What's on: Weekend of music and song

COMPETING: Declan Cudd is the only Rotorua competitor in the open aria category at the New Zealand Aria finals this weekend. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Declan Cudd will wave the Rotorua flag when he gets on stage at this weekend's prestigious New Zealand Aria competition.

Winning the sought-after title has been made even better this year with a massive boost to the prize packages. The winner will get the Dame Malvina Major Foundation Prize valued at $20,000, consisting of $5000 towards tuition or audition fees, $5000 towards entry in the McDonalds Aria in Sydney and $10,000 cash.

The bigger prize package has caught the eye of some already big names in the industry with Amitai Pati from the popular classical trio Sol3 Mio entering. Another, American Lauren Michelle, is coming to Rotorua fresh from being in the top five at the BBC Cardiff Singer of the World contest.

Guest artist for the finals concert on Sunday is Pene Pati, Amitai's brother and fellow member of Sol3 Mio.

Mr Cudd will be the only Rotorua entrant in the aria section. Now studying in Wellington, he grew up in Rotorua where he attended John Paul College and was involved in many school and local productions.

He has a Bachelor of Music majoring in classical performance voice from the New Zealand School of Music and is currently studying to obtain his Post Graduate Diploma majoring in classical performance voice.

New Zealand Aria Trust chairwoman Joanne La Grouw said entries were down this year in the other minor categories throughout today and tomorrow, but it would still be a great event for locals to attend.

The other open categories will be held in the Concert Chamber, Banquet Room and Main Theatre of the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre from 9am today and 8.30am tomorrow.

All finalists get the opportunity to perform with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra on Sunday night

It's not just the winner of the aria who will be in line for good prizes.

Second place gets a $10,000 prize package and third place gets a $5000 package. All finalists get $500.

Judges are professional classical singers, husband and wife Barry Ryan and Anke Hoeppner-Ryan from Sydney.

Entry to all other events over the weekend is $2.