Adam Chamber Music Festival

04/08/2026

We all need more Ross Harris in our lives!

Here's his wonderful Klezmer Tunes, performed at the 2026 Adam Festival as part of the Waiting Day concerts.

So thrilling to watch Peter Clark (violin), Arna Morton (violin), Gillian Ansell (viola) and Martin Smith (cello) in this stellar performance as the New Zealand String Quartet.

Many thanks to Bob Bickerton (audio), SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music (film and editing) and NZ On Air (funding).

In addition to writing in a contemporary classical style, Ross Harr...

19/07/2026

We highly recommend Martinborough Music Festival as a perfect springtime destination. Artistic directors Wilma Smith and Donald Armstrong have programmed a fantastic line-up with a highlight being Japanese-born violinist Kana Ohashi performing in one of the festival’s signature events, Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons.

Martinborough Music Festival
20-27 September, with 10 events celebrating it's 10th anniversary
www.martinboroughmusicfestival.co.nz

https://limelight-arts.com.au/news/martinborough-music-festival-announces-milestone-10th-year-event/

One of Aotearoa/New Zealand's leading chamber music gatherings presents an expanded program, intentional guests and a world premiere.

16/07/2026

A short history by Ruby Solly on taonga pūoro including the role of Hirini Melbourne, Richard Nunns and Brian Flintoff, as the group Haumanu. In the 1980s, Haumanu travelled around Aotearoa collating treasured pieces of knowledge that had been kept safe since the Tohunga Suppression Act of 1907.

From bold ideas to real talk from the creative frontlines — explore our editorial columns sharing stories that shape Aotearoa's creative scene.

13/07/2026

You will probably have heard already about Samuel Mataele winning the 2026 Kiri Te Kanawa Song Quest.

At just 19, Samuel is the youngest winner in the competitions's 70 year history, as well as being the first countertenor.

You can watch the full concert on this link, or zoom ahead to 1hr 19mins to hear Samuel sing 'Rompo I lacci' from Handel's opera Flavio. Stupendous! Definitely a career to watch.

Congratulations to all the 2026 finalists: Cecily Shaw, Faamanu Fonoti-Fuimaono
Jordan Fonoti-Fuimaono, Samuel Downes, Samuel Mataele and Sarah Mileham.

The Grand Final Gala with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for th...

07/07/2026

It's worth watching the wrap-up video for the Michael Hill International Violin Competition as an insight into what a massive undertaking it is!

2026 was the 25th anniversary of the competition, with a special special guest in attendance - Peter Paul Kainraith, President of the World Federation of International Music Competitions. "This anniversary edition of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition has demonstrated how a competition can today effectively position itself within both local and international cultural life, whilst offering participating artists a truly inspiring and formative experience. Ideally, a competition is always more than just a competition. This is particularly true of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition."

Congratulations to everyone at the MHIVC on another spectacular year.

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

23/06/2026

Vale to Mark Smythe, who died suddenly while hiking near his home in LA.

Nelson-born, and based in LA for many years, Mark was an award-winning composer and conductor. In the 2024 Adam Festival, harpist Helen Webby performed Mark's Moto Mojo for harp and delay pedal (commissioned by Helen).

Recently there was a gathering at Nelson Centre of Musical Arts to remember and celebrate Mark's life. Our condolences to Mark's family and friends.

Click here for the obituary on RNZ. https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/culture/nz-born-composer-mark-smythe-dies-suddenly-on-hiking-trip-at-53

Here's a piece that Mark composed, and is performing on electric guitar, from 2024.

https://youtu.be/KcS63YVn_NA?si=-2JTtIrt6qgt3Mg6

Mark Smythe - Song of the Sea Part IIILassenne VocaleIvan Yohan,...

22/06/2026

We have a series of videos of the 2026 festival - massive thanks to all our artists and to Innit Creative.

We think the video really captures the spirit of the Adam, especially those lovely shared moments between the musicians and the audience.

Enjoy this one, especially knowing there are more to come.

Adam Chamber Music Festival is biennial festival of ten-days of fine music, conversation and celebration. Immerse yourself into a thrilling programme of concerts, artist talks and masterclasses in the intimate surrounds of the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, as well as a special evening of Bach at Ne...

07/06/2026

Congratulations to Beatrice Colombis - defeintily one to keep an eye out for in the future.

18/05/2026

Lovely to see violinist Mana Waiariki (violinist, Antipodes Quartet) as a Fellow at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition.

As part of the Insider Guides series, Mana will be talking with composer Selina Fisher about her commission for the 2026 competition, 'Chasm', that all 16 finalists entrant must perform.

Queenstown Competition Programme 29 May - 1 June 2026 Every three years, Queenstown hosts the Michael Hill International Violin Competition’s thrilling quarter-finals. Sixteen extraordinary young violinists aged 18 to 26 are flown to Aotearoa New Zealand from across the globe to showcase their vir...

17/05/2026

Of course, we all know this already...

https://limelight-arts.com.au/news/the-arts-good-for-what-ails-you/

A new report suggests that regular engagement with the arts is as effective as physical exercise when it comes to slowing the ageing process.