One of Bay of Plenty Symphonia’s prime objectives is to encourage young musicians – both in playing instruments and appreciating orchestral music. The community orchestra does this by dedicating one of their concerts each year to ‘youth music’. In alternate years the Symphonia usually presents a concert programme designed with youngsters in mind, or runs a ‘Rising Stars’ competition for secondary school level students.
Next year sees the Symphonia’s eighth biennial Rising Stars Competition. This popular competition is designed to give young musicians from around the Bay of Plenty a platform to exhibit their talent, and to introduce them to the New Zealand public. Once again there will be two classes: a concerto competition for instrumentalists and a composition competition. Concerto finalists will perform with the orchestra at a special concert on 27 August 2023 and the winner will be selected on the night by a panel of professional, nationally recognised judges. The winning composition will also be performed by the orchestra.
Further details and entry forms are available from bopssecretary@gmail.com or on the orchestra’s website, www.bopsymphonia.org.nz. Entries (indicating intention to take part) close on 3rd March 2023.
Image: The winner of BOP Symphonia’s 2021 Rising Stars concerto competition, Hayden Butt, performs Debussy’s ‘Première Rhapsodie’ with the orchestra.
