It is a rare privilege to be asked to help design an international violin competition, and by doing so, create a unique event that will help encourage the continuation of the glorious tradition of violin playing. It is inevitable that one draws on one's own past experiences as a student, contestant and professional musician and, consequently, I have strived to create a violinistic challenge that reflects the state of violin playing in the world today and cultivates the skills I believe necessary for a successful career at the highest level.Tne outstanding attribute of this competition is that a special atmosphere exists that conveys to the participants empathy, friendship and appreciation of their talents by both judges and the New Zealand public. This has been a feature of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition since its inception and one that has been fostered by the efforts of the generous benefactors behind this international event, Michael and Christine Hill. This competition, held amidst the stunning natural beauty of New Zealand, inspires the finest performances from each participant and provides an enjoyable experience for judges and contestants alike.
Competitions for violinists are too numerous to mention these days and with the major competitions so well-established and attracting huge numbers of hopeful contestants, the challenge for the Artistic Adviser has been to devise a slightly different kind of violin competition that more accurately reflects the different aspects of the career in which most talented violinists these days will find themselves. The virtuoso of today and tomorrow must exhibit outstanding technical prowess, an individual artistry and be enlightened in their approach to all different musical styles. In addition, they must be completely at ease in all musical situations from concerto performance to chamber music.
International violin competitions are judged by the quality of the contestants, the quality and integrity of their judges and the administration and organisation of the event itself. The winners of these past competitions in New Zealand have been worthy of major prizes in any competition in the world and the international panel of judges has been carefully selected to reflect the philosophy that the panel must contain first-class violinists from different areas of the profession and balanced in their musical outlook.
We are honoured by the violinists who have agreed to serve on the international panel of judges in 2007. The members of the prestigious judging panel are all highly-accomplished performers, teachers and competition winners in their own right, and they bring a variety of backgrounds and musical traditions to New Zealand.
The team of collaborating artists will ensure that the high quality of past MHIVC's is continued and the initial taped round and the task of selecting the eighteen semi- finalists who will travel to New Zealand will be undertaken by a panel of prominent New Zealand violinists.
The Michael Hill International Violin Competition will continue to evolve in future years to fine tune its programme in order that the countless hours of preparation that each contestant has invested for this competition will be useful for their life as a professional musician. In the present age, the demands on a young musician are such that they must be prepared to quickly adapt to all facets of musical life at the highest level and exhibit a versatility that can cope with the ever-increasing volume and styles of new music. Our aim is to nurture the talents of the young generation of violinists and bring to the fore the kind of young virtuosi that will thrive in the modern era.
Dene Olding
Artistic Adviser.
