Auckland Philharmonia Friends Inc

02/08/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended our July MTA! We were absolutely stunned by concert pianist, Madeleine Xiao, and her performances of Liszt and Debussy. It was her first public performance of Liszt's 'Après une lecture du Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata ('After a Reading of Dante: Fantasia quasi Sonata'). The deeps of Hell and heights of Heaven were certainly scaled!
Brava, Madeleine. We will follow with pride your studies in London and beyond 🎶🎹
Photos: Steven Brodie 📸

02/08/2026

Congratulations to all these incredible young musicians!! A woodwind quartet from St Peters College, 'Olive Tree' blasted the competition away this year. Bravo!

He mihi nui ki ngā kaiwaiata rangatahi katoa — congratulations to all the talented young musicians who performed in tonight’s 2026 CMNZ NZCT Chamber Music Contest National Final.

It was a memorable evening of outstanding music-making. Every ensemble brought skill, commitment and generosity to the stage, and we hope each of our finalists feels immensely proud of what they achieved tonight.

All finalists received the June Clifford National Finalist Award.

Congratulations to tonight’s award recipients:

*Judith Clark National First Place Award*

Olive Tree, performing Trees in the Desert Suite, Mvts 1, 2, 3, 4, by Carvin Knowles (NZ)
- Dennis Liu (St Peter’s College) – Clarinet
- Aronui Williams (St Peter’s College) – Clarinet
- Tino Wu (St Peter’s College) – Bass Clarinet
- Hamish Bell (St Peter’s College) – Alto Saxophone

*Helen Young National Second Place Award*

Françaix Trio, performing Trio for Flute, Cello and Piano, Mvts. 1, 2, 4, by Jean Françaix
- Ella Yihan Zhang (King’s College) – Flute
- Jaydon Ma (Kristin School) – Cello
- Iris Youran Guo (ACG Parnell College) – Piano

*Joan Kerr National Third Place Award*

Viva La Violin (Morton Music), performing Burlesque for Three Violins & Capriccio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 2, by Friedrich Hermann
- Vivian Gao (Burnside High School) – Violin
- Fifian Zhao (Burnside High School) – Violin
- Janetta Pechybortseva (Burnside High School) – Violin

*National Award for the Best Performance of a New Zealand Work*

Olive Tree, performing Trees in the Desert Suite, Mvts 1, 2, 3, 4, by Carvin Knowles (NZ)
- Dennis Liu (St Peter’s College) – Clarinet
- Aronui Williams (St Peter’s College) – Clarinet
- Tino Wu (St Peter’s College) – Bass Clarinet
- Hamish Bell (St Peter’s College) – Alto Saxophone

*National KBB Music Award*

Simple Solutions, performing Ockham’s Razor for Saxophone Quartet by Paul Stanhope
- Lawrence Liu (St Kentigern College) – Soprano Saxophone
- Lara Diprose (St Kentigern College) – Alto Saxophone
- Jaden Lee (St Kentigern College) – Tenor Saxophone
- Wilson Li (St Kentigern College) – Baritone Saxophone

*National Adjudicator’s Award*

The Swiss Watchmakers, performing La Valse by Maurice Ravel arr. Sana Fujimori
- William Ding (Wellington College) – Piano
- Kaydi Chin (Chilton Saint James School) – Piano
- Miles Lin (Wellington College) – Piano
- Amelia Liu (Queen Margaret College) – Piano

Tēnā koutou katoa — congratulations to every musician who took part throughout this year’s Contest, and thank you to the whānau, teachers and supporters who encouraged them throughout.

Our sincere thanks to New Zealand Community Trust (NZCT) , our Major Contest Partner, and to all our partners, funders and supporters whose generosity helps us deliver the Contest in communities throughout Aotearoa each year.

31/07/2026

Thank you to everyone who attended this morning's MTA featuring the incredible young pianist, Madeleine Xiao. If you would like to support Madeleine with her fundraising towards studying in London, you might like to join several of the Friends at this concert!

https://events.humanitix.com/the-next-movement-madeleine-xiao-s-farewell-fundraising-concert-for-london

27/07/2026

Our next MTA is this Friday, July 31st War Memorial Hall, home of Ellerslie Arts.
Time: Doors open 10:00am for 10:30 start.
Artist: Concert pianist, Madeleine Xiao, will chat with Jackie Wilkinson and perform for us.
Madeleine is our artist this month instead of Esther Stephens who we had previously advertised. We'll meet Esther next month instead.

Since we last hosted Madeleine she has completed her Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree at the University of Auckland. She was a 2026 Michael Hill Fellow (International Violin Competition) and in the recent past has appeared as soloist with leading orchestras including Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, TIMM Orchestra (Italy), and Bach Musica, and is the youngest-ever winner of the University of Auckland Concerto Competition.

A passionate chamber musician, Madeleine has collaborated with numerous internationally acclaimed artists and was twice invited to the At the World’s Edge Festival as both Emerging Artist and Fellow. She performs regularly nationwide and is widely regarded as one of New Zealand’s leading young chamber musicians.

Madeleine is leaving for London in early September to study for her Masters at the Royal Academy of Music. We wish her all the very best and will follow her career with pride!

28/06/2026

Another wonderful MTA was held on Friday 26 June. Thank you to all our atendees and guest artists. Sangria Jazz Quartet (Cedric Charles, piano; Lexie Buchanan, vocals; Feiyang Wu, bass; Matthew Tibbitts, drums) performed toe-tapping jazz standards and our guest interviewee, Dr Morag Atchison, outlined her very busy and successful musical career to date.
See you July 31st for our next MTA.

Photo credit: Steven Brodie

20/06/2026

All welcome! JUNE MTA 10:30am, Friday 26 June

Ellerslie War Memorial Hall | Ellerslie Arts
134/138 Main Highway, Ellerslie
Cost:
$15 (members)
$20 (non-members)
A light lunch is included

Our guest interviewee will be Dr Morag Atchison DMA, DipRAM, PGDip(Perf), BMus(Hons), LRAM. The Friends will be honoured to host Morag who is one of New Zealand’s leading sopranos and pedagogues.

Live music will be provided by University of Auckland Aspiring Artists in the form of Sangria Jazz Quartet:

Cedric Charles (Piano)
Lexie Buchanan (Vocals)
Feiyang Wu (Bass)
Matthew Tibbitts (Drums)

18/06/2026

Thanks Auckland Philharmonia! We love being part of the family!

Behind every concert is a community of people helping to make it happen.

This National Volunteer Week, we're shining a spotlight on the Auckland Philharmonia Friends Inc, a remarkable group of volunteers whose passion for music and dedication to the orchestra have enriched our organisation for more than four decades.

Their contribution goes far beyond what audiences see on concert night. Whether they're welcoming audiences, sharing programmes, hosting musicians, supporting fundraising initiatives, or helping create special experiences for our patrons, the Friends are an important part of the Auckland Phil whānau.

Thank you Friends!

02/06/2026

Thanks to the 80 Friends and guests who attended our May 29th MTA! It was a wonderful morning of beautiful music from Auckland Phil strings - Minglun Liu, Lucy Qi Zhang, Shek Li, Begonia Chan - they truly took us on a musical journey 🎻
Auckland Phil Production Manager, Adrian Raven, also gave us insight into his 'behind the stage' role, together with learning about his many other skills; motor mechanic, tuba player and wood-worker to name but a few! Jenny Raven, Auckland Phil percussionist star, also popped in.
See you all June 26th when we will welcome soprano Morag Atchison to Ellerslie!
Photos: Steven Brodie

23/05/2026

Friday May 29th MTA
10:30am
Ellerslie War Memorial Hall | Ellerslie Arts
Cost:
$15 (members)
$20 (non-members)
A light lunch is included

Featuring: Auckland Philharmonia string players
Minglun Liu - Violin
Lucy Qi Zhang - Violin
Shek Wan Li - Viola
Begonia Chan - Cello

Auckland Philharmonia Production Manager: Adrian Raven
Have your ever wanted to meet the man who gets all the instruments on and off stage at an Auckland Phil concert? For this MTA, Auckland Philharmonia Production Manager Adrian Raven will talk with Delysse about musical logistics, what it takes to get a full orchestra on stage, and perks of the job.