Chamber Music New Zealand

Chamber Music New Zealand (CMNZ) is the leading presenter of top quality chamber music concerts throughout New Zealand.

Chamber music delivers a unique experience of great music that is up-close, personal, immersive and created for sharing – Music Up Close.

CMNZ's mission is to nurture the love and understanding of music, create remarkable experiences throughout Aotearoa, foster live music by solo performers and small ensembles, as well as encourage and support New Zealand performers and composers.

INTERNATIONAL CONCERT SERIES Through their unique year-long presentation of live music, CMNZ present a Music Up Close experience that is vibrant, distinctive and diverse. Every year, they bring together international performers with local musicians and composers, inspiring and engaging audiences across the country. The annual concert season offers audiences an array of experiences to explore: from period-instrument performances to jazz collaborations, string quartets to wind ensembles, cross-genre to cross-art form explorations.

REGIONAL CONCERT SERIES Alongside their main season, CMNZ collaborate with music presenters around Aotearoa. Mostly volunteer music societies and arts festivals, they co-present a Regional roster of musicians that supports innovative ensemble projects and encourages artistic breadth and depth. This series provides a professional platform for this country’s outstanding musicians, including emerging local performers through to established kiwi musicians. The touring groups often commission new works, champion repeat performances of NZ music, and engage in meaningful community outreach.

THE FUTURE OF CHAMBER MUSIC CMNZ also plays a vital part in introducing the inspiring world of chamber music to young minds. They achieve this through special school packages, school visits and educational concerts. They are also responsible for the longest running chamber music competition for secondary students, the NZCT Chamber Music Contest.

Mentorship is also an important facet of CMNZ’s ethos. Masterclasses, residencies and coaching sessions provide opportunities for aspiring artists to learn from internationally acclaimed musicians and gain professional development.

IN THE COMMUNITY Chamber Music New Zealand is constantly looking at new ways to give back to the community. Towards this effort, they organise a series of outreach activities, which include workshops, relaxed performances, audio described concerts and touch tours.

Alongside our core concert offering, we also organise a series of musical experiences outside of the concert hall – this includes their annual Matariki performance, informal Classical Sessions at Tuatara Brewery, The Third Eye, as well as pop up performances in unusual spaces.