With the announcement of the semi-finalists for the New Zealand Junior Piano Competition 2020, we are delighted that three of the sixteen pianists selected from across New Zealand are Saint Kentigern students.

Catherine Chang (Year 13), Sunny Le (Year 10) and Charles Sang (Year 9) are all very talented musicians and extensively involved in the College music programme.

All three were recently involved in the Chamber Group competitions with Catherine and Sunny’s group being awarded silver at the National Competition. Catherine has been a finalist in the College Senior Solo Music Competition for the last three years, winning the piano section in 2018 and 2020, and the flute section in 2019! Sunny joined the College from the Boys’ School last year and in his first year at the College won the piano section of the Middle School Solo Music Competition. Charles is new to the College this year and is already making his mark in the Music Department.

As semi-finalists, the students will be expected to present a 20 minute recital programme on Friday 2 October – but like so many of the music activities in this year of disruption, these will be presented as a recording rather than played live.

Previous winners of the competition include Ashani Waidyatillake (currently in Year 12), who then continued on to compete in the National Wallace Piano Competition, as well as become a finalist in the NZ National Concerto Competition this year.

The College certainly has many talented students in all fields of endeavour who work hard to excel. Congratulations to Catherine, Sunny and Charles, three very talented musicians, and all the best for the New Zealand semi-finals!

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