Christchurch Symphony Orchestra appoints new concertmaster

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New Zealand’s Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) has announced the appointment of Justine Cormack as its new concertmaster.

A native of Ōtautahi Christchurch, Cormack has had a long-standing association with CSO, where she had her early professional engagements with the orchestra following violin studies at the University of Canterbury Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha in the late-1980s.

’I am absolutely thrilled to be returning to CSO as concertmaster,’ said Cormack. ’The orchestra plays such an important role within the city of Ōtautahi Christchurch - a city so very close to my heart, and I am so proud of this fine orchestra and all it has achieved.

’I feel honoured to be joining this vibrant group of musicians, and I look forward to intimately supporting them in their artistic growth and helping the orchestra to further flourish and to continue to inspire its community.’

Cormack completed her Doctor of Musical Arts Degree from Stony Brook University, NY, and served as concertmaster of the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra from 2000 to 2004.

She was a founding member and violinist of NZTrio from 2002 to 2017, performing throughout New Zealand, Australia, Asia, South America, the USA, Europe and Scandinavia, as well as serving as ensemble-in-residence at the University of Auckland, School of Music.

In recent years, she has performed regularly as a chamber soloist and guest concertmaster, and is festival director of At the World’s Edge Festival.

Cormack plays an 1868 J.B. Vuillaume violin.

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