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
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
First Concert of 2019
Saturday 30 March at Cafler Suite Forum North
1pm for beginners and Grade 2/3
2pm for Grade 3/4 and up
and recital of piano duos by guest artists Marilyn and Andrew Portman
IRMT Northland Scholarship Class – $500 prize
Northland Performing Arts Competitions
Set music is Bach Two-Part Invention No. 6
IRMT Northland Branch 50th Anniversary
We congratulate the Northland Branch on the celebration of their 50th anniversary on February 9th. This was in the form of a luncheon followed by a free public concert.
Upcoming Events
Sat 12 May – New Zealand Music Concert, Old Library
Sun 26 May – Northland Sinfonia Concert, Old Library
Tue 4 June – Chamber Music Concert
Sun 16 June – Non Competitive Festival, Cafler Suite, Forum North
Sun 11 Aug – Memory/Beginners Prom, Cafler Suite, Forum North
Sun 24 Nov – Mini recitals, Cafler Suite, Forum North
Sun 30 Nov – Soiree, Cafler Suite, Forum North
Sun 1 Dec – WYM End of Year Concert, Forum North
Sun 8 Dec – Christmas Concert, Old Library
Auckland Branch Events
IRMTNZ Auckland Branch presents…Piano Pedagogy Workshops with Marvin Blickenstaff
Friday 26th April 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
Saturday 27th April 9:30 am – 4:45 pm
Diocesan School for Girls, Epsom, Junior School Hall
Auckland Branch is delighted to invite members to join them for a concentrated two days of Piano Pedagogy workshops presented by one of America’s leading
piano pedagogues, Marvin Blickenstaff. Marvin Blickenstaff is well known among piano teachers throughout the USA for his teaching, lecturing, performing and
publishing. Currently he maintains a private studio in the Philadelphia area and teaches at The New School for Music Study in Princeton. Blickenstaff is the former Board
President of the Frances Clark Center for Keyboard Pedagogy and is on the Executive Planning Committee of the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy. In 2007 the on-line journal Piano Pedagogy Forum published tributes to Blickenstaff honouring his contribution to piano teaching in America. Also in 2007 he was named Fellow of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He was honoured in 2009 with MTNA’s highest honour, the MTNA Achievement Award, and was selected in 2013 by the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy for its Lifetime Achievement Award.
For more details including how to register for this event, please see Blickenstaff Publicity update 12 March 2019
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. We hope to confirm the String and Vocal class adjudicators shortly.
Entry forms will be sent out in May and the 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 6 April; 1 June; 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 17 March; 16 June: 15 September; 10 November
Enquiries: Geoffrey Hinds 09 630 3267 or
Southern – Old Central School, 57 Wood St, Papakura $5 per family
6pm on 30 March; 4 May; 15 June
Enquiries: Gina Sanders/Fleur Chee fchee@orconet,nz
Hibiscus Coast
Sat 17 August Music Festival at Orewa College; other dates to be confirmed
Enquiries: Louise Lamb 09 427 5212 or
Waikato Branch Events
Annual Branch Coffee Morning
22 February at 10am at Linda Bell’s home.
We will take the opportunity to farewell long standing member Kath Woodley who is relocating to Methven. Kath will be missed!
Trinity College Event: 10th March
Trinity College in association with IRMT Waikato presents
Geoffrey Coker – Trinity College Examiner
Venue: Chartwell Church, 126 Conries Road, Hamilton
Date: Sunday 10th March 2:00pm -4:30 pm
Closing date 4th March. Registrations to – payment by internet banking or cash at the door . IRMT members $5; all others $10
See attached flyer.
Music Teachers Support Group
A support group for music teachers who meet a few times each year on an informal basis to share ideas about teaching practice. Experienced teachers welcome to share their skills with less experienced ones.
Next Meeting: Friday 5 April at 1pm at Linda Bell‘s home (contact her for details). You are welcome to bring your lunch.
Student Recital with a Difference!
Watch this space – coming up in Term 2. All students are welcome to perform and we will also enjoy items by musical theatre students.
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
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
Adult Performers Evening
Wednesday 13 March at 7:30pm at St Chad’s Centre cnr Devon and Fenton Streets
New performers are welcome; you do not need to be a Branch member.
Criteria for performers: must be at least 15 years old; items must be of a reasonable performance standard and preferably no longer than 8-9 minutes
Door entry: $3 per person, whether performing or audience support
Can performers please email Claire Mason with the following details by Sunday midday before the event: instrument; title; performer; advise accompanist or backing track; performance time
Facebook page
Institute of Registered Music Teachers Rotorua
Hawkes Bay Branch
Gisborne sub Branch Events
Taranaki Branch Events
Motivational Seminars for Teachers and Students
With International guest speaker Michael Griffin
Sunday 31 March, Devon Hotel, 390 Devon Street East, New Plymouth
Developing Musical Skill 11am – 12:30pm
Unlocking Musical Potential 1:30 pm – 4:15 pm
Registration:
Both sessions: IRMTNZ member $25, non member $40
Developing Musical Skills: IRMTNZ member $15, non member $20, student $5
Unlocking Musical Potential: IRMTNZ member $20, non member $30
Contact Tracy Christiansen to register
See Michael Griffin Seminar for more details.
Taranaki Branch Student Recitals
All recitals are held at St Andrew’s on Liardet, New Plymouth. Door charges will apply.
Dates:
Friday 5 April 7 pm
Sunday 16 June 1:30 pm
Friday 20 Sept 7 pm
Sunday 8 Dec 1:30 pm
New Plymouth Competitions
Instrumental: Monday 8 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
Taranaki Branch Young Musician of the Year
Saturday 27 October 7pm St Andrew’s Church, Liardet Street
Adjudicator: Guy Donaldson
Manawatu Branch Events
Performance Anxiety/Stage Presence & Stage Craft
Seminar with Maaike Christie-Beekman
Sunday 17 March 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm with afternoon tea
Freyberg High School Music Suite, Palmerston North
Session 1: 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm “The impact of Stress during a Performance, how to create Relaxed Concentration, being in Flow”
Session 2: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm How to take Command, to Connect, to be Attuned, to Express with Intent”
Maaike works with clients ranging from managers in both government and private sector, politicians, public speakers and performing artists
IRMT Members: $15 per session or $25 both sessions
Non IRMT Members: $20 per sessions or $30 both sessions
Senior Students: $5 per session or $10 both sessions
Cash on the day OR Payment on line: ANZ 010745 0025114 00
Please RSVP to
IRMT Student Recital
Any age, any stage
Saturday 18 May
Closing date: Friday 10 May
IRMT Manawatu Branch AGM
Sunday 26 May, 93 Victoria Avenue, Palmerston North
IRMT Chamber Music / Duet Competition
Saturday 10 August
Closing date: Friday 26 July
Instrumental Performance and Competitions
J Holmes Runnicles, Junior/Intermediate
Monday 28 October (Labour Day)
Closing date: Saturday 12 October
Vocal Competitions
Junior / Intermediate (Senior section is not being offered)
Saturday 7 September
Closing date: Saturday 17 August
Piano Performance and Competitions
Evelyn Rawlins / Manawatu IRMT & Intermediate
Saturday 21 September
Closing date: Saturday 31 August
Junior Medal Performance
Saturday 14 September
Closing date: Saturday 24 August
Organ Powers – “Alla Danza”
Ray Tankersley, Organ
Dates: 13th March, 10th April, 8th May, 12th June, 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
Book Chat
Thursday 21st March at 7:45 pm
Hosted by Barbara Campbell.
We will be discussing Lilburn’s two lectures A Search for Tradition and A Search for Language. Even if you have not read the book, please come along as you will gain much from hearing others talk about it and enjoy getting together. We always start with a drink and some nibbles. SOUNZ have notified us that the books have arrived and can be purchased for $25 in person at SOUNZ or online at https://www.sounz.org.nz/resources/734. They are also happy to post them to you if that is more convenient.
Recital Competition
Saturday 6th April, with adjudicator Diedre Irons
Venue: St Andrews on the Terrace
Entries to be received by Friday 8th March.
Refer to Recital Cover Letter 2019 for more details
Piano Plus Festival
28-30 June
Details to follow
Sonata Celebration
Sunday 8 September
Details to follow
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 24 March 2pm – Children’s World and Open. Contact Glenda Craven or Julia Walls
Sunday 19 May 2pm – Chamber Music and Open. Contact Rosemary Bromley or
Sunday 23 June 2pm – Pre-Piano Plus Festival and Open. Contact or
Sunday 11 August 2pm – A Winter Matinee and Open. Contact or
Sunday 15 September 2pm – Pre-Sonata Celebration and Open. Contact or
Sunday 3 November 2pm – 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
Picnic
For younger teachers and teachers with young families. This will be a wonderful opportunity to meet with other younger members of the IRMT in an informal setting. Please bring your own picnic and a rug to sit on. We will be having a treasure hunt for the children as well as some games. Children are welcome to bring their togs if the weather is suitable to swim in the pool.
Sunday 3rd March 12:30 – 3:00 pm at Margaret Maw’s home
RSVP to Margaret Maw
Stellar Strings Workshop with Stephen Larsen
Sunday 31st March 1:15 – 5:00 pm at Rangi Ruru Girls School, Merivale Lane Theatre
Workshop 1:15 – 3: 15 pm
Concert 4:00 – 5:00 pm
This workshop with Stephen Larsen of University of Auckland is sponsored by Antonio Strings, Christchurch.
Workshops are practical and open to active participants and observers. They will focus on aspects of string playing techniques and pedagogy – details to be advised. The concert will feature Stephen’s students, including Rangi Ruru music scholars/violinists and Rangi Ruru alumni who are studying with Stephen at the University of Auckland.
Admission: Workshop only $15 pp
Concert and workshop $25 pp
Concert only $15 pp
Bookings for the Stellar Strings concert are available on the Rangi Ruru School website from Friday 1 March 2019.
Piano Pedagogy Workshop with Marvin Blickenstaff
Wednesday 24th April 10:00 am – 4:30 pm at The Chamber at the Piano Centre for Music and the Arts
Booking is required for this event, follow the link
Presented by Marvin Blickenstaff, who is known among piano teachers throughout the United States for his teaching, lecturing, performing and publishing. Currently he maintains a private studio in the Philadelphia area and teaches at The New School for Music Study in Princeton. In 2007 the on-line journal Piano Pedagogy Forum published tributes to Blickenstaff honoring his contribution to piano teaching in America. Also in 2007 he was named Fellow of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto. He was honored in 2009 with MTNA’s highest honor, the MTNA Achievement Award, and was selected in 2013 by the National Conference on Keyboard Pedagogy for its Lifetime Achievement Award.
Teaching Little Ears to Hear 10:00 – 11:15
Teaching Little Eyes to Read 11:15 – 12:30
Lunch Break 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Doing What Comes Naturally: Nature’s Clues to Interpretation 1:30 – 2:45
Afternoon Tea Break
Performance Made Easy 3:15 – 4:30 pm
Admission: Whole day IRMT member $60
Whole day non IRMT member $80
Half day IRMT member $30
Half day non IRMT member $40
Mature Students Concert
Saturday 22nd June, details to follow
AGM and Performance Ready Presentation
Sunday 26th May 2:30 pm Trinity Room at The Piano Centre for Music and the Arts
Performance Ready – How to prepare yourself to perform with Gina Fowler.
This short workshop session will give teachers some tips and ideas on how they can assist in preparing their students to be mentally and physically prepared to perform in an exam or performance situation, through the use of simple relaxation and preparation techniques. Gina Fowler is a speech and drama, and singing teacher who has many years of experience in writing and directing musicals, and children’s theatre, as well as preparing students for auditions, public speaking events, job interviews and other performance situations. By using simple but effective relaxation and physical and mental preparation techniques students and teachers can become more focused on the task of their performance and enable themselves to be mentally and physically prepared.
Other Events
Concerts for Christchurch presents The Tasman Ensemble: Tony Chen Lin, Piano with Christina Lieberwirth-Morris, Violin
Tuesday March 5th 12:10 – 12:50 pm at The Piano, 156 Armagh Street
Performing works by Mozart, Weiner and Bartok.
Adult $15; Concert Trust Friends $10; Students $5
Contact or check out their Facebook page
Hook Line and Sing-a-Long deadline – if you have budding songwriters, there is an NZ song competition which closes March 17th. See https://menza.co.nz/event/closing-date-for-2019-hook-line-and-singalong-song-competition/ or http://hooklineandsingalong.com/ for details.
Weekend of April 5-7: workshops by music educator Michael Griffin brought in conjunction with IRMT, Music Education Canterbury, CWSMTA and CSM. Details to follow,
NZ Primary School Teachers’ Conference – April school holidays. See https://menza.co.nz/event/nz-primary-school-teachers-conference/ or https://nzptc.com/ for details.
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!
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
Chamber Music New Zealand presents Duo Col Legno
Gore 12 May; Wanaka 14 May; Oamaru 15 May
Yoshiko Tsuruta Marimba
Heleen du Plessis Cello
Programme:
GARETH FARR New Commission
PETER KLATZOW A Sense of Place
ARVO PÄRT Fratres
ATANAS OURKOUZOUNOV Tanzologia
-interval-
ANDREW BEALL Rose of Sharon
TCHAIKOVSKY Andante Cantabile
FAURÉ Après un rêve
Traditional Three Japanese Songs
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.
Southland Branch Events
Chamber Music New Zealand presents Duo Col Legno
Gore 12 May; Wanaka 14 May; Oamaru 15 May
Yoshiko Tsuruta Marimba
Heleen du Plessis Cello
Programme:
GARETH FARR New Commission
PETER KLATZOW A Sense of Place
ARVO PÄRT Fratres
ATANAS OURKOUZOUNOV Tanzologia
-interval-
ANDREW BEALL Rose of Sharon
TCHAIKOVSKY Andante Cantabile
FAURÉ Après un rêve
Traditional Three Japanese Songs