Waikato cellist King off to Germany

University of Waikato cellist Edward King leaves for Germany on Tuesday to study for his Masters of Music at the Leopold Mozart Centre in Augsburg. The night before, he’ll give a final public recital at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts at the University.

Edward has won two significant scholarships that will help him with his study – the Universities New Zealand Patricia Pratt Scholarship in Musical Performance which is worth $25,000 and the Sir Henry Cooper Memorial Scholarship which will give him $10,000 a year for two years.

Next Stop Augsburg

His teacher at Augsburg will be Julius Berger, one of Germany’s finest cellists. “I first saw him give a master class in 2009, and was really interested in his teaching. So last year I attended the Salzburg Mozarteum Summer Academy and had a few lessons with him, just to check he was the right teacher for me.”

In June this year King auditioned for a place at the Leopold Mozart Centre and was one of a handful applicants to secure a place.

He has recently been in Wellington doing some casual work with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for their Brahms series. “While I studied at Waikato I’ve had so many opportunities to perform around New Zealand and in the UK, but going to Germany means I’ll have to start afresh, make new connections and hopefully create some sort of profile for myself overseas.”

He says the standard of cellists at Augsburg is extremely high, so he’ll be competing with, and hopefully making friends with, some really great musicians.

Earlier Success

Last year King won first prize at the National Concerto Competition and toured the UK as part of the Leonari Trio after they won the Pettman/Royal Overseas league International Scholarship. Pianist Maria Mo – another Waikato graduate - is based in Vienna, studying for her masters while violinist Hilary Hayes is studying in Christchurch.

While based in Germany, King hopes he can enter some of the many competitions available around Europe, as a soloist and also with the trio in chamber music competitions. “I really enjoy playing chamber music, and it’s potentially a career option for me.

Good Preparation

“I think Waikato set me up really well to take this next step towards my goal of becoming an international soloist. My teachers have supported and pushed me to succeed, and what’s really been good are the numerous opportunities I’ve had to perform; next to practice, it’s the most important thing.”

Edward King was part of the Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship Programme during his time at the University of Waikato and a recipient of the Sir Edmund Hillary Medal in his final year, given to top scholars for academic excellence and notable performance in their chosen performing art or sport.