The Apollo String Quartet will perform in Dunedin today to mark the 50th jubilee of a contest for which the group was a pioneer.
Quartet viola player and musical director Robert Tait, of Christchurch, said Chamber Music New Zealand began a contest for secondary school pupils 50 years ago.
Mr Tait (81) said he was ''overjoyed'' to be part of the celebration in Dunedin today.
The quartet, formerly known as the Lindsay Quartet, won a chamber competition in 1963, before it became open only to secondary school pupils.
''We were the precursors to the present competition celebrating its 50th - we were the pioneers,'' Mr Tait said in Dunedin yesterday.
Unavailable this week are three members of the original quartet - a Whangarei violinist, who has an arm injury, and two members who lived in Wellington and had work commitments.
''They would have loved to participate, but it wasn't practical and they are quite happy with the present team performing on their behalf.''
Guest musicians performing in the quartet at Glenroy Auditorium at 12.30pm today are violinist Edith Wicks, of Oamaru, violinist Mike Corballis and cellist David Murray, both of Dunedin.
Entry to the concert is by donation.
Six groups will take to the stage, including the quartet which will perform Gallery Quartet, by Christchurch composer Barbara Maguire.
Performances to celebrate the competition were also held in Auckland and Wellington.
