Three virtuosos from The University of Auckland’s School of Music will take to the stage for the 3rd annual Graduation Gala Concerto Competition next month.

Three virtuosos from The University of Auckland’s School of Music will take to the stage for the 3rd annual Graduation Gala Concerto Competition next month.

The much-anticipated event has become an essential date on Auckland’s music calendar. The evening marks the culmination of the University’s Graduation Week and celebrates its new graduates with a concert featuring some of the School of Music’s top young musicians.

This year's concert will be conducted by internationally acclaimed musician Associate Professor Uwe Grodd and features solo performances by Joong-Han Jung (piano), Christine Kim (flute) and Tiantian Xu (piano). They will be supported by The University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra. The finalists are competing for a $3,000 top prize.

Born in South Korea, pianist Joong-Han Jung gained first class honours in his Bachelor of Music (Honours), which he studied under Rae de Lisle and Read Gainsford. He is currently completing his Master of Music with Gian-Franco Ricci. Joong-Han will play Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 4 in G major, 1st movement.

Also born in South Korea, Christine Kim is studying for a Master of Music with Associate Professor Uwe Grodd. She will perform Ibert’s Concerto pour flute et orchestre.

Chinese-born Tiantian Xu is studying for a Bachelor of Music (Honours) under the tutelage of Gian-Fransco Ricci. She will play Liszt’s Piano Concerto No 2 in A major.

“The response to our previous concerto competitions has been outstanding and we anticipate it will be equally enthusiastic this year," says Professor Robert Constable, Head of the School of Music.

“The Graduation Gala concert is a wonderful way to bring the University and the community together in a spirit of celebration.”

The University of Auckland Graduation Gala Concerto Competition will be held on Thursday 7 May at 7.30pm at the Auckland Town Hall. The concert is expected to last approximately 90 minutes. Patrons are strongly advised to arrive early in order to be assured admittance. The concert is free and open to the public.

• Artist biographies

Tiantian Xu - piano

Tiantian Xu (North Shore resident) is studying for a Bachelor of Music (Honours) under the tutelage of Gian-Fransco Ricci. Tiantian has been playing the piano since the age of five. Her outstanding performance skills gained her first prize in the China National Piano Duo Competition in 1997, and she also won the Hong Kong Piano Competition in 2001. Tiantian moved to New Zealand in 2004, and in that year won both the Schubert Scholarship and Margerate Doone Piano Sonata Scholarship in the Institute of Registered Music Teachers (IRMT) Scholarship Competition. Tiantian has performed in the USA, Australia, Czech Republic, Germany and Spain. In addition, she gained Honorary Citizenship of the state of Oklahoma, USA, where she was invited to join the “Red River Arts Academy” at Oklahoma State University.

Christine Kim - flute

Christine Kim (North Shore resident) is currently studying for a Master of Music (MMus) with Associate Professor Uwe Grodd. Christine began playing the flute at the age of 11, when she was living in the USA. She was a (very young) winner of The 74th Annual Society of American Musicians Competition in 1999. Since her move to New Zealand in 2001, she has been actively involved in many musical groups and achieved excellent results in various competitions. In 2006, Christine was the runner-up, as well as ‘best woodwind’ at the Rotorua National Unison Concerto Competition. Her 2007 successes included 3rd place in The University of Auckland Concerto Competition. In 2008 she was the recipient of the Anne Bellam Scholarship and was invited to play in the prestigious Sir James Galway master class held in Switzerland in August.

Joong-Han Jung - piano

Born in South Korea, 23 year-old Joong-Han Jung (west Auckland resident)has been playing the piano since he was 11 years old. Since coming to New Zealand he has won prizes in the Rotorua Recital Awards, the Kapiti Coast National Piano Competition and the Kerikeri National Piano Competition. Most recently his performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No.4 gained him second place in the Christchurch National Piano Concerto Competition, as well as the audience prize for the best performance. Joong-Han gained first class honours in his Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree, which he studied under Rae de Lisle and Read Gainsford. He is currently completing his Master of Music degree with Gian-Franco Ricci, after which he plans further studies in the USA.