Year 13 student and Deputy Head of School, John Penyas, represented St Paul’s at the National semi-finals of the NZCT Chamber Music contest in Christchurch in early August.
Only six ensembles were selected from 500 groups around the country who were involved in regional finals, for the instrumental performance section.
John, playing the piano, led his group the Lichnowsky Trio, consisting of a student from Hillcrest High School and another from Hamilton Boys’ High School, in the final.
The contest is viewed as a well-known rite of passage for this country’s top musicians, many of whom have gone on to successful musical careers. Pianists Michael Houstoun and John Chen; Violinist Wilma Smith and Ben Smith; and composers, John Psathas and Alwyn Westbrooke have all competed in the competition.
Unfortunately, the trio did not make it through to the final round of competition, but they did acquit themselves very well and represented their region with pride and performed their piece with passion.
Image courtasy of Simon Darby, Wanaka Photography
