June 22, 2019
Congratulations to Celia Stewart on being made a Member of New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for her outstanding services to Music Education over many years.
For services to music education
Mrs Celia Stewart has contributed to music education in the Canterbury region and nationally for more than 40 years.
Mrs Stewart assumed a paid position as Music Director of the Christchurch School of Music in 2012. Under her leadership, the School of Music has recovered from significant financial difficulties after the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes and now provides music lessons, ensembles and concerts to hundreds of people each year. She has also helped to maintain the Christchurch Big Band Festival and is particularly active in raising the necessary funding. She continues to serve on the Music Education Canterbury executive and is the co-music director of more than 1,200 students who compete in the Strum, Strike and Blow festival. She was Chair of the Music Education New Zealand Aotearoa board from 2013 to 2015. She is recognised for the resources that she has written for the Ministry of Education and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. She has often run workshops and has supported schools in their music programmes on a voluntary basis. Mrs Stewart is also involved in her community as a trustee of The Muse and Secretary of the Christchurch Jazz Foundation Trust.
