Current Visiting Composer: Samuel Holloway; current NZSM/CNZ Composer-in-Residence: Ross Harris
In June, Lyell Cresswell ended his year at the Residence and has returned to Edinburgh. Amongst the highlights were the premieres of his work Canterbury Rhymes by the Christchurch Symphony and trumpet concerto Alas, how swift! by the NZSO (dedicated to David Farquhar). In May Ylur was featured in the NZSO’s Made in New Zealand concert—written in 1990 this was the first performance in NZ. This was followed by the publication of a beautiful limited edition of the score by Waiteata Press, launched at a special ‘Meet the Composer’ concert at the NZ School of Music, where Stephen de Pledge played some of Lyell’s new and recent piano works. A few signed copies of the score of Ylur are available from SOUNZ or Waiteata Press. For the next 12 months Auckland composer Samuel Holloway will be working in Wellington and living at the Lilburn Residence.
Because Ross Harris, the 2007–2008 NZ School of Music—Creative New Zealand Composer in Residence, lives in Wellington he did not require accommodation at the Residence. The Trust therefore, invited submissions from interested composers, and with the help of an independent panel invited Samuel Holloway to take up residence in the house for a year from July 2007. One of the deciding factors in their choice was the programme of work being undertaken during the year. Samuel is a recent Masters graduate from Auckland University where he was awarded the Lilburn Prize for his work Malleus. Earlier this year he won the Asian Composers League Yoshiro Irino Memorial Prize for his orchestral work Fault. He has also been awarded the 2007 CANZ Trust Fund Award and will represent New Zealand at the ISCM/ACL Festival in Hong Kong in November when the Luxembourg Sinfonietta will perform his work Stapes. In September he will have a work premiered by Wellington ensemble Gateseven. During his time at the Residence, Sam will be composing a new work for Stroma’s 2008 season, a work for Australian clarinettist, Richard Haynes, and will embark on a collaboration with dancers at the New Zealand School of Dance. Samuel comments, “The use of the residence gives me an opportunity to focus on various projects in an environment conducive to writing. It will be an honour and a privilege to reside in Douglas Lilburn’s house.
On June 14 it was confirmed that the Lilburn Residence Trust's offer for the house has been accepted. Final settlement was on July 29 giving the Trustees a little over six weeks to raise about two thirds of the purchase price. The NZ Lotteries Board Environment and Heritage Committee gave a generous grant of $150,000, leaving a further $275,000 to be raised. Only a further$30,000 is required, and this is currently being managed through a generous no-interest loan.
We thank everyone who contributed to this magnificent success.
Douglas Lilburn (ONZ) 1915-2001, is New Zealand’s most distinguished composer. His influence on his contemporaries and succeeding generations of composers has been far-reaching, both in practical and inspirational terms. His legacy deserves appropriate and continuing recognition. He lived in Thorndon, Wellington from 1959 until his death in 2001 – more
than 40 years. His house makes an ideal residence for composers and will
become a fitting tribute to his legacy. Recently a Composer in Residence
position has been created by a partnership between Creative NZ and the
New Zealand School of Music. The house will be available to the composer
holding this residency.
Proceeds from the sale of the house have gone to the Lilburn Trust, which was set up by the composer in 1984 to preserve and promote New Zealand music. The fact that, in this way, the sale of the house has contributd to New Zealand's musical life well into the future means that contributions to the Lilburn Residence Trust have done more than just buy the property. They are helping to develop and document our musical heritage. The maintenance costs of the house have been estimated and can be covered from grants and income from donations.
We appreciate your support.
Click here to contact the Trust. Click here to Donate.
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