NEWSLETTER

AMICI ENSEMBLE

As another exciting International Festival of the Arts draws to a close, we are readying for the start of our concert season. I know we always say what a great programme we have, but we really do this year, with a highlight being our pair of concerts in June featuring Feng Ning, the Michael Hill International Violin Competition winner (accompanied by Michael Houstoun) and John Chen. But first up is...

SUBSCRIPTIONS
Most members have paid their subs for this year. If you have not done so already, please mail your cheque to us (in the postage-paid envelope that was attached to your brochure) before the first concert you will be attending. With 78 new members having joined to date this year, and a total membership of 435, the tables taking ticket money at the door will be hectic and, where possible, we would prefer not to recieve subs at that time.

BUYING TICKETS IN ADVANCE
If you wish to avoid queuing for tickets at the Memorial Hall on concert days, in the two weeks leading up to each concert you can buy them from the ticket counter at Waikanae New World at no extra cost.

SUNDAY 2 APRIL AT 2.30PM WAIKANAE MEMORIAL HALL

AMICI ENSEMBLE


SAINT - SAËNS

Septet in E flat Major, Opus 65 for Piano, Trumpet and Strings


DVORÁK

String Quintet in G Major, Opus 77 (string quartet and double bass)


SCHUBERT

Trout Quintet, Opus 114

Per concert price: Members $15 Public $21 "Under 20s" no charge

The Amici Ensemble was formed in 1988 and is led by NZSO Associate Concertmaster Donald Armstrong. They are committed to performing works of all periods for differing combinations of instruments from the very small to the very large. Our Society has certainly been treated to many such performances, and know well that Amici Ensemble concerts are always exciting and not to be missed!

This year's line-up of players comprises Donald Armstrong and Andrew Thomson (violins), Vyvyan Yendoll (viola), Robert Ibell (cello), Dale Gold (double bass), Michael Kirgan (trumpet) and Emma Sayers (piano).

DONALD ARMSTRONG has been Associate Concertmaster with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra since 1987 after eight years overseas, where he completed a masters degree at New England Conservatory in Boston. He plays a violin by Nicolo Gagliano of 1754.

ANDREW THOMSON became the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's Principal Second Violin and its youngest section principal in 2000. He performs regularly with Stroma and plays the viola for Felix the Quartet.

VYVYAN YENDOLL studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and came to New Zealand in 1962. He was appointed Principal Viola of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in 1964 and has appeared as soloist with them on numerous occasions.

ROBERT IBELL has been a member of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra since 1993. He is also a member of the Nevine Quartet and contemporary music group "Stroma".

DALE GOLD , originally from Philadelphia, is on the faculty of Victoria University School of Music, and has performed as Principal Double Bass with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, also with the NZSO Chamber Orchestra, CadeNZa, the NZ Jazz Orchestra and the World Philharmonic Orchestra.

MICHAEL KIRGAN studied Trumpet Performance at Northern Illinois University, and then post-graduate studies at Northwestern University. In 1995, Michael joined the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra as Associate Principal Trumpet, and is currently Principal Trumpet.

EMMA SAYERS, from Wellington, is active as a solo pianist, accompanist, chamber musician and teacher. She spent 5 years at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary, and returned to New Zealand in 1998.