Deadline for Easter competitions
Rather like for Cinderella at the ball, one minute before midnight on Thursday, March 5, is the deadline for entries into this year’s Hawke’s Bay Easter Festival.
The competition is organised by the Napier Performing Arts Competitions Society and runs from Thursday evening, April 9 to Monday morning, April 13.
This year’s principal sponsor for the $4000 first prize is Operatunity, which provides employment for Kiwi singers.
Operatunity presents more than 200 concerts nationally each year, including eight in Hastings, as well as providing music-themed travel for seniors.
For the first time in the society’s 112-year history, competitors in ballet, tap and modern dance, junior and senior vocal, aria and instrumental can find the syllabus on-line and register on the society’s upgraded website at www. napierpacs.org.nz.
Last year, more than 200 performers from under five to over 16, took part in the festival, competing for trophies, cups and scholarships, while a record number of 26 aria entries came from aspiring opera singers.
Most disciplines will be held this year at the Municipal Theatre, with tickets available from Ticketek.
Admission costs for spectators and adults are $5, children $2.
A recital class for senior vocalists is on Friday evening at 7.30pm in Municipal Theatre Pan Pac Foyer and aria preliminaries are in the Century Theatre at 7.30pm on the Saturday evening.
These cost $15 for adults, $10 for students.
A Masterclass for those interested in furthering their musical careers as they watch and learn from adjudicator and international soprano Gina Sanders, will be held in the Century Theatre on Sunday at 10am, open to the public ($15) and NPACS competitors ($10).
Gina has appeared as a soloist with New Zealand’s leading orchestras, opera companies and choral societies, is a Concert FM National Artist and has recorded for ABC in Australia.
The highlight of the festival is the Gala Evening for the Hawke’s Bay Aria 2020 which is held on the Sunday at 7.30pm, also in the Century Theatre.
Admission is $25 for adults, $15 for students.