Issue 3
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Welcome
Welcome to the August 2005 edition of 'Aria' the newsletter of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. We hope you enjoy the new format.
Since the Foundation was launched early last year, through the support of many generous donors (big and small) and significant commercial support, we are a long way towards our $3 million trust fund target. As this newsletter is published the Foundation fund stands at NZD$1,167,000 with an additional GBP£148,000 in the UK (Friends of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation Fund). Its been a lot of hard work and fun as well – as you can see from this photo of the Three Dames at last years Gala Concert.
In this newsletter you will read about recent fundraising functions and concerts, learn who is the second recipient of a Foundation grant, meet a new Trustee as well as catching up with Dame Kiri's work with talented New Zealand singers and musicians in the UK.
Take a wander – everything is just a 'mouse-click' away.
Foundation announces second grant recipient
Kerry Jago conducting one of his recent open-air concerts with the Junge Marburger Philharmonic
Promising young New Zealand conductor Kerry Jago has become the second recipient of a Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation grant, which will allow him to return to conduct the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra at its Christmas Proms concert in December.
The 26 year-old Jago from Howick in Auckland, has been studying for the past three years at the Hochschule fur Musik und Theater In Hanover under Eiji Oue, the musical director of the North German Radio Philharmonic. Jago was the recipient of a Creative New Zealand grant in 2002, to help fund his studies of orchestral conducting in Germany.
Oue has described Kerry's development as "remarkable", saying he has "grown into a mature and dedicated musician".
"He is now musical director of two quality amateur orchestras and has regular engagements with other ensembles throughout North Germany, something which he thoroughly deserves and of which, as his teacher, I am very proud."
Jago said the grant was "a very high honour indeed".
"Support and opportunities of this magnitude are things most young artists – me included - can only dream of. I feel very privileged to be involved with such a prestigious and obviously committed organisation.
"In addition to the material support, it is a great morale boost to know there are people out there who appreciate what myself and others are doing, which can be a lonely and difficult journey at times," he said.
The Deputy Chair of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation, Dame Catherine Tizard said it was exciting for the Foundation to be able to bring young New Zealand musicians home to showcase their talent.
"Kerry joins Dunedin-born soprano Ana James as Foundation grant recipients, and their success affirms the rationale of the structure set up by Dame Kiri to assist outstanding New Zealand musicians and singers advance their careers."
A graduate of Victoria University, Kerry is currently involved in a series of open-air concerts with the Junge Marburger Philharmonic in Germany.
A private recital in Sydney for two great causes
David Clarke, Chairman of the Opera Australia Capital Fund, and his wife Jane recently welcomed 58 guests to their Sydney home for a private recital by Dame Kiri Te Kanawa.
Dame Kiri chose a superb operatic repertoire which she performed magnificently to the delight of the guests. Brian Castles-Onion, Artistic Director of Canterbury Opera, accompanied Dame Kiri who was the guest-of-honour at a dinner following the recital.
The Black Tie occasion was a result of the co-coordinated efforts of David Clarke who is also Executive Chairman of Macquarie Bank in Australia and the Bank's New Zealand Chairman, Jim McLay, who attended the recital.
This highly successful evening raised AUD$120,000 in support of two worthy institutions – the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation and the Opera Australia Capital Fund, established to secure the future of Australia's national opera company. The funds will be shared equally by both organizations.
(Report compiled by Neroli Hobbins – General Manager, Opera Australia Capital Fund)
Young New Zealand Singers reap benefits of mentoring
Ruth Shwer with Jonathan Papp
As part of her ongoing commitment to the Foundation Dame Kiri recently hosted a number of 'workshops' at her home in England to mentor and guide young New Zealand singers and musicians. Working with Jonathan Papp, accompanist and coach from the Royal Academy and with Ana Sims, a breathing specialist assisting, the sessions were conducted in a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of time for performance and discussion. The sessions were attended by Andrew Conley, Andrea Creighton, Ana James, Ruth Shwer, Andrew Sritheran and Kirsten Simpson (student accompanist) with over two hours being devoted to each person.
Dame Kiri with Anna Leese and Ana James
Jonah Lomu's return to rugby supported by Dame Kiri & friends
Jonah Lomu's recent return to rugby, following his kidney transplant, was marked by a charity match at Twickenham in honour of former English Captain Martin Johnson. The match was televised throughout the world. Jonah asked Dame Kiri to sing at the opening ceremony and she in turn requested that two of the young singers she had been working with, sing with her. Ana James (first recipient of a Foundation grant) and Anna Leese joined Dame Kiri for an unforgettable experience which also gave them both invaluable experience – and exposure.
New Foundation trustee appointed
The Foundation recently welcomed Diana Fenwick as a new trustee replacing James Erskine who resigned earlier in the year. Diana brings with her a wide range of art and community work experience. She is Deputy Chairman of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and a Trustee of many arts and charitable community organisations. In welcoming her as a Trustee Dame Kiri said "the Foundation is particularly fortunate to have Diana as a new trustee and we are very grateful that she so readily agreed to take on this position considering her many other community interests". Diana joins seven other Trustees – Dame Kiri (Chair), Dame Catherine Tizard (Deputy Chair), Stephen Dee, Ian Fraser, Paul Gleeson, Paul Harrop and Peter Hubscher.
New brochure illustrates the many ways to support the Foundation
A full colour, 12 page brochure backgrounding and promoting the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation was recently published and distributed throughout New Zealand. Its aim is to create awareness for the Foundation's objectives and achievements to date. It included a number of suggestions of ways to support the Foundation:
- Patron packages - ranging from NZD$500 - $10,000 donation with various benefits for donors.
- Leave a Legacy – providing a legacy in your will for an investment in the future careers of outstanding New Zealand singers and musicians. Leaving a bequest is a simple procedure that provides the opportunity to leave ongoing support for the Foundation in your name.
Email us at foundation@kiritekanawa.org to discuss the various options to support the Foundation or click here to view a copy of the brochure.
Friends of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation complete a busy first year
The organization (Friends of the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation Trust) set up in England last year to support the Foundation has had a very busy and successful year. The most recent fundraiser was a charity concert which featured Dame Kiri and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse, in aid of the Leukaemia & Intensive Therapy Fund and The Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation. Singing with Dame Kiri was John Matz and the conductor was Julian Reynolds. They are pictured with the Coordinator for the Leukaemia charity. The UK Foundation fund now stands at GBP£148,000.
EMI Music adds their corporate support for the Foundation
EMI Music has joined UBS, Rolex and ASB Bank to provide support for the Foundation.
Income from the sale of the Gala Concert CD and DVD will contribute significantly to the trust fund.
The CD and DVD went Gold (with the CD reaching No 1 on the Classical Chart) and were in the top three slots for over 11 weeks. The DVD reached No 4 spot and stayed on the top 30 DVD chart for eight weeks. Last month both items were released in the UK and USA. EMI Music has recently announced that the Gala Concert CD has been nominated as New Zealand Classical Album of the Year.
Dame Kiri catches up with singing teachers
The Foundation has a stated intention of working alongside and co-operatively with other established Trusts and Foundations who already help aspiring young talented performers to start out on their careers. The Foundation has always seen its major role as providing support once they have embarked on their training - whether it is in London, Manchester or New York.
Dame Kiri sees her role as being relatively straightforward. She can use her profile, resources and contacts that she has been fortunate to accumulate over the years and her mentoring skills, to make these aims become a reality.
The biggest task is to identify outstanding young singers and musicians and Dame Kiri admits that the irony of a successful international career is that it has left her out of contact with the grassroots of New Zealand music. Working with the Foundation she has been actively seeking the advice and guidance of senior teachers and mentors to young New Zealanders involved in music to call upon their experience in identifying, nurturing and growing the talent we have in New Zealand.
Over the past few months Dame Kiri had individual meetings with teachers and others involved with young singers in New Zealand including Isabel Cunningham, Dame Malvina Major, Sally Sloman, Barry Mora, Alex Reeijk, Geoffrey Coker, Emily Mair and Bruce Greenfield. Dame Kiri has followed up with regular updates and requests for information. Additional meetings are planned. This is the beginning of what it is hoped will be a national network of music teachers advising the Foundation about singers and musicians in their areas.
...Finally
We will keep in touch and keep you in touch about the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation and its activities. The next issue of Aria will feature more exciting news and views about the Foundation.
- If you would like us to mail material about the Foundation to you, please ask. Be sure to include your contact details in your email to the Foundation.
- However, if you do not wish to receive further editions of this newsletter, please let us know.
