Success in Composition Competition

Hamish Regan, a Year 12 student (Rutherford House) entered the SOUNZ-Centre for New Zealand Music Choral Composition Competition this year and was awarded a high commendation.

He placed in the top seven of the competition with his piece “Persian Princess”. Hamish used Middle Eastern scales and Arabic text in his piece, inspired by a true story of a mummy that was discovered but whose origin was shrouded in mystery.

The adjudicator, NZ composer Chris Artley praised Hamish’s work, “wonderfully evocative opening section, with good use of an Arabic style melody that beautifully compliments the text. Addition of oboe, with its Middle Eastern timbral qualities, is an effective touch. Overall there is lots of good control of harmony, both in terms of voicing and progressions. You have clearly thought carefully about the meaning behind your chosen text.”