News and events

Keep up to date with the latest news around the national music centre and find out about upcoming events.

Events

Find out what you can expect to hear at the new national music centre with these events from the New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

More events

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News

Work continues on National Music Centre in capital city

The vision for a National Music Centre with the refurbished Wellington Town Hall at its centre is already coming to life with the three partners in the venture.


Victoria University of Wellington confirms plans for national music centre

The University's Council has unanimously agreed to progress negotiations on a proposal to house its School of Music in Te Ngākau Civic Square.


A remarkable gift for Wellington’s national music centre

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra are delighted to announce a transformative $2 million gift from acclaim


A generous boost for a vibrant arts facility

We are delighted to announce a donation from Infratil, H.R.L Morrison & Co, and the Lloyd Morrison Trust in support of our national music centre.


Plans to transform Te Ngākau Civic Precinct into a home for Wellington’s national music centre forging ahead

The three partners—the University, the Orchestra, and the City Council— have revealed further details for the fit-out of the national music centre.


Wellington’s national music centre finds home in Michael Fowler Centre development

We've reached another milestone in our development of the national music centre with the leasing of space in the new Michael Fowler Centre car park development.


Wellington Town Hall construction continues

Wellington Town Hall strengthening and upgrade is back in action following a mandatory pause during the alert level 4 lockdown for COVID-19 response.


NZSO bass trombonist celebrates his first year as NZSM teaching fellow

Since the beginning of 2019, Shannon Pittaway of the NZSO has been making a big contribution as Head of Brass and Wind at NZSM.


NZSM brings together cinema and live orchestra for showcase

NZSM recently celebrated the achievements of its film composition students and graduates at a Film Scoring Showcase, hosted by the Roxy Cinema in Miramar.


NZSO launches its 2020 season

NZSO’s all-star 2020 line-up features a multi-Grammy Award winner, a virtuoso YouTube sensation, and an internationally acclaimed young Kiwi conductor.


NZSO National Youth Orchestra celebrates 60 years of music making

The NZSO National Youth Orchestra has a long history of including students from Victoria University of Wellington and, since its formation, the NZSM.


Bloom 2019: A botanical soundscape

Dr Thomas Voyce, Composition lecturer at NZSM, writes about the recent collaboration between NZSM and the Wellington Botanic Garden.


Three young Wellington musicians scoop national prizes

Three young NZSM musicians have been awarded Alex Lindsay Awards by the NZSO.


National music centre fundraising effort hits $18 million

Fundraising for the planned national music centre in Wellington’s Te Ngākau Civic Square is well on track, with the total now at $18 million.


James Judd: An enthusiastic supporter

James Judd, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Music Director Emeritus, explains why he is excited about the national music centre.


Adam Foundation gift to support national music centre

Victoria University of Wellington and the NZSO have received a $4 million funding boost from the Adam Foundation to support the national music centre project.


National centre of music secures Te Ngākau Civic Square building

Victoria University of Wellington has signed an agreement with Wellington City Council that will see 101 Wakefield St become part of the national music centre.


Gamelan and dance fills the Hub

On 22 March, the Hub at Victoria University of Wellington came alive with gamelan and dance for NZSM's third annual ‘Night Hub’ event.


Bringing the world to Wellington

The NZSO has a captivating selection of Wellington concerts in the coming months featuring top international names, and programmes that will appeal to everyone.


NZSO announces its 2019 season

The NZSO has unveiled its first concerts for 2019. The centrepiece will be performances of every Beethoven symphony, conducted by Music Director Edo de Waart.


Wellington's national music centre an etching closer to its multi-million fundraising goal

The campaign to link the community with music is a step closer after an Art Auction that's expected to raise $50,000 for Wellington's national music centre.


Victoria University of Wellington favours leasing Municipal Office Building for national music centre

Victoria University of Wellington has confirmed its commitment to relocating the University’s world-class music school in central Wellington.


Town Hall closer to becoming a cultural and musical centre

WCC, NZSO and Victoria University have formally agreed to redevelop the Town Hall as a centre for civic events and as the heart of a national music centre.


Aotearoa Audio Arts—intersecting sound, space and motion

The New Zealand School of Music will hold a festival of experimental performances, live electronic music, audio-visual works and sound installations.


'Papa Minds the Baby': Lullaby Competition

A competition to write a lullaby, to be gifted to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, has been announced by the New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī.


NZ Best Jazz Artist Award

New Zealand School of Music graduate Umar Zakaria has won the award for his recent release, ‘Fearless Music’, produced in collaboration with other NZSM talent.


NZ Festival 2018

The 2018 NZ Festival took place from 23 February to 18 March. The line-up featured exciting performances from both NZSM and NZSO.


Making Light of Time CD a Victoria collaboration

A CD launching at Victoria University next month represents the fruits of a decade-long partnership between three of New Zealand’s creative masters.


Wu Man concert fills St Mary's of the Angels

Visiting international Pipa virtuoso Wu Man and the New Zealand String Quartet performed to a capacity audience of over 400 at St Mary’s of the Angels church.


Viola flash mob targets Te Papa

To mark the 44th International Viola Congress, violists performed a flash mob at Te Papa led by Professor Donald Maurice of the New Zealand School of Music.


China Crossing

Two extraordinary musicians from China wowed in a concert at Victoria’s New Zealand School of Music.


'The Cunning Little Vixen' a stunning success

The School's production of Leoš Janáček’s The Cunning Little Vixen played to full houses for each of its performances at the Hannah Playhouse in July.


Fundraising campaign for the national music centre launches

A major philanthropic campaign to create a world-class centre of musical, cultural and educational excellence in the capital city was launched 3 July 2017.


National centre of music will confirm Wellington as capital of culture

A world-class national centre of music is a step closer with Victoria University of Wellington's Council unanimously confirming its support for the venture.


Victoria's New Zealand School of Music announces Professor Sally Jane Norman as its new director

Professor Sally-Jane Norman, a performance and digital arts scholar with a focus on music and sound, is named Director of the New Zealand School of Music.