

KH Spear Scholarship
The KH Spear Scholarship is a music theatre competition sponsored by the New Plymouth Operatic Society and The Taranaki Music Theatre Trust. Held annually each November for Taranaki performers, this competition celebrates and fosters a love of singing and the dramatic arts.
Check back in July 2026 for information about KHS 2026

About
A brief history about the KH Spear Memorial Scholarship

Ken Spear served on the NPOS committee in the 1960s, with three years as President. He also stage managed for many Operatic shows.
On 10 January 1968, Ken and his family (wife Verla and children Carolyn and David) were tragically killed in a road accident. As a memorial to Ken and his family, the K.H. Spear memorial scholarship was established by the NPOS society and has been run for (most) years since.
The KH Spear Scholarship celebrates music theatre and is open to local Taranaki competitors. Participants perform songs from musicals with an emphasis on vocals and characterisation.




