Talented Wellington string quartet wins music schorlarship.

Left to right: Grenville Gaskell, Chief Executive, Public Trust; Miranda Wilson, Christiaan van der Zee, Anna van der Zee, James Andrewes – Tasman String Quartet; and Stephen Wainwright, Chief Executive, Creative New Zealand.

The Tasman String Quartet has been awarded the Jack McGill Music Scholarship it has been announced by Public Trust and Creative New Zealand.

The Scholarship is worth $14,500; it is administered by Creative New Zealand and the Scholarship funds are managed by Public Trust.

Formed only last year, the Quartet has earned itself some impressive credentials. After only a few months together its members - Anna van der Zee (violin), James Andrewes (violin), Christiaan van der Zee (viola) and Miranda Wilson (cello) - successfully auditioned to become the 2007 graduate quartet in residence at the New Zealand School of Music. Later this year the Quartet will tour for Chamber Music New Zealand.

The Quartet leaves New Zealand in mid-August to become the resident Graduate Quartet at the University of Colorado in Boulder. They will study under the guidance of the Takács Quartet, one of the world's leading string quartets.

Tasman Quartet spokesperson Anna van der Zee said, "We are absolutely thrilled to receive the Jack McGill Music Scholarship for 2007. This is the icing on the cake in a stellar year for the four of us. Travelling, living and studying overseas is, as everyone knows, extremely expensive. Obtaining this Scholarship is wonderful and it will pay for our return air fares to Colorado and back to New Zealand. We need a seat each, plus one for Miranda's cello which is too fragile to put in the aircraft hold."

The Jack McGill Music Scholarship was established from a bequest from Jack Wynngate McGill's estate. Mr McGill, who died in 1975, wished to help fund advanced music study overseas.  Awarded annually, the Scholarship is given to outstanding young New Zealand musicians.  

Public Trust Chief Executive Grenville Gaskell said, "Public Trust and Creative New Zealand believe the Tasman Quartet is an outstanding group of young musicians selected from a number of impressive applications. We wish the Quartet members well in their studies in Colorado."

Creative New Zealand Chief Executive Stephen Wainwright said, "This is a significant opportunity for the emerging Tasman String Quartet to be tutored by one of the world's leading chamber ensembles and we look forward to following their progress."

Applications for next year's Jack McGill Music Scholarship should be made by 29 February 2008 to Creative New Zealand. Details can be found on www.creativenz.govt.nz

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