High powered duo present April midday concert

William Sun and Damon Herlihy-O'Brien will perform in Taupō on April 11.

Two accomplished University of Auckland musicians will present the April Midday Concert ensuring Taupō audiences get a sneak preview of the duo’s appearances at the 2025 Whakatipu Music Festival.

Cellist Damon Herlihy-O’Brien and pianist William Sun play a rich and dynamic programme that spans Baroque elegance, romantic lyricism, and contemporary expression.

The concert features the drama of Prokofiev, the intricate dance movements of Bach’s solo cello suites, and modern works by Mark Summer and Martin Lodge.

This will be the premier presentation of the programme in anticipation of their performances together in Queenstown in mid-April.

Entry to the 12-1pm concert, on Friday, April 11 at St Andrew’s Church is $10 (cash preferred).

 Damon, currently completing a conjoint music and science degree, was a 2024 semi-finalist in the prestigious National String Competition and his award-winning university ensemble, Kaha Trio, recently participated in a series of masterclasses with the famous Brodsky Quartet.

Alongside his rigorous classical focus and performance schedule on cello drums for the popular heavy metal band Cyanide Altar.

William, pursuing a Master of Music, specialising in piano and trumpet, has achieved notable success at piano competitions and this year received the Haydn Staples Auckland Philharmonia Piano Scholarship. He plays trumpet in the Tian Guo Marching Band, The Auckland Youth Orchestra, and The University of Auckland Symphony Orchestra.