I'm delighted to host a house concert featuring three multi-talented students from the University of Waikato Conservatorium of Music.
Friday 11th October 2024
Time 7pm, please come between 6.30 and 6.50pm
Tickets $45 (children under 15 years free) TIcket price includes Alpino pizza, wine and non-alcoholic drinks.
Bookings through this website, limited to 45 people.
The Programme
Fantasia on the theme of “Der Freischütz”
Paul Taffanel (1844—1908)
Jacqui McPherson - Flute
Fergus Byett - Piano
Sonata ’Undine’, Op. 167
Carl Reinecke (1824—1910)
I. Allegro
II. Intermezzo
III. Andante tranquillo
IV. Finale
Matthew Burns - Flute
Fergus Byett - Piano
Sonata in a minor, H.562
C.P.E.Bach (1714—1788)
I. Poco Adagio
II. Allegro
III. Allegro
Jacqui McPherson - Flute
Fantasie No.2, TWV 40:3
Georg Phillip Telemann (1681—1767)
Matthew Burns - Flauto Traverso
Premiére Arabesque, L.66
Claude Debussy (1862—1918)
Fergus Byett - Piano
Rigoletto-Fantasie, Op.38
Karl and Franz Doppler (1825—1900)(1821—1883)
I. Allegro assai moderato
II. Theme and Variations
III. Allegro
Matthew Burns - Flute
Jacqui McPherson - Flute
Fergus Byett - Piano
The Performers
Matthew Burns
Matthew Burns is a flautist-composer currently fininshing his studies at the Waikato University Conservatorium of Music. With a broad interest in music, Matthew performed in concert bands, musical theatre, and jazz combos before studying classical flute performance under Dr. Luca Manghi at Waikato. Recently, Matthew has also started studying the baroque flauto traverso under Waikato's own Kathryn Orbell.
During his studies Matthew also developed a love for composition, which was fostered and guided by Michael F. Williams and Prof. Martin Lodge. Matthew's works have been shortlisted for the Lilburn Composition Awards (2021), and highly commended in the OCT Ensemble Composition Competition (2022). His Electro-acoustic Work 1 was premiered by Fergus Byett at UoW's OKTA performance in 2023, and most recently his "moment one" was premiered by Mark Menzies in Wellington and Christchurch as part of a collection of 'micro-scores' written for the Composer's Association of New Zealand Young Composer's Workshops (2024). His work traverses various harmonic languages, with influences ranging from Jazz to atonality, and often explores stillness and breath. His recent experimentation with electonics and early computer music seeks to combine live electronics with performing musicians in an organic manner.
Jacqui McPherson
Jacqui McPherson is in her Honours year at the University of Waikato, having completed a conjoint Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Bachelor of Music in Flute Performance under the tutelage of Dr. Luca Manghi. She obtained her LTCL from Trinity College London in flute and NZMEB Grade 8 in piano in 2019, both with Distinction. She was principal flautist in New Zealand Youth Symphonic Winds, NZ's only national youth concert band, for multiple years, as well as her local concert band and youth orchestra. She was a member of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra in 2022 and 2023, was a reserve member in 2021, and has performed in the NZSO's open doors concerts for multiple years.
She has enjoyed both academic and cultural successes while at university, gaining the prestigious Norah Howell Music award (2020), Blues awards (2021-24), and making the Pro-Vice Chancellor's list for Academic Excellence in all her years of study. She was a soloist with the all-comer's band at the NZCBA National Band Festival in 2022 and has been a recipient of multiple scholarships. She is a regular performer in the University's lunchtime, museum, and regional concerts, has been a finalist in multiple University competitons, and was the winner of the University of Waikato Chamber Competiton (2022).
In her spare time she works as a software engineer, volunteers for musical theatre productions, and participates in community music endeavours.
Fergus Byett
Originally from Taupō, Fergus Byett moved to Hamilton in 2019 to study Classical Performance (Piano) at the University of Waikato. With the support of a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship, he completed his undergraduate studies under Katherine Austin, and in 2024 he completed his Masters with First-Class Honours under Dr. Rae de Lisle. In the same year, Fergus won the University of Waikato Concerto Competition, Bach Competition, and Chamber Music Competition, as well as both Recital and Concerto classes at the 2024 Hamilton Competitions.
His compositions have won national awards, including in the 'Compose Aotearoa!' Composition Competition, and in 2024 he holds Composer-in-Residence with Choirs Aotearoa and the Auckland Youth Choir. He is a collaborative pianist at the University of Waikato, where he has also worked as a music theory and piano tutor, and is a founding Artistic Director of the Waikato Youth Choir. Fergus is a casual organist at the Waikato Cathedral Church of St. Peter.