University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music

20/08/2026

Congratulations to all our excellent performers who played and sang beautifully in the lunchtime concert yesterday! 🎶👏 🌟

18/08/2026

What an outstanding evening of singing at the 2026 DMMF Waikato Aria Competition Final!

Congratulations to all six finalists - Venessa Joyce, Hannah Ashford-Beck, Rosie Knight, Millie Trusttum, Tiana Hunter and Tia Katipo - who delivered performances of remarkable artistry, dedication, and musical excellence. Reaching the final is a significant achievement, and each singer should be very proud of their contribution to a truly memorable event.

Special congratulations to our prize winners:

🥇 Tiana Hunter (mezzo-soprano) – First Place
🥈 Venessa Joyce – Second Place
🥉 Millie Trusttum – Third Place

A heartfelt thank you to Greenlea Trust for its generous sponsorship of the competition prizes, awarding $5,000 for First Place, $2,000 for Second Place, and $1,000 for Third Place. This support provides invaluable encouragement and assistance for emerging singers.
Our sincere thanks also to Francis Cowan, whose brilliant playing supported each performance; to Filipe Manu, our esteemed adjudicator, for his exceptional masterclass, thoughtful insights, and encouragement; to David Harper for the first round adjudication; and to Gina Sanders, who guided the evening with such grace as our MC.
Kudos to Director of Vocal Performance Kristin Darragh, and the entire Waikato Voice Programme team for their hard work in bringing this event to life: Catrin Johnsson, Emma Pearson, Gina Sanders and Wade Kernot.
Finally, thank you to the Dame Malvina Major Foundation for its longstanding commitment to nurturing emerging vocal talent, and to our audience, supporters, teachers, families, and wider community for championing the next generation of New Zealand singers.

Bravo to all involved in a wonderful celebration of the music training programme at Waikato. 🎶✨
The University of Waikato

Photos: Richard Lummus

09/08/2026

An opportunity for last week's “A Night At The Opera” audience to hear more of Felicity Tompkins.
Felicity Tompkins and Stephen de Pledge, 1pm, Wed 12 August, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts and Gallery
https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2026/lunchtime-recital-felicity-tomkins-stephen-de-pledge-voice-pian/hamilton

Watch Seven Sharp on TV One tonight and catch the interviews with our singers. We’re so excited about our concert and loved having the Seven Sharp team come and talk to us and hear our rehearsal. Seven Sharp, 7pm, TV One. Te Pae Kōkako - The Aotearoa New Zealand Opera Studio

Find out more: www.nightattheoperanz.org

30/07/2026

Our audience were treated to a spectacular performance at our lunchtime concert yesterday by University of Waikato alum Matthias Balzat , who played a wonderful programme of Bach and Britten. Thank you Matthias, we are extremely proud!

20/07/2026

🎟️ TICKETS ON SALE TODAY! 🎟️

Get ready to experience an evening of sheer French elegance, breathtaking drama, and sublime choral beauty! Tickets are **NOW LIVE** for our highly anticipated **CONCERT II – FRENCH MASTERS** happening this August 8th & 9th, 2026!

✨ **The Programme:** ✨
Prepare to be transported through two brilliantly contrasting masterworks of French choral history:

* **Gabriel Fauré’s *Requiem*** – A timeless, cherished classic. Returning to our library by popular demand, our previous performances of this work have been described as “breathtaking and sublime.” It promises to deliver the ultimate blend of deep serenity and emotional drama.
* **Marc‑Antoine Charpentier’s *Te Deum*** – A radiant hallmark of the French Baroque! Capturing the pure splendour of 17th-century France, its blazing orchestral brilliance and intricate choral writing offer a vivid, joyful contrast to the gentle intimacy of Fauré.

🎙️ **Featured Artists:**
Led by our brilliant conductor **Chalium Poppy**, the Scholars Baroque Aotearoa Chamber Choir will be joined by the popular tenor soloist **Iain Tetley**, alongside exceptional soloists from right within the ensemble.

🎹 **Special Guest:**
We are thrilled to feature distinguished Wellington musician **Douglas Mews**, renowned across New Zealand and internationally for his spectacular mastery of historic keyboard instruments.

This is going to be a richly expressive evening of colour and musical magic that you won't want to miss. Our concerts sell out quickly, so don't wait!

👉 **Secure your seats today!

📌Saturday 8th August 7.30pm
St Peter's Anglican Church, Mount Maunganui
https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2026/aug/french-masters

📌Sunday 9th August 2.30pm
St Peter's Cathedral, Hamilton
https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2026/aug/french-masters-hamilton

05/05/2026

Congratulations to our BMus(Hons) graduate Euan Safey who has been selected for a conducting workshop "for top and emerging UK and International conductors"!

On Friday 26 June, top emerging UK & international conductors showcase their talents with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in Glasgow's City Halls.

This event is the finale of a 5-day course with Visiting Professor of Conducting Martyn Brabbins (pictured). The concert will feature Brahms’ Symphony No.3, Vaughan Williams’ Tuba Concerto and the premiere of RCS composer Andrew Jacob’s 'In the Hall of the Clockwork Dancer'.

Conductors:
Max Todes, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Ethan Osman, Royal Academy of Music
Davide Trolton, Royal Northern College of Music
Jiyun Wang, University of Music and Performing Arts, Vienna
Marco Orazio Vallone, Conservatorium van Amsterdam/Royal Conservatoire The Hague
Euan Safey, Australian Conducting Academy

You can purchase your tickets through the RCS Box Office link the comments!

05/05/2026

Congratulations to our students, former students and their teachers on these recent successes!

29/04/2026

In its first concert tour of 2026, Opus Orchestra will present “Mataatua & Beethoven - Opera in Concert & Piano Concerto" from 15-17 May in Rotorua, Tauranga and Hamilton.

Your Orchestra in 2026 - https://mailchi.mp/opusorchestra/new-artistic-director-for-14191884

01/04/2026

Pianist Quang Luu Hong presented an unforgettable recital yesterday, performing Liszt’s fiendishly difficult Transcendental Études. The poetry, philosophy, and spiritual essence of this monumental cycle were captured with profound insight and realised with remarkable technical brilliance. An absolute treat.