About The New Zealand String Quartet
THE NEW ZEALAND STRING QUARTET - TE RŌPŪ TŪRŪ O AOTEAROA - EXISTS TO PROVIDE TRANSFORMATIONAL CHAMBER MUSIC EXPERIENCES FOR ALL NEW ZEALANDERS.
Since the ensemble was established in 1987, the NZSQ has earned an international reputation for its insightful interpretations, compelling communication, and dynamic performing style. The organisation is dedicated to providing dynamic and high-quality musical experiences for audiences of all levels of familiarity with chamber music.
The Quartet’s rich repertoire includes a wide variety of New Zealand music, composers’ cycles from Beethoven to Bartok, Mozart to Berg, and theatrical presentations encompassing spoken word and dance, from Haydn’s Seven Last Words to Schoenberg’s Transfigured Night. The NZSQ proudly champions New Zealand and Māori music and artists as cultural ambassadors at home and abroad. Since its inception, the Quartet has premiered over 150 New Zealand works, and won two Aotearoa Music Awards (Best Classical Album in 2011, and Best Classical Artist in 2024).
The NZSQ takes a leadership and advocacy role in advancing music education. Devoted teachers and mentors, all members of the Quartet teach at the New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī where the NZSQ has been Quartet-in-Residence since 1991, as well as running the Adam Chamber Music School in Nelson. The NZSQ runs the NZSM Chamber Music Intensive Weekend in Wellington for up-and-coming chamber musicians, and regularly mentors students from Sistema programmes across the country.
The longest-serving member of the Quartet, Gillian, has been awarded the MNZM honour for services to music in New Zealand.
Our Vision:
To reimagine what a string quartet can be for all New Zealanders in the 21st century.
Photo taken at an NZSQ Encounters concert by Maeve O'Connell
Photo taken at a Sounds of the Sanctuary concert by Latitude Creative
Our Mission:
To provide transformational chamber music experiences that reflect Aotearoa New Zealand's unique diversity and cultural fabric to the world.
Through a world-class fulltime national string quartet, we:
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Provide dynamic and high-quality musical experiences for all New Zealanders, that embrace the fresh and familiar;
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Take a leadership and advocacy role in advancing music education;
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Champion New Zealand arts and Ngā Toi Māori as cultural ambassadors at home and abroad.
Our Values:
Excellence
We continuously strive for excellence in all that we do, and imbue this within all aspects of our on and off stage mahi.
Diversity
We embrace and reflect the increasing diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the value this brings to our mahi.
Innovation
Is part of our DNA. We actively seek new ways to engage with our partners, audiences and communities, embracing new ideas and initiatives.
Collaboration
We foster a collaborative spirit within our organisation and develop wider partnerships with other artists, educators and communities.
Identity
We are champions of Aotearoa New Zealand music and advocates for the universal power of classical music, bringing a distinctive New Zealand voice to our performances at home and abroad.
360˚ Learning
We apply the principles of Ako (we are all teachers and learners) to all that we do, acknowledging this achieves better outcomes for all.
Photo taken at Adam Summer School by Leonora Soares