The success of SOUNZ, the Centre for New Zealand Music, would seem to suggest that New Zealand notes are all the global rage. Scilla Askew , Executive Director of SOUNZ, says the organisation, which receives annual funding from Creative New Zealand, has been inundated with enquiries about music by New Zealand composers via its website, indicating worldwide interest. ‘Overseas musicians are eager to perform New Zealand music and music fans are keen to buy whatever New Zealand music CDs are available,’ says Askew. Importantly, the audience is seeking domestic voices that speak to New Zealand culture. ‘They’re wanting music created by New Zealanders, not New Zealand performers playing the classics,’ adds Askew. SOUNZ undertakes various projects to promote music by New Zealand composers overseas, in line with its vision: 'Created in New Zealand, Heard around the World!' One such project is the SOUNZfine series of promotional CDs. Five hundred copies of Volume V, featuring works by New Zealand women composers, will be sent to broadcasters in New Zealand and throughout the world this week. The previous four volumes have been broadcast in more than 20 countries, including Australia, Estonia and the United States. In Germany and Portugal, radio stations have made entire series featuring music by New Zealand composers. The Portuguese programmes are to air in June this year. Overseas broadcasts have resulted in an increase in enquiries at SOUNZ from performers keen to play New Zealand music in countries as far away as Finland. There have also been CD sales in countries such as South Africa, the United States and Australia. The Centre has also worked with overseas festivals to promote and feature New Zealand music, which has been especially successful in Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands. ‘Our composers have limited access to international publishers and record companies, which makes projects such as SOUNZfine and working with festivals all the more vital’, says Askew. With the current hunger for the musical voice of New Zealand’s, opportunities for composers and demand for their work is only likely to increase. For further information, CLICK HERE.