Local musician Liz Conway has written a unique solo piano composition thanks to a $4000 Creative New Zealand communities grant, distributed by Central Otago District Council.

The 12-minute-long piano piece required hundreds of hours of work to write, record and mix, all completed in Liz’s Alexandra home-based music studio. 

Liz played the piece live on Saturday night to an audience of about 200 people at the premiere of the short film Rangi Takō / Clear Skies for the opening of Winterstellar 2024 in Alexandra’s Memorial Theatre.

The idea for the film and soundtrack came by chance when Winterstellar Charitable Trust board chief executive Andy Davey was listening to Liz play at Alexandra’s Central Stories for Mental Health Awareness Week last year.

Andy connected with Liz and the idea was born to select the best astrophotography images, make a film and write accompanying music to tell the story of what’s happening in the night sky.

Liz said it has been a collaborative effort and a huge learning curve.

“We have both figured it out as we’ve gone along.

“It’s four movements and it is a challenge to make it interesting for that length of time for people . . . I think I’ve done it.

“I feel a sense of excitement to show everyone what I’ve been working on”.

Liz at the piano on Saturday evening. PHOTO: The Central App

Liz said she feels inspired living in Central.  

“How lucky are we to live in one of the small pockets of spaces in our world where we can see auroras and the Milky Way at the same time?”

The Central App asked about her writing process and how it came together.

“I’d see these things, beautiful images . . . some themes [emerged], and it was as if the whole screen was singing to me.”

A part of Liz’s single released last year ‘Secrets of the River’ is included in the film soundtrack.

Liz hopes the short film will be shown in cinemas in Central regularly to highlight the uniqueness of the area.

“I’m fascinated to see how people find it.”

The Winterstellar 2024 exhibition shows in Arrowtown first, and comes to Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery in August. 

In May the Aurora Australis visible around Central was captured by many residents and visitors. Read more: Southern Lights dazzle Central

Read more: An Alexandra woman’s grand dream