infonews.co.nz
INDEX
CULTURE

APO Honoured by Human Rights Commission

Tuesday 21 August 2012, 12:40PM

By Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

550 views

Lui Fauolo (L) and Tamsyn Miller (R) perform at Remix the Orchestra: Full Orchestra Meets Hip-Hop. Auckland Town Hall, 31 May 2012.
Lui Fauolo (L) and Tamsyn Miller (R) perform at Remix the Orchestra: Full Orchestra Meets Hip-Hop. Auckland Town Hall, 31 May 2012. Credit: Oliver Rosser
Rap legend Ermehn performs at Remix the Orchestra: Full Orchestra Meets Hip-Hop. Auckland Town Hall, 31 May 2012.
Rap legend Ermehn performs at Remix the Orchestra: Full Orchestra Meets Hip-Hop. Auckland Town Hall, 31 May 2012. Credit: Oliver Rosser
A member of the public conducts the APO, Open Day, TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau, 25 March 2012.
A member of the public conducts the APO, Open Day, TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre, Manukau, 25 March 2012. Credit: Oliver Rosser

AUCKLAND

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) was today honoured by the Human Rights Commission, with the arts organisation receiving a New Zealand Diversity Award.

The Awards, which are bestowed annually, reward exceptional contributions to diversity in New Zealand.

Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres said the award was in recognition of the APO’s innovative cross-cultural programme, and particularly its extensive engagement with diverse young people in South Auckland.

“Only 12 organisations are recognised nationally each year for their outstanding contribution to race relations and cultural diversity. The APO was an obvious choice and is a great example for other mainstream cultural organisations to follow.”

Among its activities in South Auckland, the APO has established Remix the Orchestra, which pairs young urban musicians with members of the orchestra and hip-hop mentors. This year the APO marked the fifth anniversary of Remix with a full concert at Auckland Town Hall in front of a 1000-strong audience. The multimedia performance featured the orchestra, leading urban artists including Ermehn, Tyree and DJCXL, breakdancers, graffiti artists and graduates from previous Remix workshops.

Remix workshops take place at Otara Music Arts Centre (OMAC), where the APO also runs Sistema Aotearoa, New Zealand’s first music education and social development programme based on the famed El Sistema model. Internationally, El Sistema has been credited with a drop in youth crime, a rise in school attendance rates, and the ability to offer young people alternatives to lives of gangs and drugs. Through Sistema Aotearoa, the APO currently teaches instrument skills to more than 160 primary school-aged children.

APO Chief Executive Barbara Glaser said that she is proud of the orchestra’s achievement.

“In the 21st century, playing concerts on the main stage is only part of what an orchestra does, and it’s gratifying to know that the work we do throughout Auckland hasn’t gone unnoticed. Initiatives such as Remix can only exist with the support of the community, and the APO is honoured to receive this award because in recognising the orchestra it also acknowledges the people the orchestra serves.”