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.

Conference 2022 

Join us in Rotorua for Conference 2022  “Ako Puoro – From the Lakes to the Geysers”
Venue: Millennium Rotorua
Conference opens evening of 25 January 2022 and concludes in the afternoon of 28 January 2022
See our Conference page for all the details

Northland Branch Events

Adjudicating Performances for IRMTNZ Northland Scholarship

Saturday 13 November 1:30pm
Entries by email to the branch secretary by 29th October

Timing for each performer to be confirmed after entries are received. 
Entrants: One item to be performed by each student, with a maximum time limit of 6 minutes.
Entrants are required to be grade 5 level and above.
CVs and copies of music – 3 of each are required due to social distancing requirements. 
These must be provided to Rae Patterson by Friday 29th October (leave them in the letterbox)

IRMTNZ Branch Soiree – Annual Formal Concert

Saturday 5 December at Cafler Suite, Forum North
Entries – must be IRMTNZ teachers – please email branch secretary by 19th November, with an idea of what the item will be, including instrument, age and stage. 

Classics at the Cove

Tahamoana Angora Goat Farm, 566 Cove Road, Whangarei District, Northland
Saturday 30 October 2021 4:00pm – 7:00pm

Classics at the cove is an annual outdoor concert at the Tahamoana Angora Goat farm. Set in an idyllic amphitheater overlooking stunning Bream Bay. This concert is in association with Opera North and Barfoot and Thompson. Ridge Ponini returns this year with ‘Alo4a’ the Fonoti Fuimaono Brothers from Hawkes Bay, and Katherine Winitana, a Dame Malvina Major Foundation Artist with New Zealand Opera. Opera North Chorus opens with a rousing chorus ensemble piece and accompanies the guest artists with Medleys and top soloists from Northland. Bring along a picnic or enjoy some delicious food from our food vendors. Only a 3 km walk on the Waipu cycle and walking track to Waipu Cove beach and Cafe or 5.6Km from the Pizza Barn. Free parking with wheelchair access, and shade.

Auckland Branch Events

IRMTNZ Auckland Branch Scholarships – POSTPONED

The IRMTNZ Auckland Branch Scholarships Weekend was unfortunately postponed as a result of Auckland currently being in Level 4. The Branch is working on enabling the Branch Scholarship classes to go ahead at later dates and will notify members once more information is available. 

Nick Peterson – Empowering Music Teachers – COVID IMPACTED

This event, which had been scheduled for Sunday 17th October, is impacted by Covid-19 and the uncertainty of when Auckland might be in a suitable Alert Level to hold this. New dates and details are now being considered. 

Alice Cole Piano Scholarship 2021 – POSTPONED

This event was due to take place on 3 September but it has been postponed due to Covid-19, pending a new date.

The National String and Lewis Eady National Piano Competitions

This event has been postponed to 10-12 December 2021.
Two workshops for IRMTNZ teachers: James Bush on baroque string playing; and Stephen Larsen’s teacher training workshop. 

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

Members’ Christmas Lunch

Friday 26 November – details to follow

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.

The Branch Committee is considering selling this Kawai RX2 grand piano. They need to know branch members’ thoughts on this – can you please vote Yes/No by Friday 1 October to " class="broken_link">Christine. 

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

Branch Kawai Piano

Members are reminded that the piano, housed at Wesley Church on 13th Avenue, is available for hire. 
For further information please contact Adele Dickinson

The Tauranga Amateur Variety Concert (TAVAC)

Venue: Tauranga Holy Trinity auditorium, 215 Devonport Road (corner 3rd Avenue)
Presents a variety of musical styles and acoustic instruments performed by intermediate and advanced musicians. It’s an opportunity to support development of the musical arts in Tauranga as well as enjoying a good, generally light-hearted concert with a few “serious” pieces. If you’re a musician, it’s a great opportunity to perform.

Concert Schedule remaining dates for 2021:
30th October – applications open July 30th

For more information, see www.tavac.co.nz

Rotorua & Taupo Branch

Adult Performers Concerts

Start 7:30pm at St Chad’s Communication Centre Rotorua, $5 per family
Next dates: 10 November

Showcase Concert

28 November at St. Luke’s Church 2pm

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

IRMTNZ Taranaki Branch Recitals

All recitals will be held at the Holy Trinity Church, 12 Henui Street, Fitzroy, New Plymouth
Remaining dates for 2021:

Sunday 28 November 1:30pm
Convenor: Cathy Martin

Entry fees: $3 for one adult ($5 for two adults); $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

Manawatu Branch Events

Junior Medal Assessments and Intermediate Competitions
Senior Instrumental

Revised Date: Sat/Sun 9/10 October, Freyberg High School Music Suite

Second student recital: on hold

Duet Fun-Fest

Sunday 28 November, Freyberg High School Music Suite
Closing date: Friday 12 November
Adjudicator: Myra Smith

OrganPower (Roy Tankersley, Organ)

Wednesdays 12:15pm at Palmerston North Central Baptist Church
13 October: “Talk to the Animals”
8 December: “Angels and Shepherds”

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 31 October – TACH Baroque Quartet
Sunday 28 November – Diana Neild (flute) and friends

Wellington Branch Events

Call for Scores

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

Wellington Piano and Instrumental Group

St Paul’s Lutheran Church 12 King Street Mt Cook (off Adelaide Road, near Pizza Hut)
At the door – Cost is $3.50 per adult, $2.50 per student, $9 for family (includes 2 adults), under 5 free.
Annual membership – $28 family (includes 2 adults); $10 adult or $6 student allows performance and attendance at all concerts.

Provides inexpensive opportunities for students to perform in public, in a semi-formal and friendly atmosphere. 
Concerts have a maximum duration of 75 minutes, followed by light refreshments.
Any item will be accepted at any concert. All ages, levels and instruments are welcome.

Sunday 7 November 3pm – Christmas Magic. Contact Rosemary Bromley or Kristina Zuelicke

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

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

Otago Branch Events

Celebratory Morning Tea 

For Retired members and those receiving long service certificates
Friday October 1st from 10:30am 
A committee member will be in contact, and transport will be available to the venue

Otago Branch Composition Competition

For the Eli Gray-Smith Senior Trophy plus a $50 voucher – Yr 9 – 13 students; max of 6 minute original composition
For the Eli Gray-Smith Junior Trophy plus a $25 voucher – Students up to Yr 8, at least 16 bars or up to 3 minute original composition; may be assisted with the presentation of their final script.

Students must be learning from an Otago Branch IRMTNZ member.
Judged on the score, not the performance of it: Any instrument(s), or style.
This year’s adjudicator – John Dodd.
Entries close Friday 22 October, please contact branch secretary. 

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.

Southland Events

Michael Houstoun with the Rodger Fox Big Band