Young musicians to compete for Scholarships

Young musicians to compete for Scholarships, including WHS student Ben Power (left).

Last year's Intermediate section winners. Three of the students (Ben Power, Rada Punnarujawong - 1st and 2nd from the left and Earth Sunthornyanakit (far right) will be performing again this year. Ben and Rada have moved up to the Senior class as they are both at Grade 8 level now.

Each September the IRMT (Institute of Registered Musical Teachers) Wanganui branch runs its major performance competition, the Sonja Wilson Memorial Scholarships, for young musicians of Grade 6 and above. This event was established in 2005 in memory of Sonja Wilson, the IRMT Chairperson for several years and a well-known pianist and teacher in the region. 

Since then, the competition has expanded to include further awards and trophies in memory of local musicians and teachers – the Nita Oldham Award for the most promising singer, the Clarice Weir Scholarship for most promising string player and, new last year, the Judy Barrett Memorial Cup for “outstanding piano performance”. Judy Barrett, who passed away early last year, was Chairperson of the Wanganui IRMT. She was a wonderful teacher, accompanist, choral conductor and friend and this cup, honouring her memory, will be presented at the scholarship finals.

There are two parts to this annual event held this year on Saturday, 15 September (preliminaries) and Wednesday, 19 September (finals).

The preliminary rounds, adjudicated by Jenny Boyack from Palmerston North, will take place at St Paul’s Church Hall, Cooks St, beginning at 9.45am with the Intermediate class (Grade 6 & 7 students), followed by the vocal class at approximately 12pm and then in the afternoon from 2pm, the seniors (Grade 8 and above). 

The Senior class runs as a preliminary event from which 6 finalists are selected, who then go on to perform a 15 minute programme in the Prince Edward Auditorium, Wanganui Collegiate School. This year the Finals will be held on Wednesday, 19 September at 7pm. In addition the winner of the Intermediate Class and the winner of the Nita Oldham trophy, will showcase their talent with a short performance at the end of the evening. 

The adjudicator for this year’s finals is Richard Mapp, well known pianist and teacher, as well as an examiner for the NZMEB.

Preliminaries - Saturday, September 15 at 9.45am to 5pm. St Paul’s Church Hall Cooks St. Single session – adults and students $5.00. Day pass - Adults $10, students $5.

Finals - Wednesday, September 19 at 7pm. Prince Edward Auditorium, Wanganui Collegiate School (parking in Grey St, or in the sports area car park). Adults $15, students $5.