The South Waikato Music Society Season Finale

South Waikato Music Society will conclude its 2011 season by welcoming back the New Zealand Chamber Soloists for their concert. The South Waikato audience is indeed fortunate to have this trio perform as they leave the following day for 10 days teaching and performing in China.

This New Zealand Chamber Soloists was formed in 2006 when Lara Hall joined the teaching faculty of the University of Waikato. At the heart of the group is piano trio consisting of pianist Katherine Austin, violinist Lara Hall and cellist James Tennant. These musicians are passionate about revitalising classical music as a spontaneous, vitally alive, and expressive experience which can uplift an audience. To this end they often include other musicians and instruments when performing.

This concert features the Piano Trio which since formation has toured Europe, The United States and South America. Its 2010 year saw them invited to play in summer festivals in Italy and give master classes in France the U.S. and Colombia.

Lara Hall is Lecturer in Violin and Viola at the University and director of the Waikato Junior Music Academy and Accelerando. Her Doctorate was achieved at the University of Michigan and has been performing since the age of seven with an orchestral performance by the age of 15.

James Tennant, the cellist is American born and also a graduate of the University of Michigan and is an extremely popular soloist and chamber musician. Currently he is the senior lecturer at the university but has been familiar to audiences in the Tennant-Austin duo; the Ogen Trio and the NZ Chamber Soloists.

Katherine Austin comes from the original New Zealand Young Musician of the Year in 1982 to her position of lecturer in piano at the university through years of study in London and Europe and a full scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London.

In their programming the group provide a diverse spectrum of music, frequently including original works and commissions For The Plaza performance, they have included a Gareth Farr composition ‘Ahi’ in addition to a Babajanian Piano Trio and a Brahms Piano Trio.

There will be door sales at $25 per person for the concert and students under 18 are always welcome to South Waikato Music Society concert free.

Event listed by The Plaza Theatre Putaruru

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