FIVE LOCALS FOCUS ON FESTIVAL

It’s no secret that a new music festival is coming to town in the spring. Martinborough already has its Jazz weekend, and ‘Jazz in Martinborough’ stalwart Ian Cresswell firmly believed the time was ripe for a new venture to celebrate classical music. The idea took off like a rocket with the prompt establishment of a ‘steering group’ – who don’t like to be referred to as a ‘Committee’!

These five locals have been meeting often and are hard at work getting everything in place to get the first ‘Martinborough Music Festival’ up and running. They are finding learning new skills and perfecting the art of ‘event organising’ a stimulating challenge along the way.

The ‘team captain’ is Euan Huggett. He and his partner Suzanne Warner have lived in town since 2015; moving back to New Zealand from Sydney where they ran a community music school. Euan plays clarinet.
Marion Townend is a violist and formerly played in the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s forerunner organisation – the Symphonia of Auckland. For 25 years she taught strings and ensemble in Rotorua, where she lived with her husband Hugh who is also a musician! They love living in town and making music is very much a part of their life here as they form half of the ‘Martinborough String Quartet’.

Number three in the group is Brendan Smyth [MNZM]. Another recent ‘retiree’ to Martinborough, Brendan spent 26 years as Music Manager at NZonAIR and previous to that, ten years doing a similar job for the QEII Arts Council [CreativeNZ]. Recently he’s been rising early to watch the America’s Cup racing, but still managed to function excellently at the frequent group meetings!

Winifred Bull has an MBA, and owns Cabbage Tree Vineyard in Kitchener Street with her husband David. Winifred, who sings beautifully, belongs to the Martinborough Community Choir, and is currently involved in a partnership with the NZ School of Classical Voice raising funds for their opera productions. Many Martinborough music lovers refuse to miss out on her house concerts featuring young students of opera. Her work career includes senior management positions in the health sector with up to 121 staff and a $5million budget.

Then there’s me bringing up the rear, as it were. Most people know me in town by now, as I’ve been here for more than forty years. I love Martinborough to bits, and I’m super keen to see more cultural entertainment and activities in town. I’ve always loved classical music though not a professional or even very expert player of any instrument.

Of course when I got wind of the proposed Chamber Music weekend, I was delighted to help. I’m a new member of the Community Board which has been added to other dabbles in community affairs.
The Spring Festival will be fabulous … watch this space!

Maree Roy