The sound of music

Playing a rendition of Felix Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op 64, are Bertil Feng (left) on violin and John Van Buskirk on piano at the Dunedin Concerto Competition preliminary rounds, held at the University of Otago College of Education Auditorium on Saturday.

The competition provides a platform for emerging musicians to develop and showcase their performing skills. 

A total of 25 competitors took to the stage from Friday evening and three finalists were selected by yesterday evening to compete at the Dunedin Town Hall on May 16, supported by the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and players from the Dunedin Youth Orchestra.

The prize money totals nearly $20,000 across 11 categories — with $7000 to go to first place — sponsored by the H. Towers Charitable Trust and the Bill and Clare Hodgson Bequest.