Matthew Chanwai (Year 9) has been selected to be a member of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra (NZSSSO) 2019.

Matthew auditioned last year for a place in the 2019 Orchestra and is thrilled to have been selected as one of 16 cellists in this large orchestra made up of 104 musicians.

The NZSSSO course runs for six days in Christchurch in the April school holidays, during which students participate in a variety of practical sessions – culminating in two public performances. Each year the standard reached has remained high, with full-scale orchestral works being performed. It is widely regarded as a significant training ground for young players aspiring to membership of the New Zealand Youth Orchestra and ultimately to a career as a professional musician. The NZSSSO offers a valuable opportunity for some of New Zealand’s top secondary school orchestral musicians to represent their school, and receive the opportunity to experience playing in a full Symphony Orchestra.

Matthew loves playing the cello and has played it most of his life. Last year as a 12-year-old, Matthew gained his Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) ARSM Diploma in Cello with Distinction, after passing Trinity College Grade 8 Cello with Distinction two years prior to that. He is really looking forward to performing big orchestral works with like-minded musicians from other schools in New Zealand.