Finale Concerts - Adam Summer School 2024

Two extraordinary Finale Concerts showcasing Aotearoa’s rising young stars of string and piano performance.

The Adam Summer School for Chamber Music celebrates 30 years when it returns to Nelson in February 2024. Showcasing Aotearoa’s rising young stars of string and piano performance, students will perform masterworks of the great composers in two extraordinary Finale Concerts (3:00pm and 7:00pm), including works by Beethoven, Mozart, Schumann, and Shostakovich. The Adam Summer School offers world-class coaching by the inimitable New Zealand String Quartet and this year, guest piano tutor Stephen De Pledge, and has seen more than 370 students attend the school in its 30-year history.


Free Open Masterclasses:
See how the music gets made at an Adam Summer School Masterclass. Select Adam Summer School Masterclasses will be open to the public to spectate, completely free of charge. Watch as these incredible young musicians work in real time with members of the New Zealand String Quartet and guest pianist, Stephen De Pledge, to hone their craft and prepare for their Finale Concerts on Sunday 18 February.

This is an unparalleled opportunity to witness the care and dedication that the next generation of string and piano players are putting into their music practice.

These Masterclasses are completely free to attend, and there’s no need to register ahead of time. Simply show up at Nelson Centre of Musical Arts on the day and check in at the Box Office to be shown to the correct room.

Full List of Open Masterclasses:

Sunday 11 February, 7pm (time changed from 8pm)
Monday 12 February, 5:15pm
Tuesday 13 February, 5:15pm
Wednesday 14 February, 5:15pm
Friday 16 February, 5:15pm
Saturday 17 February, 5:15pm

LOCATION: Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, 48 Nile Street, Nelson. Check in at the Box Office on arrival to find out which room the Masterclass is being held in.

Then, top off a week of music making by booking your tickets to the Finale Concerts on Sunday 18 February at 3pm and 7pm, to see the Adam Summer School students in full concert performance.


30 Years of the Adam Summer School:
The Adam Summer School for Chamber Music, a prestigious event for young string and piano players, is proud to announce its 30-year milestone. Established in 1995, the school has been a beacon for talented young string and piano players, drawing participants from around the country and overseas. The week-long immersive experience, hosted at the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, has become a hallmark event in the classical music calendar.

Taking place over eight days each February, the Adam Summer School brings together up to 30 talented young musicians and organizes them into brand-new chamber ensembles. For many, this is an opportunity to collaborate with peers that they may have never played with before. Under the guidance of renowned tutors, including members of The New Zealand String Quartet and guest Piano tutor Stephen De Pledge, the students undergo intensive masterclasses and workshops to prepare to showcase their work in two public Finale Concerts.