The New Zealand School of Music has access to a number of excellent performance venues on campus and in the wider Wellington region.

The Adam Concert Room

The Adam Concert Room, built with generous support from the Adam Foundation, is central to the School of Music Kelburn complex. Seating an audience of 140, it offers recording facilities of professional standard in an outstanding acoustic. A feature is the beautiful classical organ designed and built specially for the Adam Concert Room by the Dutch firm Reil, and installed in 1992. The Adam Concert Room also houses two Steinway grand pianos including the School’s new Model D concert grand. Adjustable seating allows for a wide range of events to take place in traditional concert style, or in the round.

The Hunter Council Chamber

Formerly housing the University Library then the Law Library, the Hunter Council Chamber with its fine stained glass windows is an icon of Victoria University of Wellington with an excellent acoustic for music. It is managed by Vic Venues. The Council Chamber houses two Steinway Model D concert grand pianos including the Turnovsky Piano, a full-sized concert grand Steinway acquired through the generosity of the Turnovsky Trust in 1999. The Hunter Common Room, which usually acts as a foyer for the Council Chamber has a large catering kitchen and service area for receptions.

Victoria University of Wellington Memorial Theatre

In 2015, the Victoria University of Wellington Memorial Theatre was the venue for the School’s double-bill opera production of Dido and Aeneas and L’Enfant et les Sortilèges. The theatre has a large stage and greenroom area and seats over 250 people. It is managed by Vic Venues.

Wellington downtown venues

The School also makes use of venues around the city including the Opera House (which hosted our 2015 NZSM Jazz Project), venues at Te Papa (Te Marae and Soundings Theatre), the Bristol Hotel on Cuba Street, Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre in Upper Hutt, St Marks in Lower Hutt and St Andrews on The Terrace. NZSM ensembles, students and staff often perform at these venues as part of the various concerts scheduled by other Wellington organisations.