Join us for a Free Musical adventure this NZ Music Month
We're bringing the joy of New Zealand piano music to five venues across Auckland, and we want you to be part of it!
Welcome Message from Lee Martelli
CONCERT COMPLETE
Blockhouse Bay
5 May 2025
Our very first Play Our Preludes concert at Blockhouse Bay Boatclub has now happened – and what a fantastic start it was!
It was wonderful to see so many of you there, sharing in the music and the energy of the night. Thank you so much to everyone who came along and made the event so special. We can’t wait to see you at our next concert!
Five FREE concert locations featuring lively tunes by Christopher Norton
A chance for young Auckland composers to showcase their talent. The new original winning piano pieces will be played by Lee Martelli-Wood during the concert
Interactive percussion finale - bring your rhythm!
New Zealand Music Month
Join Us in Celebrating Vibrant Sounds of Aotearoa
This annual event showcases the incredible talent and diversity of Kiwi musicians across the country. From free concerts featuring local artists to special radio and TV programming highlighting NZ music, there's a wealth of activities to enjoy. Live performances at venues nationwide, music workshops, educational events, and album releases will keep music lovers entertained throughout the month.
New Zealand Music Month offers a brilliant opportunity to discover exciting new Kiwi artists and support local musicians and the NZ music industry. It's a chance to experience the rich musical heritage of Aotearoa and enjoy a wide range of genres from rock to hip-hop to classical. Whether you're a long-time fan of NZ music or new to the scene, there's something for everyone.
Getting involved is easy and rewarding. Attend a live show in your area, stream NZ artists on your favourite platforms, or purchase music and merchandise from local musicians. Share your favourite Kiwi tunes on social media with #NZMusicMonth to spread the word. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the sounds of New Zealand and be part of the celebration that amplifies the voice of our homegrown talent.
Rock Preludes
Books 1 & 2
by Christopher Norton
Latin Preludes
Books 1 & 2
by Christopher Norton
Original Preludes
World premieres of original preludes by Auckland composers under 30
Early Access
Doors open 30 minutes before showtime. Arrive early to soak in the atmosphere
Accessibility
If you have any accessibility requirements or need reserved seating, please don't hesitate to contact us.
Email us at nspiano@gmail.com with your specific needs, and we'll do our best to accommodate you and reserve appropriate seating.
No Ticket Required
All concerts are absolutely FREE. Bring your friends and family!
Be Part of the Performance
Grab a percussion instrument and join in for the thrilling finale of each concert!
Featured Artists
Cristopher Norton
New Zealand-born composer Christopher Norton is the creative force behind the globally successful Microjazz series. With over a million copies sold, his music combines classical techniques with popular styles, delighting players and audiences worldwide.
Lee Martelli-Wood
Lee is an accomplished pianist with a passion for New Zealand music. With a Master of Music degree and extensive performance experience, Lee brings energy and expertise to every concert.
Young Composer Opportunity Winners!
We are thrilled to announce the results of our Young Composer Competition for Play Our Preludes!
The talent and creativity displayed by our young Auckland composers have been nothing short of extraordinary. Before we reveal our winners, we'd like to share some general feedback on the submissions we received.
The diversity and quality of submissions have left us in awe. Here's what stood out:
We received excellent submissions from across Auckland – North, South, East, West, and Central – truly representing the breadth of our city's young musical talent.
Many pieces boasted intriguing titles that perfectly captured the essence of the music, showcasing the composers' ability to create cohesive musical narratives.
Composers provided detailed performance instructions, demonstrating a deep understanding of how to communicate their vision to performers. Many pieces incorporated humour, opening up opportunities for dramatic performances and audience engagement.
The original approaches to harmony, which challenged the boundaries of traditional piano composition, impressed us. The composers effectively utilised the full range of the piano, crafting pieces that were both technically impressive and sonically diverse.
Many pieces incorporated humour, opening up opportunities for dramatic performances and audience engagement.
The Winning Compositions
After careful deliberation, we have selected five outstanding pieces to be featured in our NZ Music Month concerts
01
August in Roza
by YuYang (Luke) Ding
from Westlake Boys High School
02
Nightmares & Daydreams
by Denzel Panama
Papatoetoe Resident
03
Prelude
by Bonnie Tran
Selwyn College Student
04
Prelude to the Wooden Frog
by Justin Villaflores
Composition Graduate
05
Seurat's Salsa
by Jave Laufuente
North Shore Graduate
One submission was also awarded a Highly Commended:
Amour et Mort
by Yoonseo Shin
Composition Graduate
CONGRATULATIONS
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the winning composers! Your pieces will be performed by Lee Martelli-Wood at our upcoming NZ Music Month concerts across Auckland.
To all participants, your dedication to the craft of composition is commendable. Keep nurturing your talent and pushing the boundaries of your creativity. The future of New Zealand's music scene shines brightly with promising young composers like you.
Don't Miss Out!
Experience the vibrant world of New Zealand piano music. From Christopher Norton's lively Microjazz to emerging local talent, there's something for everyone. Come be part of this unique celebration of New Zealand's musical creativity!