities, networking events. At the moment Committee meetings are on Friday mornings twice a term but there is room for discussion by Zoom, Skype etc. If you are interested, please email your contact details to

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 $400 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   
Enquiries: Susan Theron 021 0291 272 or

Mediant – St Cuthbert’s College Performing Arts Centre, Room 203  Market Road, Epsom
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
Enquiries: Louise Lamb 09 427 5212 or 

Waikato Branch Events

Examiners’ Evening

Wednesday 10th March at 7:30 pm at Chartwell Co-operating Parish Church 
Representatives from Trinity College and Associated Boards of Royal School will be giving us the latest updates of exam syllabi and online exam requirements
Note: This event is subject to finalisation of arrangements

Social Get Together: Pizza, Wine and Dessert Evening

Saturday 27 March 2021 at 6pm – Pizza night at Elaine Horn‘s home. Please RSVP to Elaine. 
A social get together with partners welcome.
BYO
Please bring a dessert to share 
Cost: $5 per person

Are you 60 Plus? Join us for a Social Morning

The Branch Committee invites you to join them for a social get-together at Elaine Horn’s home on Friday 16th April at 10am
A chance to reminisce and enjoy collegial fellowship
Transport is available – please contact Christine. 

Music Teachers’ Support Group Meetings

This will reconvene in Term Two. If anyone has any queries please contact Linda Bell.

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 Christine 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

Tomatis Workshop

Tomatis is a method developed by Doctor Tomatis that focusses on brain health and general wellbeing. It improves attention, speech and memory using sound/bone conduction through the ears and the skull, identifying the crucial relationship between the ear and the voice. Some people cannot “process” information even when hearing it, hence they have difficulties in listening. The Tomatis method helps in rewiring these processing connections in the brain via the ear for improved learning, communication and  emotional balance. For more information see the website www.tomatis.com
Date to be confirmed.

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 Adele Dickinson

Rotorua & Taupo Branch

Dr Barry Smith Memorial Instrumental Scholarship

Rotorua Civic Arts Trust has recently launched a new instrumental scholarship in memory of Dr Barry Smith. If you have students who you consider might be eligible and interested, they can find details, and apply online via the Rotorua Civic Arts Trust website. Applications close on 31 October 2020, and will be considered at the November trustees’ meeting – with the award being made to the successful applicant in December 2020. 

Facebook page

Institute of Registered Music Teachers Rotorua

Hawkes Bay Branch

Gisborne sub Branch Events

Taranaki Branch Events

Piano Masterclass with Nicola Melville

Saturday 13 March, 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Plymouth International Hotel (ground floor lounge bar)
220 Courtney Street, New Plymouth

Advance ticket prices: $30 members, $40 non-members, $10 students
Door sales available on the day: $35 members, $45 non-members, $15 students
This includes a light afternoon tea

Please contact Cathy Martin to register:

Chamber Music New Zealand presents Transfigured Night

Wed 17 March 7:30pm TSB Showplace
A celebration of new life, the duality of conflict and resolution and ultimately the reconciliation of one with the universe. Coupled with Dvorak’s gorgeously Slavonic string sextet, this night of intimacy, intensity and spiritual metamorphosis is given life by the Ballet Collective Aotearoa and New Zealand String Quartet. Remember CMNZ offers a special $35 deal for the teacher + 5 students!

New Plymouth Competitions Society presents New Plymouth Competitions

Vocal Section 26-27 June
Contact Lisa Rangi 

Piano & Instrumental Section 2-4 July
Contact Tracy Christiansen

IRMTNZ Taranaki Branch Recitals

Friday 9 April 7pm at Holy Trinity Church 12 Henui Street, Fitzroy, New Plymouth
Convenor: Philippa Drinkwater

Sunday 27 June 1:30pm at Cue Theatre, 34 Matai Street, Inglewood
Convenor: Susan Case

Friday 17 September 7pm at Holy Trinity Church 12 Henui Street, Fitzroy, New Plymouth
Convenor: Sue Lupton

Sunday 28 November 1:30pm at Cue Theatre, 34 Matai Street, Inglewood
Convenor: Cathy Martin

Entry fees: $5 for one adult (2nd adult free); $1 per child, performers free
Please bring cash to help cover our costs

Please send the convenor the following details no later than 2 days in advance:
name of performer, title of piece and composer, approximate length of item
name of accompanist if applicable

Young Musician 2021

Saturday 25 September
Alexander Room, TSB Showplace
Devon Street, New Plymouth
Adjudicator: Ingrid Culliford

Manawatu Branch Events

NZSO in Palmerston North

Thursday 15 April 7:30pm

Student Recital 

Any age, any stage
Saturday 29 May 2021 at Freyberg High School Music Suite
Closing Date: Friday 14 May 2021

Branch AGM

Wednesday 26 May at 7:30 pm via Zoom
Registration will be required

Branch Competitions

Junior Medal Assessments and Intermediate Competitions: Piano, Instrumental, Vocal
Senior Instrumentals: Runnicles
Sat/Sun 21/22 August 2021, Freyberg High School

Closing date: Saturday 24 July 2021

Young Performer Awards (YPA) 

The Manawatu Performing Arts Competition Society Inc announces the Young Performer Awards will be held on 3 July 2021. 
Piano and Instrumental 
Enquiries to Dianne Dellow. 

IRMTNZ Chamber Music Competition

Saturday 8 August Palmerston North Girls High School
Closing date: Friday 9 July 2021

Senior Piano – Rawlins Scholarship 

Saturday 25 September at Freyberg High School
Closing date: Friday 3 September 2021

Professional Development Opportunity: Save the Date!

Saturday 25 September: Seminar/Masterclass with Jian Liu (Piano)
At the conclusion of the Senior Piano Scholarship 
More details to be advised later

Duet Fun-Fest

Sunday 28 November, Freyberg High School Music Suite
Closing date to be determined

Chamber Music New Zealand 2021 Concerts

At the Globe Theatre at 7:30pm, contact Virginia Warbrick

Saturday 13 March – Transfigured Night
Wednesday 7 April – Nocturne
Thursday 24 June – Quartet for the End of Time
Wednesday 25 August – Fantasy and Romance
Saturday 11 September – Another Night in Vienna

MUSIC VIVA / Manawatu Rotary Young Performers’ Scholarship 2021

Preliminaries: Saturday 2 October, Square Edge 2:30 pm
Finale: Sunday 17 October, Globe Theatre 2:30 pm
Closing Date: Friday 26 March 2021
Contact:

Globe Theatre Sunday Matinee Series 2021

All concerts at 2:30pm with entry by donation (recommended at least $5)

Sunday 28 February – Olga Shanina (opera singer) and Guy Donaldson (piano)
Sunday 28 March – Elizabeth Patchett (violin) and Guy Donaldson (piano)
Sunday 2 May – Robert Ibell (cello) and Rachel Thomson (piano)
Sunday 30 May – Liam Furey (piano)
Sunday 27 June – Sasha Routh (cello), Cristian Huenuqueo (guitar) and friends
Sunday 25 July – Jennifer Little (soprano) and Lindsay Yeo (baritone) with Guy Donaldson (piano)
Sunday 29 August – Chris Dann (jazz piano) and friends
Sunday 26 September – Christine Archer Lockwood and Guy Donaldson (piano duo)
Sunday 31 October – TACH Baroque Quartet
Sunday 28 November – Diana Neild (flute) and friends

Robert Matthews Memorial Music Scholarship

Applications are invited for the Robert Matthews Memorial Music Scholarship under the auspices of the Presbyterian New Church.
The annual award is for $500 to go towards music studies, and recognises the great contribution to music by Robert Matthews.
Please contact Roy Tankersley for details and an application form. Closing Date: 31 March 2021.
A concert celebrating the Robert Matthews Memorial Music Scholarship will be at St. Peter’s Church on Sunday 14 March at 2:30pm.

Wellington Branch Events

Grants and Scholarships

Wellington branch members may apply for a grant from either the Kate Jourdain or Ariadne Danilow bequest funds. See the Wellington branch website for more details. 

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.

Wellington Branch website and Facebook page

More details on our upcoming Events on the Wellington branch website or on the Facebook page 

Christchurch Branch Events

Essential Tools for 2021

Sunday March 14th 1:30pm – 4:45 pm
at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School, Performing Arts block (directly behind the Merival Lane Theatre)

1:30 – 2:15 Mental Health – Ann Higgs
As music teachers working closely with young people, we often encounter students who are struggling with mental health issues. Ann Higgs will discuss some of the warning signs to look out for, and some tools for interacting with these students

2:15 – 3:15 Technical Help with Online Exams – Paul Zdrenka, then a Q&A session with Lois Dalton from ABRSM
This session will begin with a presentation looking at the technical challenges of producing recordings for online exams. Paul Zdrenka will provide practical tips for teachers faced with the task of providing video recordings for online exams using their phone, tablet or computer. In the second part of this session, ABRSM representative Lois Dalton will address some of the questions teachers may have about the online exam process. 

3:15 – 3:45 Afternoon tea

3:45 – 4:45 Special Learning Needs – Glenys Knopp
Music teachers encounter a wide range of learning styles and specific learning needs within their music practice. Glenys Knapp will provide us with some strategies to assist students with special learning needs.

$25 IRMTNZ members
$35 Non IRMTNZ members
Numbers for this event will be limited, so book your place  

Morning Tea

Thursday 25th March 10:30 am at the home of Diane Angus.
Come along and join us for a cup of tea or coffee and a chat. This social event will be at Diane’s home and will be a lovely opportunity to get together with fellow teachers. Please let Diane know by Wed 24th March if you would like to attend. 

IRMTNZ Use of Facilities at Rangi Ruru Girls’ School

The piano owned by the IRMTNZ 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

Richard Chandler Memorial Scholarship

This year sadly marks 5 years since the passing of Richard Chandler. Richard was a long standing committee member of the branch, and newsletter editor. He was very well known in the musical community of Christchurch as a bassonist in the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and a popular piano teacher. 

The Scholarship is for a student in straitened circumstances who shows musical promise in either piano or woodwind. They will have had at least one year’s tuition on their instrument and be in Year 8 or above. The scholarship will pay a minimum of $750 each year towards tuition costs for private music lessons until the student finishes secondary school. This amount will be paid directly to the teacher. 

If you have, or know of, a student who would fit the criteria, please contact a committee member. The student does not have to have any connection with IRMTNZ to audition, but the requirement is that they learn from an IRMTNZ registered music teacher whilst they are receiving the scholarship assistance. Please contact Katherine Jones for more information. 

The IRMTNZ Christchurch Branch is very grateful to all those who have donated to the fund – your donations will make a huge difference to funding the scholarship, especially whilst interest rates are so low. 

Merle Henry Fund

Foundation Course Scholarship which covers 50% of the Registration Fee for an applicant to attend the IRMTNZ Foundation Course. 
Criteria for eligibility: 
– Must be a pupil of a current IRMTNZ Christchurch branch member
– Be at least 18 years old
– Have attained as a minimum a pass in Grade 8 Practical Examination and Grade 5 Theory Examination gained from any recognised Examination Board
– Be a permanent resident or citizen of New Zealand
The award of this scholarship will be at the discretion of the Committee of the IRMTNZ Christchurch Branch. 
For more details including the application form please contact the Christchurch Branch Secretary

Events at The Piano Centre for Music and the Arts

156 Armagh Street, Christchurch
See Events Calendar

Christchurch School of Music May Music Festival

22 – 23 May 2021 at CSM Rooms, 60 Ferry Road
classes for strings, recorders, woodwinds, brass, solos, duets, ensembles and adults
Adjudicator: Cathy Irons
Accompanist: Hsing-Yin Lin

7:00 pm Prize Winners Concert
For more details see https://www.csm.org.nz/csm-music-festival/

Otago Branch Events

Turn up the Music Trust Sunday Recital in Queenstown

Sunday 28th February 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Queenstown Memorial Centre
Turn up the Music Trust presents a musical collaboration from their talented music teachers. Bring the whole family along to enjoy two hours of wonderful piano, violin, cello, brass and more.
Tickets from eventfinda.co.nz, more information at www.turnupthemusic.co.nz 
Adults $23, 13-18 year old $10.25, 13 years and under free

Dunedin Concerto Competition 

Setting up and Running a Successful Music Teaching Business, then Meet & Greet, Learn & Laugh Social Evening

Saturday March 27th from 2pm
Mornington Methodist Church, corner Galloway and Whitby Streets
Beginning with an afternoon of practical advice and tips from a variety of presenters on setting up and running a successful music teaching business in 2021, we move on to a relaxed pizza evening, where we can chat and enjoy spending time with each other. 

Presentation and Masterclass with Heleen du Plessis

Saturday June 26th
Presentation and masterclass for string instrument teachers and students

Senior Scholarship and Intermediate Recital

August 21-22
Masterclass with Ingrid Culliford

Presentation and Masterclass on “Romantic Reflections” with Terence Dennis

Saturday December 4 
Followed by Christmas get together for members and their partners

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.