ASQ
International
Music Academy

The 2026 ASQ International Music Academy will take place in Wellington from Monday 13 until Saturday 18 July 2026.

The twelfth ASQ International Music Academy will take place in Wellington from Monday 13 until Saturday 18 July 2026.

Applications will close on Sunday 15 March.

The 2026 Academy is situated at St Andrew's on The Terrace and will begin on Monday 13 July at 9:30am. Each day, participants will be busy with chamber music coaching and rehearsals taken by members of the Aroha String Quartet. Guest tutors will direct ensembles and classes in technique and musicianship. 

The ASQ International Music Academy will culminate in a Gala Concert in St Andrew's on the evening of Saturday 18 July.

The timetable includes time to practise, to relax and socialise with other participants. In the evenings, there will be time for informal concerts, workshops, and a sight-reading soiree, as well as other social events.

The ASQ International Music Academy is ideally suited to string players with a minimum standard of Grade VI. Pre-formed chamber ensembles are encouraged to apply. Participants not in an existing group will be organised into ensembles for coaching. Music will be sent out in advance.

Our guest tutors will be:

Donald Armstrong (NZSO Associate Concertmaster) - Violin & string orchestra conductor
Eli Vincent (NZSO) - Viola
David Chickering (NZSO Section Principal Emeritus) - Cello
Oleksandr Gunchenko (NZSO) - Double Bass

Click on the links below to download the documents for the 2026 Academy: the e-flyer, the brochure and the 2025 timetable (the 2026 timetable will be available closer to the event).

Applications should be made online via this link.

If you are unable to complete the online form, please contact the Academy Administrator.

Follow the links embedded in the composer names to watch videos of the string orchestra at the 2025 ASQ International Music Academy play works by Ritchie, Bartok and Bach.

For further information, please contact: Cathie McCallum, ASQ International Music Academy Administrator, academy@arohaquartet.co.nz.