From New Zealand to Downing: Meet Matthew Chanwai, our new Organ Scholar
We’d like you to meet Matthew Chanwai, who started at Downing in October as our new Organ Scholar.
Matthew, who is studying Music, has travelled from the other side of the world to be at Downing, as home is New Zealand.
Organ Scholarships in Cambridge give opportunities to talented organists to develop their skills significantly during the period of their academic studies.
We recently spoke to Matthew about his journey to Downing and how he is adjusting to life at Cambridge.
Can you tell us a bit about your background?
I live in a small city called Hamilton, in the North Island of New Zealand and have lived rurally my whole life. I was fortunate enough to attend Southwell School for eight years before moving to St Paul’s Collegiate School for five years of secondary schooling. These years were so important for my formative musical training and I am indebted to them.
I am very lucky to have two older sisters, Jess and Victoria, and two awesome parents. Some of my favourite things to do in New Zealand in my free time are to go tramping (hiking) and to spend time outdoors in the bush and nature, play golf or tennis, relax at the beach with friends and family, and watch rugby!
When did you learn to play the organ?
I started playing the organ six years ago. St Paul’s Collegiate School has an awesome organ scholarship programme where I got to have free organ tuition from Dr Philip Smith (Organist at Auckland Holy Trinity Cathedral). The main part of the organ scholarship was accompanying the school and choir. As well as this, I occasionally played at St Peter’s Cathedral in Hamilton (Dr Rachael Griffiths-Hughes) and at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Auckland.
New Zealand is a very long way away from Downing! How did you find out about our Organ Scholarship?
It is very far away, over twenty-four hours of travel! No doubt, every organist has heard of the Organ Scholarships at Cambridge Colleges, but it was my old Director of Music at St Paul’s Collegiate School who fuelled this idea for me. He moved to England to teach at a secondary school and had a pupil gain an organ scholarship to another Cambridge College, so he proposed this idea to me.
Had you visited Downing before starting here in October?
I had my central organ audition at Downing College for the organ trials in 2023 so had visited prior. I was very impressed with the open and spacious green spaces, something which reminds me of New Zealand. A lot of other colleges feel claustrophobic, so this was a nice change.
What does being an Organ Scholar entail?
The unique part of Downing is that the Organ Scholars are mostly tasked with completing the daily running of the choir. Some tasks that I complete with Dominic Remedios (the Senior Organ Scholar) are deciding what music the choir performs, organising the music library, planning cathedral visits and special concerts, coordinating the choir tour, taking choir rehearsal, conducting the choir and playing the organ! We are very fortunate to be well supported and mentored by the Director of Music, Louisa Denby and Ambassador for Music, Martin Baker.
Do you play any other instruments?
Cello is actually my first instrument and I started playing that when I was two years old. I play in lots of orchestras including the New Zealand Youth Orchestra and Opus Orchestra. I have also played lots of chamber music around New Zealand. I also played piano briefly before moving to the organ.
How much practice do you have to put in each week?
It changes every week, depending on if I am conducting or playing the organ for our Sunday evensong and whether we have Thursday Compline, which happens twice a term. I also practice more if we have special services coming up such as the Advent Carol Services in December.
I have to also make sure I find time to practice the cello! Usually, I will be practicing around six to ten hours a week on the organ.
What aspect of Downing life have you enjoyed the most so far?
I have loved the social aspect of Downing College and the community feel. You always bump into someone you know, and it seems like a tight-knit circle! The luscious green spaces and the autumn leaves have been beautiful. Most importantly it is the passionate people that make Downing College special.
How are you finding being so far away from home?
It has been a really big change and move over, but I feel settled now with Downing College as my new home! It is definitely both exciting and nerve-wracking moving to a new country and living by yourself, but I would highly recommend it! Moving to a new environment (that is a bigger city) has its challenges but I have already learnt so much and gained invaluable skills.
What are you looking forward to over the next few months?
I love spending time with friends at either the Downing Bar, Butterfield Café or the Dining Hall. I also enjoy walking and running around Cambridge, the buildings are beautiful with so much history - not something you get in New Zealand! In December, I am really looking forward to the Advent Carol Service with the choir in London and then flying home the next day to New Zealand! It is going to be summer in New Zealand when I get back, so I am excited for some proper weather at the beach and for our great walk of the Queen Charlotte track of New Zealand.
Published 28 November 2024