ChamberLab @ Te Kōkī

A jam-packed weekend of music-making and coaching with the New Zealand String Quartet

Applications are now open for the NZSQ ChamberLab @ Te Kōkī
30 May – 1 June 2026

Get ready for a jam-packed weekend of music-making and coaching with the New Zealand String Quartet (NZSQ) at the New Zealand School of Music – Te Kōkī (NZSM). Previously known as the King’s Birthday Chamber Music Intensive, the NZSQ ChamberLab is a free weekend of workshops and masterclasses for secondary school chamber music ensembles.

The weekend is perfect for pre-formed secondary chamber ensembles, primarily formed of violin, viola, cello and piano students. It is also a great opportunity for those who want to get a taste of what it’s like to study classical performance in Wellington at Victoria University, under the tutelage of the renowned New Zealand String Quartet musicians alongside other expert NZSM tutors.

As part of the weekend students will warm up together, have access to world-class tutoring, attend masterclasses, and perform for each other. The weekend will culminate in a public finale concert where they’ll showcase everything they learned.

The course will take place at The New Zealand School of Music - Te Kōkī Kelburn campus and is completely free to attend.

The weekend will include a fun group excursion; Orchestra Wellington is generously offering ChamberLab participants free tickets to attend the first subscription concert of the Orchestra Wellington season at the Michael Fowler Centre on Saturday 30th May.

We encourage groups from outside Wellington to apply. If you are interested in bringing your group from outside Wellington but need time to organise travel and accommodation logistics, please get in touch with us directly to express your interest and enquire about reserving a slot.

Email: nzsq@nzsq.org.nz

Applications are open now and close at 9am on Monday 23 March. Keep reading for more information about the weekend and the application process.

Apply Now

Applications close 9am Monday 23 March 2026.

FINALE CONCERT

Everyone is welcome to join us on the final day of the 2026 ChamberLab to enjoy a finale concert showcasing our participant's hardwork and dedication.

After two days of tips, tricks and world-class coaching, these young musicians will showcase their hardwork and dedication in a free, public finale concert. This is your chance to see them in action and experience the future of Aotearoa chamber music.

There's no need to RSVP or register ahead of time, simply show up at least five minutes before the concert to secure your front row seats and support our young chamber music stars!

More information about this event coming soon.

ABOUT THE WEEKEND

Dates

Saturday 30 May - Sunday 31 May
- Rehearsals, Coaching Sessions, and Masterclasses

Monday 1 June
- Dress Rehearsals and Public Concert at 2:00pm

Who is it for?

This experience has been designed for pre-formed chamber music ensembles at secondary school or undergraduate level, primarily consisting of violin, viola, cello and piano students. It is an excellent opportunity to get a taste of what it’s like to study at the New Zealand School of Music at either undergraduate and post-graduate level. It also presents an opportunity for groups competing in the Chamber Music New Zealand NZCT Chamber Music Contest to work on their repertoire ahead of the District Rounds.

Repertoire & Preparation

To prepare for the ChamberLab weekend, each group must rehearse a piece of music of their choice. This is the reperoire that your coaching sessions and masterclasses with focus on. You will be asked to provide details of your chosen repertoire in the application form.

Location

The weekend will take place at The New Zealand School of Music - Te Kōkī at Victoria University of Wellington Kelburn Campus. Participants will have to make their own way to and from the university campus each day. The finale concert will be held in the Adam Concert Room. See on Google Maps.

Groups travelling from outside Wellington will need to arrange their own travel and accommodation.

Application Process

To apply, each group must complete the application form (one form per group). The link to this form and more information about what the application requires can be found in the section below.

Applications will be assessed on a first-come-first-served basis, however priority will be given to groups that meet the following criteria:

Chamber music ensembles containing any combination of violin, viola, cello and piano students.
Secondary school ensembles where all group members are between the ages of 11 and 19
Or, undergraduate tertiary ensembles considering post-grad study in the future
A number of places will be held for groups travelling from outside of Wellington
A number of places will be held for groups that have never received coaching from the NZSQ before

Costs

There is no fee to participate in the 2026 NZSQ ChamberLab @ Te Kōkī.

Catering

Please note there will be no catering provided for participants, so please ensure to bring all meals/snacks required during the weekend. Parents/guardians are welcome to stay and listen to the music. A separate area will be allocated for those helping to supervise the groups and tea and coffee will be provided.

Adult Supervision

For participants under 18 years.

It is expected that each group will have at least one parent/guardian in attendance over the long weekend to help supervise participants during rehearsals and breaks.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications for the 2026 NZSQ ChamberLab @ Te Kōkī are open now and will close at 9am on Monday 23 March 2026. Applications will be assessed on a first-come-first-served basis.

Applications must be submitted via the application form. This can be completed by a parent or guardian, on behalf of the students. Each application form must contain information about each player and the group’s chosen repertoire, as well as contact details for at least one member and/or parent or guardian.

All applications will be considered; however priority will be given to groups that meet the following criteria:

Chamber music ensembles containing any combination of violin, viola, cello and piano students.
Secondary school ensembles where all group members are between the ages of 11 and 19
Or, undergraduate tertiary ensembles considering post-grad study in the future
A number of places will be held for groups travelling from outside of Wellington
A number of places will be held for groups that have never received coaching from the NZSQ before

For secondary school groups, it is expected that at least one parent per group is present for each day of the weekend. Please note the supervising parent does not have to be the same every day.