Victoria University alumna memorialises godmother with a seat in the National Music Centre
Elaine Newton’s passion for classical music will be remembered in Te Whare Whakarauika Wellington Town Hall’s Adam Auditorium.
Sylvia Findlay vividly remembers the first concert that her godmother, Elaine Newton, took her to see at the Wellington Town Hall.
“I must’ve been about twelve,” Sylvia recalls. “We saw a performance of Handel’s Messiah. We went backstage afterwards and met some of the soloists. It was wonderful.”
Growing up, Sylvia was quite close with Elaine and attributes her appreciation of the arts to Elaine’s influence. She says that Elaine was a rather accomplished pianist herself and received a Licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music in London before later earning a Master of History and becoming a teacher at Whanganui Technical College (now known as Whanganui City College).
“She was quite a determined and resourceful person,” says Sylvia. “She loved mountaineering and being in nature, but equally loved fashion and music. One day she’d be wearing the oldest clothes imaginable and hunting wild pigs out in the bush, and the next she’d be dressed up to attend a cultural event. She was a real live wire!”
Sylvia never got a proper chance to say goodbye to Elaine because she passed rather suddenly and didn’t want a funeral. For many years, Sylvia couldn’t find the right opportunity to honour her memory—until she learned about naming a seat in the National Music Centre.
“I wish I could have done more to support her toward the end of her life,” says Sylvia. “So when I saw the opportunity to donate a seat in her name, I thought it would be a fitting tribute as she was one of the main people who introduced me to classical music.”
By naming a seat in the restored Adam Auditorium, Sylvia can memorialise her beloved godmother’s legacy while also supporting the fit-out of the state-of-the-art performance and teaching spaces occupied by Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa—New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the New Zealand School of Music—Te Kōkī.
The National Music Centre, which will open along with the Wellington Town Hall in February 2027, combines exceptional acoustic and creative facilities, world-class recording studios, and cutting-edge technology that will enliven the creative heart of the capital city. Sylvia is thrilled to know that the NZSO, which meant so much to Elaine, will be a focal point in the revitalised Te Ngākau Civic Precinct.
“Elaine used to talk about getting the NZSO to come up and play in Whanganui,” says Sylvia. “She absolutely loved their performances. She’d always go backstage to congratulate the performers afterwards and sometimes would even bake a pavlova to give to them. And if there was a concert in Wellington, she’d drive down and then go back to Whanganui in the same night to look after her elderly father once the show was done.”
Sylvia, who received both a Bachelor's and Master’s degree in English from Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, is looking forward to attending the opening programme of the Town Hall next year with family members.
The programme, which is being announced over the next few months, will feature a wide array of spectacular performances from the NZSO, the NZSM, popular local musicians, and many other exciting acts. Sylvia is filled with joy knowing that Elaine’s memory will forever be part of the space that she cherished so much.
“Dedicating a seat is a wonderful opportunity to remember somebody that was special in your life while helping the music school and the orchestra flourish,” says Sylvia. “I hope the Centre brings artists from all over the country and the world for everyone to enjoy.”
To find out more about becoming a Chairholder in the Town Hall, visit the Become a Chairholder website or contact Acting Associate Director, Fundraising Corinne Barnard on 04 463 6952 or corinne.barnard@vuw.ac.nz.