44th New Zealand Viola Congress

"Sometimes musical instruments choose you. For an unexplainable reason, a particular sound draws you in. At some young age, you hear a certain instrument or see a musician play and it hits you with total clarity - that is my instrument. I knew it was the viola, and I was 6 years-old when it happened." - Christen Lien, composer and performing artist.

Over five days in September 2017, the 44th New Zealand Viola Congress will be hosted in Wellington, bringing together New Zealand and New Zealand artists, organisations and institutions through public recitals, lectures and masterclasses. The New Zealand Viola Congress aims to promote and encourage the development of new viola repertoire, new insights into existing repertoire, as well as viola-related research.

New Zealand Viola Congresses have been held annually since 1973, mostly in Europe and North America. They have assisted in promoting ever-increasing standards of excellence in viola performance and research. The first Congress in the Southern Hemisphere was held in Wellington in 2001, and since then Congresses have also been held in Africa and Australia.

From 1-5 September, 2017, the Congress will return to New Zealand, where the Australian New Zealand Viola Society (ANZVS) in collaboration with the New Zealand Viola Society and New Zealand School of Music Victoria University of Wellington will host the 44th New Zealand Viola Congress in Wellington. The funds collected from this Boosted campaign will go towards securing high quality concert venues, concert logistics, printing and advertising, general congress administration, providing access to events to the wider Wellington community and ensuring this Viola Congress will be of the highest quality in all respects.

We look forward to hosting the New Zealand Viola Congress in Wellington in 2017 and being able to bring New Zealand and local artists, organisations, and institutions together here for this five-day extravaganza of viola-filled activities. We hope you are able to participate in this campaign and look forward to seeing you during the 44th IVC from 1-5 September, 2017!