A Smorgasbord of Song with Zara Ballara and Iola Shelley: CANCELLED

Christchurch Competitions Society Fundraiser
A Smorgasbord of Song With Zara Ballara & Iola Shelley

Musical competitions have always been part of New Zealand’s history in all the major cities and many smaller towns. The Competition Society began in Christchurch in 1911 and has only ever missed one year, 2020, due to the Covid pandemic. Not even earthquakes or world wars could stop them.

Their Mission Statement: To promote the arts amongst young people providing a public platform to give them an opportunity to perform and compete.

It is with great pleasure that Zara and Iola in collaboration with The Piano present a special Mother’s Day Fundraiser to support this diverse and progressive society. In 1921 Christchurch Competitions Society hosted its first “Demonstration Concert in a crowded theatre with the prize winners offering a high level of talent. What started as Music and Elocution, now hosts ballet, jazz, highland and tap dancing.

All the proceeds from this concert will go to the Competitions Society for the sole purpose of reinstating the Demonstration Concert now called “The Winners Gala” which will be held in The Piano on the 12th of August.

Zara and Iola are accomplished musicians and mentors here and internationally. Zara is the performance voice coordinator and Iola, a long standing pianist at the University of Canterbury. Join them for this musical collaboration as they present a concert filled with lilting melodies and familiar tunes, cherishing Mother’s everywhere.