10th June 2014
Key Funding Received by Long-Serving New Zealand Singing School
The New Zealand Singing School Trust is holding a concert at Parliament tonight to showcase the work of the New Zealand
Singing School and in conjunction with the Minister for the Arts, Culture and Heritage the Honourable Christopher
Finlayson, will make three announcements.
The New Zealand Singing School Trust is pleased to have received significant financial support from the International
Foundation for Arts and Culture. This charitable organisation under the Chairmanship of Dr Haruhisa Handa, has supported
a large number of artistic endeavours with the purpose of promoting social welfare activities through musical and
arts-related events, as well as the development and enhancement of the arts themselves. Since 1996 IFAC has been
involved in supporting numerous artistic activities including Noh theatre, opera, concerts, ballet, Peking Opera,
singing competitions, fashion shows, exhibitions and festivals. It supports artistic efforts and organisations in
Cambodia, the United Kingdom, China, Egypt and Australia. This is their first time supporting a New Zealand arts
organisation or event.
“We are absolutely delighted to be connected to the works of IFAC. We believe it is a reflection on the quality of our
School and the work we do with singers in both classical and music theatre genres. New Zealand is extremely lucky to
receive this financial support which allows our organisation to plan further into the future with its planning and
engagement of key faculty for future schools” says Chairperson Jill Tobin.
“Dr Haruhisa Handa is being recognised by the New Zealand Singing School Trust as the Principal Patron of the 2015 and
2017 schools, and the schools will be named the 2015/2017 IFAC Handa New Zealand Singing School” adds Mrs Tobin.
The New Zealand Singing School Trust has successfully planned and implemented 27 schools. It is the only residential
summer singing school in the southern hemisphere that covers both contemporary and classical musical genres, with a
growing reputation for the excellent national and international faculty brought together for each school. This faculty
provides tuition for students to improve performance ability in opera, oratorio, Lieder, musical theatre, popular, jazz
and contemporary song.
The School is held every two years at the Eastern Institute of Technology in Hawke’s Bay.
“Funding the School is an ongoing challenge, and without the support of people and organisations such as IFAC and other
existing sponsors such as EIT and the Kiri Te Kanawa Foundation, School fees would be around double what they are”, says
Jill Tobin.
The Minister also announces the appointment of celebrated New Zealand Opera Singer, Robert Tucker as the 2015 Artist in
Residence at the School and the opening of enrolments for the 2015 IFAC Handa New Zealand Singing School.
Enrolments for the 11-day School in January 2015 open next week and close 29th August. Observer enrolments open in July
and run through till the end of the school - check the website for details www.singingschool.org.nz
For more information, please visit:
ENDS