Quintet takes out two awards in national chamber music finals

The Virtuoso Strings Quintet from Porirua took out two of the six awards in the national finals of the 2023 NZCT Chamber Music Contest in Ōtautahi Christchurch on 5 August.

The multicultural group from the Virtuoso Strings Orchestra (VSO) received the National Award for the Best Performance of a New Zealand Composition and the Adjudicators’ Award for their performance.

The young players were supported by their proud mums and auntie, who were funded by the VSO to travel to Ōtautahi for the occasion. The finals will be broadcast on RNZ Concert’s Music Alive on Tuesday 22 August at 8.00pm.

Photo (left to right): Bawk Mai NKhum (mother of Zung Bawm)! June Chong-Nee (mother of Jillian), Laupule Alapati (mother of Veititi), Veititi Alapati (cello), Teddy Sneyd-Utting (viola), Zung Bawm La Htaw (violin), Rochelle Pese (violin), Usugafono Pese (mother of Rochelle), Jillian Tupuse (viola), Fetalaiga Mascoe (auntie of Jillian).