Last Friday, five of the top high school chamber groups in Dunedin performed at the Otago Boys' High School auditorium.

The chamber contest is held each year, and brings together many of Otago's terrific musicians. Usually held at Otago University, the chamber contest was cancelled this year due to lockdown restrictions, so it was great to see the students have an opportunity to play for each other. Our very own Boudewijn Keenan performed Dmitri Shostakovich's Trio no.1, Op. 8, in C Minor, with Sophie Sun (LPHS), and Skyla Murray (Columba).

The chamber contest not only provides an opportunity to perform very challenging pieces, it also sees many musicians teaming up with students from other schools. While the performances usually come with the nerves of competition, the evening of performances allowed for a more encouraging and supportive environment.

The performances were a result of hours and hours of rehearsing. The groups now send away recordings of their performance to be judged in the national competition.