Eight vie for N.Z. honour

Press, 13 May 1987, Page 22

Eight vie for N.Z. honour

The search is on for a young pianist to represent New Zealand in the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition in Utah in the United States next year. , Eight of the country’s top young pianists are vying for the honour but only one will be selected to perform in the international competition. The eight are Richard Chandler and Julie Adams from Christchurch, Read Gainsford and Fiona Steedman who are studying in Lohdon, Andrew Millar from Auckland, Eugene Albulescu, Gioia Brunord and David Brooks from Wellington. During this year a series of preliminary selection rounds will be held in countries around the world. Each of the section winners will receive a free return airfare to the United States. The New Zealand section of the competition will be sponsored by Mobil Oil New Zealand, Ltd.

New Zealand’s co-ordi-nator for the event is Peter Avert, who was on the jury for thb 1986 competition in Salt Lake City. He said entries received by the March 31 closing date included many of this country’s most talented young musicians and it would-be a difficult task for the judges to select a winner. All musicians will audition in Wellington on June 6 and will be judged by a five-person panel which includes the competition director and the head of the Piano Faculty at Utah’s Brigham Young University, Dr Paul Pollei. Dr Pollei is joining judges in each country to help with the selection process. The other judges will be. Tamas Vesmas, Auckland University: Margaret Nielson, Victoria University; Maurice Till, Canterbury University: and Terrehce Dennis, Otago University. ,