Tauranga Girls' College student Soomin Kim is ‘honoured' and ‘grateful' to be the first ever winner of the inaugural 2015 Rising Stars Composition Competition.

Run by the Bay of Plenty Symphonia, the Year 12 student was one of four young musicians from the region to submit an original composition written specifically for a full symphony orchestra.

Tauranga Girls' College student Soomin Kim has been announced as the Bay of Plenty Symphonia's inaugural 2015 2015 Rising Stars Composition Competition winner with her piece ‘Warmth of Passion'. Photo: Supplied

Soomin's composition ‘Warmth of Passion' was judge by a jury consisting of prominent New Zealand composers Michael Norris, Alex Taylor and Martin Lodge.

'I feel very honoured and thrilled that my piece was selected,” says Soomin. 'I never expected to win so I am very grateful to the judges.

'It was very challenging, but I loved the process and it was a very good opportunity to learn things.

'I just can't wait to hear my piece being played by the Symphonia in September, the concert is the day after my birthday so it will make it even more special.”

Each contestants wrote a short piece for a full symphony orchestra and were judged against a number of criteria including: form, melodic and harmonic invention and effective use of instruments.

The jury were impressed with the overall quality of the four submissions, and gave constructive feedback to all of them.

Soomin's winning piece was described as ‘sophisticated', ‘harmonically adventurous', with ‘bold but well considered orchestration', and showed a ‘real flair for orchestral writing'.

'When I heard their feedback I felt so grateful they thought that way, I think they saw what I intended to express with my piece.”

Soomin Kim says her foray into music started with the piano and now includes mallet percussive instruments like the xylophone and glockenspiel. Photo: Supplied

‘Warmth of Passion' was Soomin's first ever attempt at composing for a full orchestra and says it took roughly about a month for her to write.

She describes her piece as 'pretty dramatic” with a strong and powerful start before the music evolves into a softer and more intricate sound.

'There's a good balance of instruments used across the whole piece,” continues Soomin. 'Some instruments are not used throughout the whole piece, like glockenspiel and harp which I love a lot, but are there to colour the piece.”

Soomin will now prepare individual musical parts of her work for the players so her winning piece can be rehearsed by Bay of Plenty Symphonia.

It will then be performed at the Rising Stars concert on Friday, September 5, at Graham Young Youth Theatre at Tauranga Boys College.

Symphonia president Maggie Gething says this concert will also feature performances by the finalists of the Rising Stars Concerto Competition, which will be judged by another prestigious panel.

'While the adjudicators consider their verdict, the audience will be entertained by violinist Anna Lee, winner of the 2013 Rising Stars Concerto Competition.

'The concert will conclude with the presentation of prizes to both winners by the Mayor of Tauranga Stuart Crosby.”

2015 RISING STARS COMPOSITION JUDGING PANEL:

• Michael Norris: New Zealand School of Music Senior Lecturer and this the 2015 SOUNZ Contemporary Award winner which is the main composition prize in New Zealand.
• Alex Taylor: the youngest ever winner of the SOUNZ Contemporary Award.
• Martin Lodge: Waikato University Associate Professor and Head of Composition.