Wendy van Delden receiving 2007 Kapiti Civic Award from Mayor Alan Milne

The following is an excerpt from the citation submitted by the President and Committee of the Waikanae Music Society and supported by Chamber Music New Zealand, Michael Houstoun and Joan Sherley QSM.

“In 2006 Wendy van Delden completed 25 years as Concert Manager for the Waikanae Music Society. Over this time she has negotiated close to 300 concerts and related activities for the Society. In addition she has been active in arranging music for schools, maintaining close contact with musicians and liasing with Chamber Music New Zealand and musicians from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra to provide concerts. She has also assisted the visiting musicians with advice on travel, making arrangements for the special requirements the artists may have and kept in close contact with local media as the Society’s publicity officer.

Wendy is a foundation and committee member of the Society which was started 28 years ago to provide concerts on the Kapiti Coast. She and her late husband Gerard were mainly responsible for raising funds to purchase a concert grand piano for the Society. As a music teacher she has untiringly worked for schools and young performers.

In no small way it is due to Wendy’s contribution that the Waikanae Music Society has the reputation of being one of the best smaller centre music societies in New Zealand.”