First Todd Young Composer: Chris Gendall

Here is a post from a website tracking New Zealand Composers. Our very own Chris Gendall, whose piece So it Goes will be featured on the December 11 concert, is featured in the following article.

Chris Gendall

(centre) hears his work performed by the NZSO. Chris Gendall has been awarded the inaugural Todd Young Composers Award for his composition So It Goes, following two days of rehearsed readings in Wellington.
Conductor Hamish McKeich led the NZSO through works by nine young New Zealand composers: Claire Cowan (My Alphabet of Light), Andari Anggamulia (Les Images) and Jeff Lin (Waft and Conflict) from Auckland, Andrew Baldwin (Scenes from the Countryside, Op4.), Antony Verner (Time Pursuit), Isaac Stone (Contrasting Worlds ) and Chris Gendall (So It Goes)of Wellington, Thomas Brazier (Antarctica) from Christchurch and Ryan Youens (Subsidence) of Dunedin. John Psathas acted as mentor for the young composers. Ranging in age from 16 to 24, these nine composers and their works were chosen from a larger number of entries. The general consensus from players and audience alike was that the standard of orchestral writing was very high indeed. Perhaps we will have an opportunit y to hear these works again in concert repertoire?
John Todd of the Todd Foundation was on hand at a reception following the readings to present Chris with the prize. Admitting that he had only ever played a ukelele, he expressed his admiration for the outstanding level of achievement shown by all nine young composers. It is hoped that the event will become and annual feature of the orchestra's education programme.
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sounz.org.nz