Over the past few weeks, students from the University of Waikato Music Department have carried off prizes and earned recognition for their efforts and talents in the Gisborne International Music Competition, the PACANZ National Instrumental Competition and the Royal Overseas League National Scholarship for a New Zealand chamber music ensemble.

The ROSL Chamber Music Scholarship event was held in Hamilton at the University of Waikato for the first time over the last weekend in November, with the WEL Academy of Performing Arts being the perfect venue. This event brought together eight of the leading chamber music groups from Universities around New Zealand, and the University of Waikato's own ensembles were competing as being well and truly in the top league.

Of the three Waikato groups, the piano and cello duo of Maria Mo and Edward King came runners-up in the main competition, with the other two being placed 4th and 5th, putting the spotlight on the Music Department’s excellent and thriving chamber music programme.

In the recent Gisborne International Music Competition, two University of Waikato cellists, Masters student Callum Hall and first-year student Edward King were the only New Zealanders to make the semi-final round of 13 competitors, with Edward King, again accompanied by Maria Mo, going on to win the 3rd prize in a very closely contested final with two Australian students.

In another national music competition, the PACANZ Instrumental Contest, another cellist from James Tennant's cello class, Jisun Kim, came 2nd and, immediately after competing, made her debut as a concerto soloist, performing the Elgar Cello Concerto with the Bay of Pleny Sinfonia under James Tennant's baton.

Tennant, who is one of the country’s leading cellists, has also been honoured by the University, receiving a sought-after award for teaching excellence. This not only takes into account his inspirational work with cellos students, the results of which can been seen above, but also his unflagging energy organising other musical activities, including conducting the University’s Chamber Orchestra and directing the outstanding chamber music programme.