CCMC AGM Report Final Oct 2015
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
The Seventy-fourth ANNUAL REPORT of the CHRISTCHURCH CIVIC MUSIC COUNCIL Inc. To be presented at the Annual General Meeting Held on Friday, 16th October 2015 Music Suite, St Andrew’s College 347 Papanui Road, Papanui Agenda 1. Registration (6.30pm) 2. Welcome, Apologies, Roll Call (7.00pm) 3. Minutes of the AGM held on the 17th October 2014: 3.1 Corrections 3.2 Confirmation 3.3 Matters Arising 4. Annual Reports: 4.1 Presentation of the Financial Statements (year ended 30th June 2015) 4.2 Presentation of the President’s Annual Report (year ended 30th June 2015) 4.3 Adoption of the Annual Reports 5. Musical Interlude: Stephen Watson (Piano) Winner of the Ernest Empson Scholarship, 2015 6. Election of officers: 6.1 President 6.2 Vice-President 6.3 An Executive of Nine (Each Executive Member has a term of 3 years) The following members, elected in 2013 remain for a further 1 year. Julie Rathgen (Cecilian Singers), Laurence Varlet (Global Voices) and John Allan (Nut Point Centre) The following members, elected in 2014 remain for a further 2 years. Robert Tait (Apollo Musicum) and Virginia Rennie (IRMT). 6.4 Auditor 7. General Business 8. Closure 9. Light Refreshments President’s Report The 74th Annual Report of the Christchurch Civic Music Council for the year ending 30 June 2015. It is my pleasure, on behalf of the Executive, to present this 74th Annual Report of the Christchurch Civic Music Council. I believe that the past year ending the 30th June 2015 has seen a number of positive developments in music in Christchurch. It has been heartening to see a number of music venues developed or reinstated including the Isacc Theatre Royal, The Piano and the signing of work to begin on the Town Hall Auditorium to name but a few. Another pleasing development has seen a large number of music groups which have appeared including some of those that were featured in this years ‘Festival of Voices’. It would be inappropriate to single out any particular highlights but I would like to congratulate all our affiliated societies for the dedicated work they are doing in the promotion of musical activity in and around Christchurch. Traditionally our city is well recognised for its musical creativity and your efforts in this area play an enormous role in this artistic life of our community. We particularly welcome our new affiliates to the council. During the year, the Christchurch Civic Music Council has worked in a range of ways for the betterment of music in the city and its surrounds. The National Concerto Competition® 2014/15 One of the Christchurch Civic Music Council’s major events is that of the National Concerto Competition®. The 48th year of the competition featured young pianists from throughout New Zealand. The adjudicators Donna Coleman (Melbourne), Terence Dennis (Dunedin), Catherine Denley (Trinity College) commented on the outstanding level of performances throughout the competition. The finals were a great success with all three outstanding finalists performing superbly well. First Place went to Bradley Wood (Christchurch) playing Piano Concerto No 1 in F sharp minor, Op.1 by Sergei Rachmaninoff. Second Place went to Kent Isomura (Auckland) and Third place to Liam Wooding (Wanganui). The People’s Choice was won by Bradley Wood, and the Junior Jury selected Liam Wooding. As for last year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Howard Harvey, in his role of Executive Manager, for his continued excellent work in ensuring overall responsibility for this event, and to Carmel Brown the Project Manager. Our sponsors play a key role in assisting us and we thank them sincerely. Left to Right: Terence Dennis (Adjudicator), Liam The three semi-finalists (not chosen for the finals). Wooding (3rd place), Kent Isomura (2nd place), Erin Kong (Christchurch), Moon Su Lee (Auckland), Bradley Wood (Winner), Donna Coleman Modi Deng (Dunedin). (Adjudicator). na Morton (violin) 1st equal, Nathaniel Smorti (clarinet) 3rd place. The next annual National Concerto Competition® features instruments other than the piano and sees the preliminary rounds held in the Middleton Grange Performing Arts Centre from the 9th - 11th December with the semi-finals being held on the evening of the 11th December. The Final takes place in the Aurora Centre on Saturday 5th March 2016. Affiliates are reminded of The Friends of the National Concerto Competition® Trust fund, which is now well established. As this organisation has charitable and donee status we would encourage participation in making contributions to this fund. Five years ago the Christchurch Civic Music Council established the Civic Music Council National Concerto Competition Trust. This has proved to be most worthwhile and has had the effect of streamlining much of the work of the Executive. The trustees for this Trust are appointed by the Executive of the Christchurch Civic Music Council but in other respects, including financial aspects, the Trust is a separate entity and is registered with the Charities Commission. Although financial activities of the Trust are no longer required to be reported to the Annual General Meeting of the Christchurch Civic Music Council, a general report will be given. Instruments The Neupert Harpsichord is currently housed in the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra’s rehearsal area at Unit 2, 4 Klondyke Drive. Affiliates are reminded that this instrument is available for hire and subject to approval may be used at other city venues. The larger of the Steinway pianos is housed at Burnside High School’s Aurora Centre and the other, which was housed in the Great Hall of the Arts Centre, is now located at Middleton Grange. It is pleasing to note that these pianos are being used by a range of musical organisations and provide a small source of income for the Council. The upright Yamaha, which was kept in the James Hay Theatre is currently in the Horncastle Arena and is reportedly in reasonably condition though has been used comparably infrequently in the Arena. Advocacy Advocacy is a major part of the work of the Council. During the course of the year a number of meetings have been held with a range of groups to discuss various issues particularly relating to music venues in the city. The initiative entitled The Voice of Music has maintained its role, with a readiness to respond to any political issues, which may have a bearing on the future of music in the city. We have also supported a number of our affiliates in assisting with discussion in respect of future planning. An effort has been made to ensure that the voice of music is being heard and that the Civic Music Council is making a real effort to make a worthwhile contribution to the future of music in the City. During the year a further submission was made to the city council in respect for support for the Town Hall complex particularly the auditorium. Our presentation was well received and we were fortunate to be invited to the official signing of the contract between the Christchurch City Council and the construction firm. Some of the Council’s recent presentations in respect of advocacy for music venues, particularly that of the Town Hall. A City Makes Music (2014) Following the success of the John Ritchie 90th Birthday Celebration in 2011, the Christchurch: The Voice of Music concert in 2012, Strum Strike and Blow 2013 the Council held two concerts in September 2014, the first Celebrating our Musical Diversity in association with the Christchurch Migrant Centre and the second a further concert Strum Strike and Blow. These concerts were both great successes and again pointed to the huge diversity of music we have in this city. Congratulations to all the ethnic groups who were involved in the first concert. A special mention of the work of the Musical Directors of Strum Strike and Blow, Celia Stewart and Judith Bell for the monumental effort they put into creating, organising and rehearsing the programme over many months. Congratulations also to the eight hundred or so performers involved in the evening. Our thanks also to the many schools and their teachers involved. Additionally, our thanks go to the members of the School of Music, University of Canterbury Percussion Ensemble and to the backing band. We were most fortunate in having the support of sponsorship from The Canterbury Community Trust and Yamaha who allowed this event to be held. It was decided that these two concerts become a blue print pattern for the 2015 year. A City Makes Music (2015) While these concerts were held in August this year I believe it is worth reporting on the success of these two concerts. The Festival of Voices proved to be an excellent event under the outstanding musical direction of Ravil Atlas. This concert was a celebration of pop, rock barbershop and more. The items featuring thirteen Christchurch vocal groups were outstanding and a real credit to those directing the various groups. Once again Strum Strike and Blow was a great success and again a real credit to those all involved. This year a decision was made to make a $5 admission charge. Up to this date we have been very fortunate in obtaining a substantial sponsorship from Creative New Zealand. We also were very fortunate in obtaining sponsorship from the The Canterbury Community Trust, Pub Charity, Mega Mitre 10 and support from the Rotary Club of Avonhead. There is of course no guarantee that this sponsorship will be available in the future should a decision be made to continue with these concerts. Ruby Hay Scholarship The 2014 joint winners of the Ruby Hay Scholarship were Amy Ga Hee Lee and Siyu Sun.