Piper Donaldson is a year 10 music student who is a pianist and harpist. She is a member of the Westlake Symphony Orchestra and also plays in ensembles outside of school.
Piper entered a composition competition run through the Institute of Registered Teachers New Zealand, which is for high school students from around Auckland. Piper submitted a piece for harp titled ‘Thistle’ and won first place and $200 prize money.
Piper says of her composition:
” ‘Thistle’ is the name of my harp and represents how delicate and pretty the harp is, soothing the listener to sleep”.
The adjudicator was award-winning composer Chris Artley who describes her piece as ‘charming, flows well with a good use of textures and registers of the harp’. Congratulations, Piper!