Kids Fly High With the APO

Families are encouraged to take their seats and fasten their seatbelts for the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s NZCT PhilharMania! concerts that this year have the theme ‘The Wonder of Flight’.

The NZCT PhilharMania! concerts are aimed at children aged 6 to 12 and their families and will take place at the Aotea Centre, THE EDGE at 11.30am and 1pm on Sunday 28 October.

All of the works being performed follow the flight theme, bringing together classical composers such as Mozart, Stravinsky and Saint-Saens with contemporary composers such as Vaughan Williams, John Williams – whose music from Harry Potter, Superman and Star Wars movies features – and New Zealand composers Dylan Lardelli and Philip Norman. Young Massey composer, Wesley Webb, also has his composition L’Aeroporto, featured.

In addition to the one-hour concerts – that will feature dancers from Pt Chevalier Primary School and Parnell District School – NZCT PhilharMania! includes a ‘Musical Zoo’ that enables children to “visit” with the instruments up close. The day also includes ORFF NZ Aotearoa’s annual Marimba Festival performances at 10am and 2.15pm in the Aotea Centre foyer which will feature 300 children playing 300 marimbas!

“Families coming to NZCT PhilharMania! will see and hear just why this concert has its exclamation mark!” says APO Chief Executive, Barbara Glaser. “This is an action-filled concert designed to knock kids’ socks off by providing them with a stimulating and exciting introduction to music.”

NZCT PhilharMania! concerts will be conducted by Hamish McKeich. Tickets $15 adults, $10 children (under 12) available from the APO Ticket Office Ph 623 1052 or www.apo.co.nz.