Distinction By Design
A Masterclass and Workshop opportunity to ensure you get the most from your exam experience!
with Alex Morton
Distinction By Design
Distinction By Design
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Sunday 22 March 2026
Theosophical Hall
72 Kilmore Street, Christchurch
Workshop | 10:00 – 10:45am
Masterclass | 11:00am – 1pm
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This program is designed to reduce performance stress and maximise progress ensuring participants are able to perform to the best of their ability in their music exams.
This is achieved by providing expert feedback, invaluable performance experience, and a clear pathway for making rapid and reliable progress in the practice room.
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We welcome musicians of all ages and abilities — beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
Regardless of your musical background, if you’re sitting a music exam then this opportunity is for you!
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Participants will:
Develop fundamental practice skills to ensure rapid and reliable progress.
Learn techniques to build confidence and focus for performance.
Gain experience and the ability to play with beauty, grace, and ease.
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Masterclass - students have the opportunity to perform in front of their peers and receive targeted and personalised feedback. We are holding this event in the same venue as the Trinity exams so students gain familiarity and experience in the space.
Workshop - a 45-minute exploration of how to maximise progress in the practice room and cultivate confidence both on and off the stage.
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$60 Performer Ticket
Includes a 20-minute slot in one of the masterclasses + access to the workshop. Performers are welcome to purchase two 20-minute slots if they’re sitting a higher grade exam with longer repertoire. Performers are welcome to bring along an accompanist at their own cost.
$20 Observer Ticket
Observers are welcome to attend both the Masterclasses and Workshop
Developing as a musician on any instrument is a major investment of time, energy, and money.
Our main goal with Distinction By Design is to equip participants – regardless of level – with the skills and knowledge required to ensure rapid and reliable progress and to perform with confidence.
Meet Alex
Alex Morton is a professional horn player and performance coach with a proven track record of helping musicians achieve performance success.
Alex’s clients have won orchestral jobs, music scholarships, and achieved their performance goals with excellence and ease.
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“I WON THE JOB!!!!!!! I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting me through this audition journey, Alex! You changed my mindset in the most positive way and I couldn’t have done this without your insights, your help, and dedication. You made such a big impact on my trajectory from the other side of the globe.”
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“I don't want to be too cheesy, but it's been kind of life changing. I used to feel quite guilty for not practicing, but after implementing your mindset and practice methodology, not only have I found that I'm actually improving faster, but I'm able to engage with and enjoy life outside of practice more too. I feel like I've been released to enjoy everything in life now and not just be a practice machine.”
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“As a musician, I was always my own worst enemy. I felt like I was constantly making the same mistakes with no improvement and didn’t have nay clear outcomes or goals in mind. Alex has not only provided the practical skills to play better but also the tools to create a healthy and motivated mindset. Because of this, I am learning to schedule quality and focused practice sessions, trusting the process, and finally enjoying my art.”
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“Our daughter was offered three music scholarships from Rangi Ruru, St Andrews and St Margaret.
We are so proud of her and of course we so appreciate of your help!” -
“Hi Alex, just a quick update to let you know that our son was successful with his Cashmere Scholarship application. He is one happy lad!
He has been awarded an Excellence Scholarship for Performing Arts at Cashmere.
Thank you for your guidance and support.”
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“I just wanted to let you know that our son was successful in achieving a music scholarship to St Andrew’s!
He is very excited to be going there.
Thanks so much for your awesome workshop and masterclass - he got heaps out of it, not only in relation to the scholarship audition but for his ongoing musicianship.”