What a topsy-turvy time it has been for the arts sector over the last two years. Luckily we managed to host all of our main events in 2021, including our youth concert on 1 August where numbers of inspiring and energetic young musicians treated us to their performances. We always hold our youth concert just before the finals of the chamber music contest and the Big Sing in order to provide a kind of dress rehearsal for finalists. This has worked really well over the years. Last year the contest happened but the Big Sing finals were unfortunately unable to take place. We were glad to provide a performance opportunity for Altissime from Samuel Marsden Collegiate, one of the finalist choirs. Happily the National Youth Orchestra was convened and performed before the nationwide lock-down too. Music Futures again sponsored Benjamin Carter, talented young cellist and pianist.
In November Brigid O’Meeghan and I met with NZSO Conductor James Judd. James is one of our original sponsors and it was good to connect with him again. He has vast experience in supporting youth music and shared some of that with us. You will see some new ideas emerge as we put several of his suggestions into practice. We are thrilled to announce that James is willing to continue to support Music Futures.
Key dates for 2022 Your committee has been working hard on this year’s programme since January, despite the uncertainty brought about by COVID. Following the PM’s announcement this last week, things are looking more certain now that restrictions are largely being removed, especially in schools.
Our annual award round opened last month and has been well advertised to schools and music teachers all over the Wellington region. You can find the information here: www.musicfutures.org.nz/awards.html
We are planning chamber music coaching weekends during May in Wellington (28th and 29th) and on the Kapiti coast (11th,13th and 18th). TG Macarthy Trust is sponsoring these fantastic coaching opportunities again this year. We have yet to set a date for the Annual General Meeting in May but are hoping that a local school can host it now that they can open their doors. We have booked a date for our youth concert at St Andrew’s on The Terrace in July. Here are the key events and dates for your calendar (we’ll send reminders closer to the time): - Sunday 29 May, 1 pm – informal concert in the Adam Concert Room - Saturday 31 July, 3 pm – Sound of Wellington Youth Music concert - Annual General Meeting - tbd
Your help for promising young musicians We support many talented young musicians, especially those who need help with fees for lessons, instruments repair, and competitions. We love seeing our MF ‘graduates’ go on to study at university; or they pop up in Orchestra Wellington or even NZSO. We are literally helping grow our future professional musicians. The more you donate, the more assistance we can give. In a good year, we can reach several hundred young high school musicians across the region.
Our membership fee this year is $25 per person (a small increase from $20 which it has been since we started). If you make a donation over and above your membership fee, you can claim a third back from IRD, as we are a registered charitable organisation (Charities Registration number: CC48539).
Please pay your subscription or donation direct into our bank account by internet transfer and provide your name in the reference box or make a deposit at Kiwibank. Note that Kiwibank are no longer accepting cheques. Don’t forget to provide Annette Lendrum, our Treasurer, with your details by email if we do not already have them: ALMusicFutures@gmail.com. Our account name is Music Futures Inc. Our account number is: 38 9012 0747102 00.
Finally, please tell your friends and families about the good work we do and invite them to support us or attend a concert.
