
NEW ZEALAND'S PREMIERE RESIDENTIAL SUMMER SCHOOL
Proudly brought to you by The Pettman National Junior Academy of Music
Now celebrating its seventeenth anniversary, the Akaroa Music Festival is New Zealand’s premiere residential international Summer music school. An array of distinguished international musicians provides lessons, masterclasses and concerts against the breathtaking backdrop of one of the world’s most beautiful seaside towns.
These intensive days of music making also include solo performances, chamber music and a string orchestra, all designed to engage and inspire advanced young musicians.
Students are invited to apply on the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, piano, recorder, guitar and lute.
If you have never experienced an extended live-in music festival, be prepared to work hard, have fun, and play better than you thought you could. Our students come from all over New Zealand, Australia and from abroad, and the friendships made here are ones that last.
Mix work with and pleasure in Akaroa, the gem at the heart of the remarkable Banks Peninsula.
NEW ZEALAND’S PREMIERE RESIDENTIAL SUMMER SCHOOL
Proudly brought to you by The Pettman National Junior Academy of Music
Now celebrating its seventeenth anniversary, the Akaroa Music Festival is New Zealand’s premiere residential international Summer music school. An array of distinguished international musicians provides lessons, masterclasses and concerts against the breathtaking backdrop of one of the world’s most beautiful seaside towns.
These intensive days of music making also include solo performances, chamber music and a string orchestra, all designed to engage and inspire advanced young musicians. Students are invited to apply on the following instruments: violin, viola, cello, piano, recorder, guitar and lute.
If you have never experienced an extended live-in music festival, be prepared to work hard, have fun, and play better than you thought you could. Our students come from all over New Zealand, Australia and from abroad, and the friendships made here are ones that last.
Mix work with and pleasure in Akaroa, the gem at the heart of the remarkable Banks Peninsula.
OUR SUMMER SCHOOL
The International Akaroa Summer Music Festival and the University of Canterbury School of Music are excited to be offering a series of summer masterclasses for tertiary and pre-tertiary students. The classes will take place from January 8th to January 12th at the UC School of Music Arts Centre location. Individual lessons, and ensemble classes and lunchtime recitals by some of NZ’s best young musicians and seasoned professionals as well as plenty of performance opportunities for the summer school students will be offered as part of a 5 day intensive and immersive experience.
Summer School Schedule
- 6 x solo instrumental lessons (45 minutes each)
- Chamber music rehearsals and coaching
- Participation in masterclasses and workshops
- Participation in students’ lunchtime concerts series or competition for the most promising young artist
- Lessons with piano accompanist
- Performance opportunities for both solo and ensemble repertoire
Course Fee: $840 (including GST)
Recorder, guitar and lute
- 4 x solo instrumental lessons (45 minutes each)
- Chamber music rehearsals
- Workshops
- Participation in masterclasses
- Performance opportunities for both solo and ensemble repertoire
Course Fee: $480 (including GST)
The masterclasses are open to university students and high school and primary school students. Students under the age of fourteen must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. At the discretion of the organisers, applicants may be asked to audition, either video or in person. Passive participation as a listener is possible.
The festival consists of masterclasses and concerts.
The solo repertoire prepared for the courses should be indicated in detail and in writing by Friday, 15th of December 2023.
All active participants will receive free entry to any public concert organised by the International Akaroa Summer Festival 2024.
There are a limited number of practice rooms available. All lessons will be at the UC Arts at the Arts Centre of Christchurch.
https://www.canterbury.ac.nz/arts/uc-arts-city-location/
Arts Centre of Christchurch
3 Hereford St
Christchurch City
Covid 19
New Zealand’s borders are fully open to visitors and students. The International Akaroa Music Festival Covid policy will be based on the current NZ Ministry of Health and Covid response guidelines at the time of the festival.
The course fees are:
Summer School strings and piano
NZ$840
Recorder, lute, and guitar
NZ$480
Application fee – all courses
NZ$80
Observers
NZ$30 per day
The Summer School course fee includes:
- 6 lessons (60 minutes each)
- Chamber music or ensemble
- Piano accompaniment
- Free tickets for all concerts
Lute, guitar, and recorder
- 4 x solo instrumental lessons (45 minutes each)
- Chamber music rehearsals
- Participation in masterclasses
- Performance opportunities for both solo and ensemble repertoire
Application Fee
The application fee of NZ$80 and 50% of the course fee must be paid with the application by the due date; the remainder of the course fee not later than the 15th of December 2023. In the case of unsuccessful applications, the fees will be refunded. Payment is via credit card.
Observer cards may be purchased at the festival office which is located at the Akaroa Area School during the duration of the festival.
All applications are due by Friday 15th December 2023.
Late entries are only permitted if spaces are available.
Refunds for all course fees:
100% refund if withdrawing before 31 October 2023;
50% refund if withdrawing before 30 November 2023;
25% refund before 15 December 2023;
no refund after 15 December 2023.
NB – it is recommended that participants consider taking out insurance in case you are unable to attend at the last minute.
Timetable Summer School at the International Akaroa Music Festival
10.00 Lesson schedule starts/ possibility to rehearse and practice
Throughout the day – Ensemble rehearsals scheduled
12.30 Lunch, self catering
13.00 Daily Lunchtime concert for students
14.00 Lessons and Chamber music or ensemble practice
18.00 Dinner, self catering normally, provided on 16.1 and 18.1
19.00 Concert
TBC, 4pm
Fish and Chips (for students and staff)
on school ground in front of the Gymnasium
TBC, 4pm
BBQ (for students and staff)
on school ground in front of the Gymnasium
Students’ lunchtime concert competition
Part of the student concerts is a competition for the most promising young artist.
The winner will be invited to perform in the final concert on Sunday the 22nd of January at the Gaiety Hall.
If you need a piano accompaniment for the lunchtime concert series, please provide the sheet music as a PDF file by DATE TO BE CONFIRMED
Accommodation
The Akaroa Music Festival can arrange accommodation. A selection of shared holiday homes is available on a first come first serve basis. As price differences between homes can be significant, we recommend an early booking.
Holiday home accommodation arranged by the festival will range between NZ$40 to $75 (per night/person). A deposit of $300 must be paid at the time of application. This will be refunded in the case of unsuccessful applications.
Other accommodation is available in Akaroa, i.e. Motels, Airbnb, apartments and backpacks. The festival will not be booking these but can recommend websites.
https://www.akaroa.com/where-to-stay/
Please indicate on the application if you want the Akaroa Summer Festival to arrange accommodation.
Shuttle Service
The Akaroa Music Festival will be providing a shuttle service on Friday 13th January 2023 from Christchurch Airport, leaving at around 15.30pm and return from Akaroa to Christchurch Airport on Monday, 23rd January 2023, leaving at Akaroa Area School at 8am
The costs for the return shuttle service is $70 per person. If you wish to book the service, a 50% deposit is necessary with your application. The remainder is due no later than the 16th December 2022.
Flights
All students must book their own flights.
Flights from Australia
As flight prices fluctuate right now, it is recommended to check often before booking and, for international visitors, to also check routes via Auckland as these might be cheaper.
LUTE, GUITAR & RECORDER

The International Akaroa Summer Music Festival is excited to be offering a series of summer masterclasses for lute, guitar, and recorder. The classes will take place from Monday 8th January to Friday 12th January 2024 in Christchurch. Individual lessons, ensemble classes and lunchtime recitals by some of NZ’s best young musicians and seasoned professionals as well as plenty of performance opportunities for the summer school students will be offered as part of a 5 days intensive and immersive experience.
Artists in residence are:
Maria Wilgos, lute and guitar
Wolfgang Kraemer, recorder
Lute, Guitar, and Recorder Schedule
4 x solo instrumental lessons (45 minutes each)
Daily chamber music rehearsals or coaching
Participation in masterclasses
Performance opportunities for both solo and ensemble repertoire
Course Fee: $480 (including GST
SUMMER SCHOOL TEACHERS
Lisa Grosman
Australia
Violin/Viola
Heleen du Plessis
New Zealand
Cello
Michael Endres
Germany – New Zealand
Piano
Maria Wilgos
Poland
Lute/Guitar
Glenn Riddle
Australia
Piano
Wolfgang Kraemer
Germany / New Zealand
Recorder

Wolfgang Kraemer

Edith Salzmann
WITH THANKS TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
Maureen Pettman and The Pettman Foundation
Akaroa Area School
Mulberry House Akaroa
St Peter’s Church Akaroa
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Jardin Musical Trust
Pianos Plus NZ
The International Akaroa Music Festival:
Phone: (+64) 021 20 20 180
Email: wfkraemer@pnja.co.nz
The International Akaroa Music Festival
PO Box 65354, Mairangi Bay,
Auckland 0754, NEW ZEALAND
Director
Wolfgang Kraemer
Artistic Director
Edith Salzmann