Chamber groups join forces for Wellington fundraiser

1 October 2012

Media release

Chamber groups join forces for Wellington fundraiser

Four leading chamber groups are donating their services to support a fundraising concert for St Andrew’s on The Terrace in Wellington on 11 October.

The concert, ‘From Haydn to Hill – A Celebration’, will feature the New Zealand String Quartet, the Poneke Trio, the Aroha Quartet and the Dominion Quartet. All proceeds will go towards the final stage of restoring St Andrew’s on The Terrace.

St Andrew’s minister, the Rev Dr Margaret Mayman, says the concert marks a significant milestone in returning St Andrew’s on The Terrace to its former glory and fulfilling its potential as a leading music venue.

“In 2002 we started a huge three-stage programme of restoration, renovation and rebuilding. So far we have restored and strengthened the historic church, refurbished the hall and turned the upstairs rooms into a fully functioning conference centre,” she said.

“We are now ready to embark on the third and final stage, which is replacing the dilapidated buildings at the back of the church with a new Welcome Centre.

“We really appreciate the generosity of the four chamber groups who are donating their services on 11 October to raise money for this final building phase.”

The new Welcome Centre, expected to cost around $1.3 million, will create a new green room for artists, a new reception area and toilets, more conference space and a lift to the upstairs conference rooms.

Violinist Helene Pohl, from the New Zealand String Quartet, says St Andrew’s has a wonderful sound and beautiful ambience. “It’s a pleasure to play in and a real resource as a musical refuge from the bustle of downtown life.”

Dr Mayman is looking forward to being able to provide full disability access and a warm, professional welcome for all the people who use St Andrew’s on The Terrace.

“St Andrew’s is not just a valued heritage building. It is a hub in the centre of Wellington for music and arts, intellectual debate and dialogue, and a host of civic events and activities. It’s exciting to be taking this last step in creating a welcoming, vibrant place for all of Wellington to enjoy.”

The programme for the fundraising concert includes two contrasting Haydn string quartets, Dvorak’s “Dumky” Trio and Alfred Hill’s String Quartet No 11 in D minor.

Tickets are available from Eventfinda. Full concert details can be found on the St Andrew’s website. Donations to the St Andrew’s Welcome Centre building fund can be made here.

From Haydn to Hill: A Celebration
St Andrew’s on The Terrace
Thursday 11 October 6.30pm

New Zealand String Quartet
Haydn: String Quartet Op 20 No 2 in C major

Poneke Trio
Dvorak: “Dumky” Trio

Aroha Quartet
Haydn: “Sunrise” Quartet Op 76 No 4 in B flat major

Dominion Quartet
Alfred Hill: String Quartet No 11 in D minor

Fast Facts about St Andrew’s on The Terrace, Wellington

• Designed by Fredrick de Jersey Clere in 1922
• An historic landmark, listed Category 1 by the Historic Places Trust
• “Significant for its social history, rarity of style and landmark status” – Ian Bowman (Architect) Conservation Plan, 2000
• As a venue for musical performances St Andrew’s on The Terrace is considered to have the best acoustics of any performance space of its type in Wellington
• In 2011 the St Andrew’s complex was used for:
o 42 free lunchtime concerts with an average of 80-100 people attending each week
o 40 community groups each week including rehearsals, Toastmasters, social support groups and exercise classes
o 13 days of collections by the New Zealand Blood Service
o In addition there were ticketed concerts, student recitals, lectures, community meetings, interfaith gatherings, school services and much more.
• Restoration completed to date:
o Phase One (2007/08): Church earthquake strengthened and refurbished
o Phase Two (2010): Hall and kitchen refurbished and strengthened, second floor refitted with large meeting rooms and facilities to form the St Andrew’s Conference Centre
• Final stage of restoration to be completed:
o Phase Three (2012/13): St Andrew’s Welcome Centre – new two-level building for reception, green room for artists, toilets, meeting room, and offices. The Welcome Centre will give full disability access to the St Andrew’s Conference Centre
• Projected cost of building the St Andrew’s Welcome Centre: $1.3 million

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