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ABOUT THE TRUSTThe Lilburn Residence Trust was established in 2004 with the following goals:
The Trust has:
The Trustees are:
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ABOUT THE HOUSEThe house has a Historic Place Category 1 listing, confirmed in February 2006. The listing was granted on the basis of its historic associations and its architectural interest. In addition a Covenant taken out by the executors of his will prior to its sale protects the garden and grounds. It was designed for the Collins family by the Austrian refugee Frederick Herz Schwarzkopf in 1951 as a modernist addition to a neighbourhood of nineteenth century Victorian cottages. The land is almost 1100 square metres – an unusually large section for this area of Wellington. Houses in this style are quite distinctive and, inspired by the colour scheme, have been nicknamed ‘magpie houses’. Following the announcement that the property was to be sold as provided in the will a group of interested people, seeing that this was an historic opportunity to honour Lilburn’s memory and to establish a facility which would enrich the musical life of New Zealand decided to form a Trust to purchase and maintain the house as a residence primarily for composers. Mr Neil Gray of Chapman Tripp in Wellington arranged for the appropriate deed to be signed by three of the inaugural trustees, Professor Les Holborow, Jack Body ONZM and Scilla Askew late in 2004. They were joined by Dr Ian Prior and Professor Margaret Clark as additional trustees. Following confirmation by Inland Revenue that this Trust had charitable status fundraising commenced towards a target of the $420,000 which was estimated to be required. Early pledges of support from the Lottery Grants Board Environment and Heritage Committee and from the Prior family provided an excellent start to a campaign which ultimately raised a sum sufficient to enable the purchase to be completed. The Lilburn family and the community of New Zealand composers were conspicuous among the donors who contributed. Wellington City Council has, since 2005, made an annual grant towards the cost of rates and nominated activities and a small mortgage is serviced from a modest rental paid by the incumbent composer in residence. A small exhibition of documents and artworks is maintained in the house enabling it to be an attractive venue for receptions on special occasions and informal gatherings of composers and supporters of New Zealand music. The executors of the Lilburn estate commissioned the distinguished sculptor and friend of Douglas Lilburn, Tanya Ashken to design and install an entrance plaque recording Lilburn’s association with the property. There are several other properties in this part of Wellington which either provide accommodation for writers or artists or house displays of historic significance. The trustees of the Lilburn cooperate with these other organisations wherever possible to share information and experience. |
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ABOUT DOUGLAS LILBURN (ONZ)Douglas Lilburn (ONZ) is arguably 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. Lilburn was the central figure in the development of New Zealand composition between 1940 and 1980. His move to Wellington in 1949 brought to a close his first, highly productive phase of composition but enabled him to teach at the newly established Music Department of Victoria University. Lilburn’s purchase of the central yet private Ascot Street house in 1959 roughly coincided with his second phase of output, when he pioneered New Zealand composition for electronic music. During this period Lilburn’s house provided him with the essential conditions for composition, and may have inspired his creative output. It also became a “Mecca” for composers, musicians and artists. Douglas Lilburn lived at 22 Ascot Street from 1959 until his death in 2001 – more than 40 years. He had long considered setting up the house as a residence for New Zealand musicians, but at the time of his death nothing had been arranged to his satisfaction. He left a will instructing that the property be sold to the enrichment of the Lilburn Trust, which he had established in 1984 to support the development of New Zealand music. Further details of his life and works are most readily found in the definitive biography by Phillip Norman, Douglas Lilburn, His Life and Music published by Canterbury University Press in 2006. This documents in detail his relationships with other artists and writers, and the extensive support which he gave to other composers and musicians. Lilburn wrote nearly 150 work – the NZSO has twice recorded his three symphonies, and his Overture: Aotearoa is probably the most widely performed orchestral work by a New Zealand composer. |  |
Contacting the Lilburn Residence TrustPostal Address: c/- PO Box 10042, Wellington, New Zealand Email: Lilburn Residence Trust Phone Enquiries: Centre for NZ Music, Wellington - (04) 801 8602 Fax: (04) 801 8604 Charitable StatusThe Lilburn Residence Trust is a charitable trust and has been granted donee status by the Department of Inland Revenue. The Lilburn Residence Trust is registered under the Charities Act 2005. Number: CC11020.
The Lilburn Residence Trust receives funding from Wellington City Council:
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