Pieta Hextall

Christchurch-based Pieta Hextall has forged a successful career as a composer, performer and teacher. A graduate of the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington, she has received a number of prizes for her compositions that are written principally for chamber music (particularly wind ensembles) and orchestra, and which have been work-shopped and performed in Australia and New Zealand. She was awarded a Masters of Music in Composition in 2012 and a Masters of Teaching & Learning in Inclusive Education in 2018. This year she is working towards a Bachelor of Digital Screen with Honours at the University of Canterbury.

Pieta is an active composer with a number of exciting projects coming up this year. She has previously has works recorded by NZSO, CSO, Orchestra Wellington, Auckland Phil, NZSQ, and more. Pieta is a SOUNZ composer and is currently writing for Woodcut Music.

Pieta currently runs a private teaching studio as well as teaching at the Christchurch School of Music. She was the Director of Music at Chisnallwood Intermediate School 2022-24, running a busy music department. This included directing: rock bands, orchestra, concert band, string ensemble, brass ensemble, chamber music, marimba ensemble, recorder group, ukulele group, choir, computer music, songwriting class, composition club, & theory club. As well as running the day to day administration of a busy music department including event management & organisation and marketing.

Pieta is the incoming president of the Composers’ Association of New Zealand & a current committee member of Music Education Canterbury. Pieta was awarded the Vernon Griffith Award for Musical Leadership by the University of Canterbury in 2020 for her services in the community.