The ‘Chissy Champs’ quintet take to the stage at the annual Chamber Music New Zealand Canterbury District Contest.

This week our ‘Chissy Champs’ quintet took part in the Chamber Music New Zealand Canterbury District Contest. Over the past two days, 55 ensembles from across the region have taken part in the event which is open to students in Year 7-13.

The quintet, comprising of Hamish Thom (Year 8, alto saxophone), Luke Thwaites (Year 7, clarinet), Leon Pickles (Year 8, trumpet), Lilly Hill (Year 7, Flute), and Viviene Taualofa (Year 8, violin) performed two works to an appreciative audience at The Piano. The adjudicator shared valuable feedback with the group at the end of their session to help them keep developing their ensemble skills for future performances.

In its 60th year in 2025, the NZCT Chamber Music Contest is dedicated to nurturing young musicians of all proficiency levels within a supportive and growth-oriented atmosphere, while also commemorating the pinnacle of student ensemble performance in Aotearoa. The contest celebrates the remarkable versatility innate to chamber music, epitomising the essence of profound, intimate, music up close experiences spanning a diverse spectrum of repertoire and genres, from classical to contemporary.

By Emma Jarman