Entries are now open online to secondary school students for the 48th NZCT Chamber Music Contest. This year's contest includes a new category in the Original Composition section for students in years nine and ten. The special junior composition category requires compositions of no less than one minute and no more than four minutes. This category is designed to encourage younger composers who might not be ready to enter the senior category (available to all secondary school levels) which requires a piece of at least four minutes. 

The distric rounds will take place during June 2012 in Whangarei, Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Gisborne, Hawkes Bay, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Palmerston North, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin and Invercargill. Auckland will host the national finals this year on August 3rd and 4th.

Participants have the opportunity to apply for additional coaching in the lead up to the contest and those who place in district and national rounds receive some impressive awards including certificates, cash prizes, music vouchers, music texts and passes to the 2013 Chamber Music New Zealand season.

For more information and to enter online visit: http://www.chambermusic.co.nz/music-contest/2012