Celebrating New Zealand Music Month with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
Thursday 24 April 2008, 4:17PM
By Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
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The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra is celebrating New Zealand Music Month with a series of events to develop and showcase exciting home-grown talent, including New Zealand composer Gareth Farr’s world premiere of a major symphonic work titled Ex Stasis.
Performed as part of the Moments of Discovery concert on 15 May, Ex Stasis will be conducted by leading New Zealand musician Tecwyn Evans, and features the vocal talents of prominent Maori performers Deborah Wai Kapohe, George Henare and Mere Boynton.
Marking New Zealand Music Month, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra also hosts National Percussion Day at Auckland’s Raye Freedman Centre on Friday 9 May. This hands-on, full-day of eight workshops includes drum maintenance, rock drumming, jazz, African drums, marimbas and samba.
The next Vivaldi is given their opportunity to shine at the MusicWorks Performers’ Competition. This competition to find New Zealand’s top secondary-school soloist sees finalists performing with the St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra. The winner receives a cash prize and the opportunity to play with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.
Pre-schoolers conduct their own orchestra at the APO 4 Kids concerts on 10 and 17 May. These highly interactive concerts allow children to the experience first-hand the music and instruments of an orchestra in a fun, family-friendly setting.
On 16 May the Discover New Zealand Music concert sees the APO play for over 1500 students in a series of performances to showcase home-grown orchestral talent. The concerts feature the works of famous local composers, including Gareth Farr, John Psathas and Dorothy Buchanan. Each composer will introduce their own piece, as well as answer questions by students.
The APO also celebrates New Zealand Music Month with a series of free, family-orientated ensemble concerts throughout the City of Sails. A full list of the APO’s free concerts can be found at www.apo.co.nz.
“New Zealand is a nation of exceptional talent, and the APO is proud to foster this talent through its education programme and concerts,” says Barbara Glaser, the orchestra’s Chief Executive. “The quality of works like Gareth Farr’s Ex Stasis secures the future of New Zealand music in an international arena, and that’s a future that the APO is committed to enriching whole-heartedly.”
Single tickets (limited number still available) to Moments of Discovery, featuring Ex Stasis, (from $20-$110) are available from Ticketek, Ph 09 307 5139, www.ticketek.co.nz.
Tickets to National Percussion Day, MusicWorks Performers’ Competition and APO 4 Kids are available from the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra ticketing office, Ph 09 623 1052 or online at www.apo.co.nz.
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s NZ Music Month Events:
Friday 9 May, 10am
National Percussion Day
Raye Freedman Arts Centre, Epsom
Saturday 10 May, 12.30pm & 2pm
APO 4 Kids
Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna
Monday 12 May, 8pm
MusicWorks Performers’ Competition
Raye Freedman Arts Centre, Epsom
Thursday 15 May, 8pm
Moments of Discovery - APN News & Media Premier Series Concert 4
Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE®
Saturday 17 May, 10.30am & 12pm
APO 4 Kids
Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE®
APO’s Free NZ Music Month Concerts
A full list is available at www.apo.co.nz