Just a week out from travelling to China with a delegation of prominent New Zealand and Pacific Island musicians, Dunedin composer Dame Gillian Whitehead has been given the unexpected honour of leading the group.
About 24 performers, composers, film-makers, dancers, ethnomusicologists and musical multimedia creators will present traditional and contemporary music from New Zealand and the Pacific Islands at the Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing.
The delegation was invited to attend by the conservatory and was organised by Wellington composer Jack Body.
Due to illness, he will not be able to attend.
The event is part of the conservatory's World Music Days and Dame Gillian said it would be a "fascinating" opportunity to showcase our music to one of the largest and most prestigious tertiary institutions in Asia.
"I think it's a visionary event."
As part of the presentation, Dame Gillian's composition Hineteiwaiwa would be performed.
The work is performed on traditional Maori musical instruments such as pumotomoto (a flute-type instrument).
While the trip would provide Chinese musicians with an insight into New Zealand and Pacific Island music, the immersion in Chinese culture would also provide the delegates with an opportunity to learn about a different culture which could provide musical inspiration, she said.
Delegates depart for China today, returning on November 4.
