Third time lucky for violin winner
From the Spring 2006 edition of Bush Telegraph Magazine.
Winner of the 2006 Kendall National Violin Competition, Jennen Ngiau-Keng, with luthier Graham Caldersmith. Photo by Lyndal Coote
It was a case of three times lucky for the winner of the Kendall National Violin Competition this year. The title went to Jennen Ngiau-Keng on his third attempt at the prize.
The Kendall National Violin Competition invites young violinists resident in Australia to compete for the prize of a concert violin made from Australian timbers by renowned Australian luthier, Graham Caldersmith.
The competition began in 1999 and was instigated by Graham Caldersmith, associate professor of violin and chair of the string unit at the Sydney Conservatorium and artistic director of the competition, Goetz Richter, and Keri Levy, secretary of the competition and founding secretary of the Camden Haven Music Festival.
The Kendall township has a history of forest management and timber milling so it is fitting that the competition has been sponsored from the beginning by Forests NSW and Australian Solar Timbers.
“This year Forests NSW former chief executive, Peter Duncan, and director general of the Department of Primary Industries, Barry Buffier, heard Jennen play during the semi-finals at Government House, Sydney,” said Forests NSW Central Region manager, Kathy Jones.
“Then, at the finals in Kendall, Jennen and finalists Sonja Schebeck, Bing Xiang and Lillian So played to an enthralled audience, including Forests NSW acting chief executive, Alastair Howard.
“Jennen played brilliantly, taking out all three prizes: audience choice award, Australian composition and overall winner.”
Public Affairs & Media, Coffs Harbour
