SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music

SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music SOUNZ champions the music of Aotearoa. SOUNZ is governed by a volunteer board of trustees who meet four times a year in Wellington.
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Collect: We maintain and develop a diverse collection of quality New Zealand music resources (scores, audio, video etc) and make them available for loan, hire and sale, accessed through SOUNZ Online. Curate: We offer guidance to the resources in the collection so that our users can find the information or the material they need. Connect: We connect performers, presenters, teachers, composers, art

istic directors and broadcasters with New Zealand music through our promotional activities and projects:

- NZSO-SOUNZ-RNZC Recordings provide new recordings of NZ orchestral music for promotional purposes and free streaming on our website.
- SOUNZ Contemporary Award presented in partnership with APRA rewards excellence and inspiration in contemporary art music composition.
- Resound project supported by NZ On Air and in partnership with RNZ Concert has made many historical recordings of NZ concert music available online, produced new studio recordings of key works, and allowed us to film live concerts for free online streaming. We are registered as a charitable trust with the charities commission (CC22488). SOUNZ is a member of IAMIC , the International Association of Music Information Centres, and the International Music Council of Unesco.

26/07/2024

Of his 2015 piano trio ‘Forbidden Colours’ Gareth Farr writes,

“I became intrigued by a phenomenon called “forbidden colours” – unseeable by the human eye because their light frequencies automatically cancel each other out. The piece establishes itself as a blurry, impressionistic texture – but soon, things start popping into focus, and then sliding away again out of view. I have tried to create the musical equivalent of when you have to strain your eyes to make something out – to even ascertain if you're looking at anything at all, or if it's just a figment of your retinas.”

The work is performed in this film by NZTrio and is the final release of a short season of SOUNZ Films covering the Aotearoa New Zealand works performed by the Trio in 2023.

Forbidden Colours (2015) by Gareth Farr, © 2015 Promethean Editions Ltd.

Audio recorded by RNZ Concert

Film funded by NZ On Air

25/07/2024

In Eve de Castro-Robinson’s “the willing air” the title is a phrase from a poem written by the composer’s mother:

Were we to meet in unexpected places
A sudden warmth would fill the willing air…

Dedicated to the memory of the late great Jenny McLeod, the work’s character reflects feelings evoked during the composer’s visit to the Mingary Quiet Place in Melbourne.

It is performed in this SOUNZ Film by NZTrio: Amalia Hall (violin), Ashley Brown (cello) and Somi Kim (piano).

Commissioned by NZTrio

Audio recorded by RNZ Concert

Film funded by NZ On Air

24/07/2024

Composer Victoria Kelly calls upon her Faroe Islands whakapapa (her grandmother was born there) in her work Lyre, seen performed by in this SOUNZ Film from the Concert Chamber of the Auckland Town Hall. She writes,

“The Faroes are astonishing in their beauty and strangeness. Their isolation is like a tone in the air. Fog appears and disappears around them, as if inhaled and exhaled by the surrounding sea…In this piece I explore the lure of the islands.”

Commissioned by NZTrio

Audio recorded by RNZ Concert .

Film funded by NZ On Air

23/07/2024

“Prendre ses rêves pour des réalitiés is a piece of music which has some of the qualities of a dream,” writes the work’s composer, Ross Harris. He continues, “Musical ideas come and go like images in a day dream - with or without continuity or logic. Moments follow each other. The title translates approximately as ‘Let your dreams be your reality’.”

Of NZTrio’s performance of the work, seen in this SOUNZ Film from the Concert Chamber of the Auckland Town Hall, William Dart wrote, “At 14 minutes, this substantial and mercurial work was the ultimate, tailor-made challenge for the players, brilliantly achieved.”

Commissioned by NZTrio

Audio recorded by Concert.

Film funded by On Air.

22/07/2024

SOUNZ Films proudly presents complete coverage of NZTrio’s performances of Aotearoa New Zealand music in 2023.

Join us in the Concert Chamber of the Auckland Town Hall for thrilling renditions of music by Eve de Castro-Robinson, Ross Harris, Gareth Farr and Victoria Kelly.

With audio beautifully recorded by our SOUNZ Films partner RNZ Concert.

Films funded by NZ On Air

We are delighted to announce a new composer commission opportunity n collaboration with the New Zealand Symphony Orchest...
19/07/2024

We are delighted to announce a new composer commission opportunity n collaboration with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Nicholas Tarling Charitable Trust.

This project is an opportunity for emerging and early-career composers to compose a new work for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra that will be programmed as part of the orchestra’s 2025 concert series. The commission consists of a grant of $10,500 for the composition of the work, and accommodation and travel expenses related to the rehearsal and performance of the work.

Read more about this opportunity and apply below!

NZSO | SOUNZ Tarling Trust Composer Commission 2024 Call for Applications Applications are now open for the NZSO | SOUNZ Tarling Trust Composer Commission 2024, closing on 12 August 2024.The NZSO | SOUNZ Tarling Trust Composer Commission is a collaboration between the New Zealand Symphony Orchest...

Dame Gillian Whitehead was featured on TVNZ's Pathfinders.Pathfinders explores some of Aotearoa's living legends, the Mā...
08/07/2024

Dame Gillian Whitehead was featured on TVNZ's Pathfinders.

Pathfinders explores some of Aotearoa's living legends, the Māori leaders who were raised through the challenging years in which te reo Māori was shunned.

Now streaming on TVNZ+, the latest episode of Pathfinders explores the diverse and innovative career of composer Dame Gillian Whitehead, recently honoured among ten Māori creatives at the Ngā Tohu Toi Mo Ngā Uri Iwi o te Rohe o Tauranga Moana awards ceremony held on the eve of Matariki in Tauranga.

Stream Pathfinders on TVNZ+ here:

This episode explores composer Dame Gillian Whiteheads diverse and innovative career that blends Tāonga Puoro and traditional musical compositions.

03/07/2024

Last month, we came together to celebrate the release of Hōtaka Māori, including Puoro Ki te Ao, Inspiring Journeys Through Music, and He Reo Tawhito S4.

Over a year in the making SOUNZ kaimahi could not be more proud of the final product, and we hope many will continue to enjoy them for years to come.

We want to thank and acknowledge everyone who has supported the release of these programmes, from the crew, production team, our wonderful audience and Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Thank you to Te Wharewaka for hosting the event and to Renegade Peach for capturing this occasion.

A big thank you also to our artists:
Komako Silver
Horomona Horo
Reti Hedley

Rei
Pere Wihongi
Ria Hall
Mere Boynton
Host Alana Te Piki Broughton

Tamati Waka
Teina Moetara
Ngahiwi Apanui-Barr
Turuhira Hare
Host Crystal Edwards Kiino

You can view the programmes here: https://sounz.org.nz//hotaka-maori

Celebrate the SOUNZ of Matariki with us by listening to Puoro ki te Ao. One of our latest releases, Puoro ki te Ao (Puor...
28/06/2024

Celebrate the SOUNZ of Matariki with us by listening to Puoro ki te Ao. One of our latest releases, Puoro ki te Ao (Puoro to the world) is a Puoro Māori sound healing journey featuring Puoro artists Reti Hedley, Horomona Horo, and Komako Silver. The full series is available now via the link below.

https://sounz.org.nz/puoro-ki-te-ao

22/06/2024

Turuhira Hare (Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Arawa) is a highly respected leader in her community, renowned for her contributions to Māori performing arts and education. In this episode of He Reo Tawhito: Conversations about Mōteatea, Turuhira shares how mōteatea has enriched her life, and discusses the importance of maintaining the sanctity and authenticity of mōteatea while adapting to the modern world.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

21/06/2024

What is the relevance of mōteatea in this day and age? In this episode of He Reo Tawhito: Conversations about Mōteatea, Teina Moetara shares how mōteatea are not just relics of the past but living, breathing expressions that offer guidance and insight for contemporary life.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

20/06/2024

Tamati Waaka (Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāi Tūhoe) is a language expert whose journey is deeply rooted in the traditions of his ancestors. In this episode of He Reo Tawhito: Conversations about Mōteatea, Tamati shares his profound insights into the world of mōteatea, providing a glimpse into the heart of the art form.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Congratulations to SOUNZ composers Nathaniel Otley and Eve de Castro-Robinson, recipients of the 2024 Art Music Fund.Eac...
20/06/2024

Congratulations to SOUNZ composers Nathaniel Otley and Eve de Castro-Robinson, recipients of the 2024 Art Music Fund.

Each composer will receive a $7,500 (AUD) grant to commission a proposed work. This year's allocation will support a range of fascinating new projects, both personal and global in scale, delving into topics including ecological impacts and ocean sound, 3D sound, Chinese rituals and beliefs, gender identity and faith, and much more.

A big congrats also goes out to the 9 other recipients: Anna Liebzeit, Cameron Deyell, Christine Pan, Dominik Karski, Emily Sheppard, James Rushford, Mindy Meng Wang and Monica Lim, Peter Knight and Sia Ahmad.

The Art Music Fund, celebrating its ninth funding round, is an initiative of APRA AMCOS in partnership with the Australian Music Centre and SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music.

19/06/2024

Ngahiwi Apanui (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hine, Rongomaiwāhine) is one of New Zealand’s most prolific composers of mōteatea and contemporary Māori music. In this episode of He Reo Tawhito: Conversations about Mōteatea, he offers words and melodies that invite us to connect with the past, appreciate the present and look forward to the future of Māori music.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

19/06/2024

Turuhira Hare (Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Arawa) is a highly respected leader in her community, renowned for her contributions to Māori performing arts and education. In this episode of He Reo Tawhito: Conversations about Mōteatea, Turuhira shares how mōteatea has enriched her life, and discusses the importance of maintaining the sanctity and authenticity of mōteatea while adapting to the modern world.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

19/06/2024

What is the relevance of mōteatea in this day and age? In this episode of He Reo Tawhito: Conversations about Mōteatea, Teina Moetara shares how mōteatea are not just relics of the past but living, breathing expressions that offer guidance and insight for contemporary life.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

19/06/2024

Tamati Waaka (Te Whānau ā Apanui, Ngāi Tūhoe) is a language expert whose journey is deeply rooted in the traditions of his ancestors. In this episode of He Reo Tawhito: Conversations about Mōteatea, Tamati shares his profound insights into the world of mōteatea, providing a glimpse into the heart of the art form.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

19/06/2024

Ngahiwi Apanui (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Hine, Rongomaiwāhine) is one of New Zealand’s most prolific composers of mōteatea and contemporary Māori music. In this episode of He Reo Tawhito: Conversations about Mōteatea, he offers words and melodies that invite us to connect with the past, appreciate the present and look forward to the future of Māori music.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

18/06/2024

Season 4 of the highly successful award-winning podcast He Reo Tawhito: Conversations about Moteatea.

Crafted with a diverse audience in mind, including those passionate about the revival of Te Reo Māori, traditional and modern Māori performance, composition, and storytelling traditions, individuals keen on deepening their understanding of Te Ao Māori through the ancient art of mōteatea, and Māori seeking to reclaim their ancestral wisdom.

Set your alarm and join us on Wednesday, 19 June, at 6pm (NZT) for the Season 4 premiere of He Reo Tawhito: Conversations about Mōteatea.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Applications are now open for the SOUNZ Community Commission 2024. ⁠⁠The project brings together New Zealand professiona...
18/06/2024

Applications are now open for the SOUNZ Community Commission 2024. ⁠

The project brings together New Zealand professional composers and community groups to create and perform a new work. Now in its 25th year, the commission has resulted in works for diverse groups such as a community group for young people with learning disabilities, community choirs, experimental sound artists, youth orchestras and children’s theatre. ⁠

We welcome submissions from New Zealand composers working with diverse community and cultural groups such as choir, orchestra, chamber, kapa haka (youth, schools, church, kaumātua, community), and other groups. Proposals for projects from composers should be emailed, with the completed application form, to [email protected] by 5pm Monday 29 July 2024. ⁠

Read more via the link below
https://sounz.org.nz/news/sounz-community-commission-2024

Applications are now open for the NZ Composer Sessions | Ngā Huihuinga Hāpai i ngā Kaitito o Aotearoa 2025, closing on 2...
17/06/2024

Applications are now open for the NZ Composer Sessions | Ngā Huihuinga Hāpai i ngā Kaitito o Aotearoa 2025, closing on 2 September 2024.⁠

The NZ Composer Sessions | Ngā Huihuinga Hāpai i ngā Kaitito o Aotearoa is a collaboration between the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, RNZ Concert and SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music.⁠

The aim is to create high-quality NZ orchestral recordings and to promote the works to a range of orchestras and broadcasters.⁠

Following the concert and the final editing process, the recordings will be available as audio on SOUNZ’s and RNZ Concert’s websites.⁠

The 2025 recordings will take place over four days (2-5 April) at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington.⁠

Read more about this opportunity via the link below

https://sounz.org.nz/news/nz-composer-sessions-2025

16/06/2024

The journey of Mere Tokorahi Boynton is painted with the broad strokes of an artist who has embraced every opportunity to express her truth. She is an accomplished film and theatre actor and a devoted advocate for the arts. Her voice is a powerful instrument that carries the stories of her past and the hopes for future generations. In this episode of ‘Inspiring Journeys Through Music’, Mere gives us a glimpse into her music and advocacy, inviting us to listen, learn and be inspired by the timeless power of music to transcend barriers and connect hearts.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Watch the full interview here: https://www.facebook.com/SOUNZnz/videos/902237008582297

15/06/2024

Charting his own path, the musical journey of multi-talented artist Rei showcases his commitment to creativity and cultural relevance. His work is a blend of beats and introspection that pushes the boundaries of the Aotearoa music scene. In this episode of ‘Inspiring Journeys Through Music,’ Rei navigates the intersections of music, culture and self-expression, giving us a glimpse into the inner workings of his artistic process and the journey of a musician striving to make an impact on both personal and professional levels.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Watch the full interview here: https://www.facebook.com/SOUNZnz/videos/959810832541621

14/06/2024

Ria Hall is an icon of strength and creativity. Her resonant, soulful voice transcends the stage, echoing the power of her heritage and unique musical journey. With her roots firmly planted in her identity as a wahine Māori, her story is one of passion, resilience, collaboration and the balancing act of art and motherhood. In this episode of ‘Inspiring Journeys Through Music,’ Ria takes us on a journey of authenticity, cultural heritage and the power of music to unite people.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Watch the full interview here: https://www.facebook.com/SOUNZnz/videos/1946178135838058

13/06/2024

The multifaceted career of Pere Wihongi is a testament to her versatility and dedication to her craft.

From her early days on the marae to her expansive work in music, Pere embodies the spirit of innovation and the enduring importance of te reo Māori in contemporary art forms.

In this episode of ‘Inspiring Journeys Through Music,’ Pere shares her insights and experiences as a Māori artist and composer, opening up about her journey and the challenges faced by Māori artists.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko

This film is supported by funding from Manatū Taonga | The Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Watch the full interview here: https://www.facebook.com/SOUNZnz/videos/2194457774253026

12/06/2024

The journey of Mere Boynton is painted with the broad strokes of an artist who has embraced every opportunity to express her truth. She is an accomplished film and theatre actor and a devoted advocate for the arts. Her voice is a powerful instrument that carries the stories of her past and the hopes for future generations. In this episode of ‘Inspiring Journeys Through Music’, Mere gives us a glimpse into her music and advocacy, inviting us to listen, learn and be inspired by the timeless power of music to transcend barriers and connect hearts.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

12/06/2024

Charting his own path, the musical journey of multi-talented artist Rei Music showcases his commitment to creativity and cultural relevance. His work is a blend of beats and introspection that pushes the boundaries of the Aotearoa music scene. In this episode of ‘Inspiring Journeys Through Music,’ Rei navigates the intersections of music, culture and self-expression, giving us a glimpse into the inner workings of his artistic process and the journey of a musician striving to make an impact on both personal and professional levels.

He mihi nui ki te Manatū Taonga, nā rātou te pūtea tautoko
This film is supported by funding from Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Address

PO Box 27347 Or Level 3, Toi Poneke Arts Centre, 61 Abel Smith Street
Wellington
6011

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+6448018602

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