Profile

“… all the performances were staggeringly fine; a timely reminder of just what the dedicated professionals of Stroma have to offer in the fertile world of twentieth (and twenty-first) century music.” The Dominion Post (Wellington).

With a reputation for innovative, challenging and exhilarating performances, Stroma is one of the country’s finest contemporary chamber music ensembles. Stroma comprises players from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and other freelance New Zealand players.

Formed in 1999 by Michael Norris, Bridget Douglas, Hamish McKeich and Philip Brownlee, their aim was to establish an ensemble of professional musicians performing music of our time and our country. The group also actively commissions new works, and has presented world premieres by many New Zealand composers.

Since its inaugural concert in 2000, the group has presented many concerts, including a tour in the 2004 Chamber Music New Zealand Celebrity Series and appearances at the International Festival of the Arts 2002, 2004 & 2006, International Jazz Festival 2002 and the Asia Pacific Festival 2007.

Concerts presented by Stroma include “Jazz Ain’t Dead… It Just Smells Funny”, “Diabolical Birds”, “Digitalia”, “Velocities” and “Wind, Rain & Light”.

Stroma has commissioned or performed works by New Zealand composers John Bayer, Brigid Bisley, Paul Booth, Jack Body, Helen Bowater, Philip Brownlee, Hayden Chisholm, Rachel Clement, Lyell Cresswell, John Croft, David Downes, James Gardner, Neville Hall, Ross Harris, Alison Isadora, Victoria Kelly, Jenny McLeod, Dylan Lardelli, Douglas Lilburn, Dugal McKinnon, Lissa Meridan, Michael Norris, John Psathas, John Rimmer, Jeroen Speak, Jack Speirs, Chris Watson, Gillian Whitehead, John Young and Miriama Young

• Performances (24)
• Commissions (14)