Promoters of a plan to turn composer Douglas Lilburn's former Wellington home into this country's first residence for composers need to raise $275,000 in the next six weeks.
The job of raising the purchase price for the home has been boosted by a grant of $150,000 from the Lotteries environment and heritage committee, Lilburn Residence Trust chairman Professor Les Holborow said yesterday. The remaining $275,000 needed before the end of July in order to complete the purchase would have to be raised through individual donations and contributions from other trusts or foundations.
"We have had a long and nervous wait for our offer to be accepted," he said.
Lilburn, considered by many New Zealand's greatest composer, lived in the Thorndon house from 1959 until his death aged 85 in 2001, and the property is being bought from the executors of his estate.
Proceeds from the sale are going to the Lilburn Trust, set up by the composer in 1984 to preserve and promote New Zealand music.
Professor Holborow said anyone who donated $1000 or more would have his or her name listed on a plaque at the house and receive a CD of Lilburn's piano music played by his close friend and colleague Margaret Nielsen.
Gillian Whitehead, NZ School of Music-Creative NZ Composer in Residence for 2005-2006, is due to move into the house in mid-August.
The house is in a quiet part of the inner-city suburb.
- NZPA
$275,000 needed allegro to buy composer's house
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