In 1964, a young piano student walked into Nelson’s School of Music and knew she had found somewhere special. Four decades later, a new Nelson resident signed up as an usher and discovered she didn’t need to play an instrument to belong.
Those moments in 1964 and 2005 are now part of a new fundraising push by the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts, which marks its 125th anniversary this year.
The 125 for 125 campaign invites 125 people to sponsor a year in the centre’s history with a $1,000 contribution. The aim is to raise $125,000 to help maintain the historic building and support its teaching and performance programmes into the future.
For 125 years, the centre, formerly known as the Nelson School of Music, has been a base for lessons, rehearsals, concerts and community events. Like many long-running arts organisations, it relies on local support to keep the doors open and the building maintained.
Music teacher Virginia Ward has chosen to sponsor 1964, the year she moved from Wellington to Nelson to continue her piano studies.
“I was thrilled to know about it. I gained my piano teaching diploma and joined the teaching staff… 1964 is 62 years ago now, so that’s sort of getting on for half of the age of the building.”
She remembers her first steps into the auditorium and how special it felt.
“So many people have learned here, taught here, performed here, and been in audiences, so it is just so important that Nelson realises what an asset we have, and we have to keep it going. We know just how expensive it is to maintain a building like this, and I guess you could say it is iconic.”
Virginia is still teaching at the centre, working mainly with adult students.
“I just love it,” she says.
Her ties to the organisation run deep. Her grandmother was a pianist, and her grandfather played violin, viola, cello and double bass.
“Not all at once, though,” she quips. “He was obviously very useful in the orchestra.”
She has also seen three children go through the “hallowed halls”, with two now professional musicians.
Volunteer Alison McLeish’s connection began more recently. She has sponsored 2005, the year she moved from Richmond to Nelson and began volunteering, first as an usher and later with the Adam Chamber Music Festival. Over the years she has also taken minutes for the trust board and transported visiting musicians to and from the airport.
Although she does not consider herself musical, she values what the centre offers.
“I never had had the opportunity to play an instrument, and this was the closest to being able to enjoy it without having to learn,” she says.
“The highlight of being involved here is getting to know the people, and also the Adam Chamber Music Festival, which I just love, and the recent one was exceptional.”
Her involvement now includes the next generation.
“I am bringing my grandson now, who is four and a half. He has been coming now for about two years, and his dream now is to play the cello.”
The campaign has attracted a mix of personal and business backers. Beggs Music has sponsored 1910, the year it opened, while Nelson Mayor Nick Smith has sponsored 1970, the year his wife Linley was born.
NCMA director Myles Payne says they would not be where they are now without the support of the community.
“When I look at the history of this building, it has gone through loads of times when it has fallen into disrepair, and it has needed to be really saved, and it is always the community that steps up.”
Each $1,000 sponsorship supports the upkeep of the building and the continuation of teaching and performance at the centre. Alongside the fundraising effort, a programme of anniversary concerts and events is planned throughout 2026.
Go to ncma.nz/125-donate/ to find out more about the campaign.
