New Zealand International Arts Festival

A Message from Lexus

At Lexus we are proud to sponsor the third Lexus Song Quest and continue our commitment to New Zealand's oldest and most prestigious song contest dating back over 50 years. The 2009 Lexus Song Quest will continue the rich traditions of past contests, providing many young singers with unique career opportunities to develop, perform and gain exposure both nationally and internationally.

We are honoured to have one of the world's greatest tenors, Siegfried Jerusalem, as the official Lexus Song Quest judge and to take the Lexus Masterclasses in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Lexus is delighted to provide a continuing opportunity through the Lexus Song Quest, the Lexus Masterclasses and study grants to recognise, encourage and applaud our best singing talent.

Bob Field
Chairman
Toyota New Zealand

A Message from the New Zealand International Arts Festival

The New Zealand International Arts Festival felt an immediate fit with the Song Quest when it took over the competition's management in 2004. Now, with two Song Quests under our belt, we fully realise the importance and the positive nature of this competition and its synergy with our organisation. We are also most appreciative of the on-going support and partnership of Lexus.

After the 2007 Lexus Song Quest, I had the great pleasure of accompanying the three prize-winners - Phillip Rhodes, Wade Kernot and Emma Fraser - on the inaugural Lexus Song Quest Recital Tour. After achieving so much in the competition, I was impressed with the way their performances developed throughout the week. Subsequently, when Phillip and Wade performed so well in principal roles in our 2008 Festival operas, I realised what a productive step the Lexus Song Quest can be in the career development of a young singer.

So to all young singers - we look forward to hearing you and wish you well on your journey within the Lexus Song Quest and beyond.

Fran Wilde
Chair
New Zealand International Arts Festival Trust

History

The combination of youth and talent is a very potent thing. We admire those who strive to achieve high standards and are prepared to put themselves on the line to be judged. All in all, it is human nature to love a good competition. So it is not surprising that the Lexus Song Quest (formerly the Mobil Song Quest) has been so popular since it started over 50 years ago.

1,324 singers entered the first Mobil Song Quest in 1956 - a nation-wide radio contest. Each singer went into their local radio station, recorded a ballad in English and their efforts were serialized into 19 weeks of radio programmes. By all accounts it was riveting radio and a nation-wide interest was swiftly grew in finding New Zealand's best young singers.

As society changed, so did the competition. Ensembles and Gilbert & Sullivan sections were some of the developments that were rather short-lived, but the influence of one singing teacher in Auckland, Sister Mary Leo, and the success of many of her students, helped to shape the competition into a more serious and perhaps more sought after prize. Input from some of the international judges has also helped to shape the competition into what it is today.

In 2005, nearly 50 years later, 61 young singers entered the first Lexus Song Quest - a much more challenging competition. They had to prepare a wide-ranging programme of classical music in three languages. Over time, the competition has become far more focused in its objectives and so probably, have the singers. They have been inspired by the achievements of those who have gone before them - not only by the impressive list of winners and their international careers, but by the many finalists and place-getters who have laid the foundations of strong vocal teaching and performance within New Zealand.

Now managed by the New Zealand International Arts Festival, the Lexus Song Quest is presented in an era of professionalism in the arts industry. Orchestras, opera companies and festivals around the country are all potential employers of the finalists.

To be successful in the final of the Lexus Song Quest opens the door for the best to join the recent winners of the Quest, such as Teddy Tahu Rhodes, Martin Snell, Andrea Creighton, Jonathan Lemalu, Jared Holt, Anna Leese, Madeleine Pierard and the 2007 winner Phillip Rhodes as a new generation of New Zealand artists on the international stage.

Previous Winners