It has also been a year of creativity for the internationally respected Dunedin composer, who celebrated his 60th birthday in September by witnessing the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra’s world premiere performance of his Symphony No. "After everything that has happened this year, it was just lovely to be able to be there in person to hear the symphony," Prof Ritchie said. Written for Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, the work was recorded by the CSO between Covid-19 lockdowns, and will be performed live by that orchestra in 2022. "The Performing Arts School is in good heart — we have new people on board and our new building is a real boost for morale." "It is good for New Zealand music in general, and contemporary music, that people are happy to vote for something new," Prof Ritchie said.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 19, 2020 04:30 UTC