Adam International Cello Festival and Competition

The Adam International Cello Festival and Competition took place in Christchurch, New Zealand, every two or three years between 1995 and 2009, on the initiative of Professor Alexander Ivashkin and Professor Natalia Pavlutskaya while on the staff at the School of Music, University of Canterbury. The mission of the competition was to provide an opportunity for gifted young musicians in New Zealand to meet and compete with their international peers. Professor Ivashkin subsequently became the Artistic director of the Festival. The acclaimed Russian cellist, pianist, and conductor Mstislav Rostropovich accepted the position of patron. The Festival and Competition were supported by Denis and Verna Adam of the Adam Foundation, as well as charitable trusts, business and private sponsors.

The festival was based at the Great Hall, located in the Christchurch Arts Centre and took the form of a week long programme of competition rounds, guest recitals, masterclasses, workshops, conversations, and social events.

Applications were accepted from young cellist between the ages of 14 and 30 years old from around the world. The first round consisted of an audio or video tape recording. Around 20 young musicians were selected and invited to compete in the remaining three rounds in Christchurch.

The event culminated in a final gala, in which the finalists performed a concerto with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in the Christchurch Town Hall. The winner received a cash prize, a recording contract with Naxos Records, and a performance contract with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. A number of other prizes were awarded.

The festival's importance was demonstrated by the consistently high calibre of the competitors it attracted and the prizewinners' subsequent international success. It was also reflected in the quality of the international jury panels which included world-renowned cellists.

Funds were raised by the Board of Trustees to produce each festival. Applications were made to a variety of prospective donors, including charity trusts, business sponsors, and private sponsors either for general funding or support.

All competitors were billeted by local families.

The 7th Adams Festival and Competition was held in March and April 2009, this was the last to date. Two consecutive earthquakes in Christchurch, Canterbury, in September 2010 and February 2011, led to massive destruction in Christchurch. Both the Great Hall at the Art Center and the Christchurch Town Hall were damaged. Due to these circumstances the board of trustees decided to cancel future competitions.