Piano series honours “Miss Clark”
A lifetime of teaching and a lasting legacy is being honoured at Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music (NZSM) with the Judith Clark Memorial Piano Series starting this month.
Judith Clark studied at Victoria in the early 1950s and taught piano at NZSM for 30 years where she became the Head of Piano Studies. Miss Clark, as she was known by her students, was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 1998 for her significant contribution to music in New Zealand.
The four-part series, hosted with the Institute of Registered Music Teachers of New Zealand, features New Zealand’s foremost concert pianists across four dates.
The series begins on 21 August with a concert by New Zealand pianist Michael Houstoun, performing Book II of the 48 Preludes and Fugues by J S Bach. Mr Houstoun has performed throughout New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, and is a laureate of the Arts Foundation of New Zealand.
NZSM senior lecturer and Head of Piano Studies Jian Liu says the concert series is an opportunity to give Miss Clark the respect and honour she deserves.
“Judith was an influential figure in Wellington and New Zealand, in regards to her passion for music, music education, and teaching. This event is incorporating performances from musicians who all have strong connections to NZSM and Wellington’s music scene which makes it a very special way to acknowledge Judith.”
Miss Clark retired from NZSM in 1996 but continued teaching. She passed away in 2014. All proceeds from the concert series will go towards the maintenance of pianos at NZSM.
What: Judith Clark Memorial Piano Series
When: Sunday 21 August, Michael Houstoun
Sunday 18 September, Diedre Irons
Sunday 26 March 2017, Richard Mapp
Sunday 7 May 2017, Jian Liu
Where: Adam Concert Room, Te Kōkī New Zealand School of Music
RSVP: Tickets available through Eventfinda