Auckland Wind Orchestra to Give Rare All-NZ Concer

IN BRIEF, FOR COMMUNITY DIARY LISTINGS

The Auckland Wind Orchestra presents a programme of New Zealand music at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre in Epsom. Peter Thomas conducts. Tickets are $15 or, for students and seniors, $10. The concert starts at 7.30pm on Friday 1st July. The theatre is located near the Southern Motorway at the corner of Gillies Ave and Silver Rd.

IN FULL

Auckland Wind Orchestra to Give Rare All-NZ Concert

The Auckland Wind Orchestra is to present a programme comprised solely of music by New Zealand composers, a rare event for either professional or amateur ensembles. The orchestra’s conductor, Peter Thomas says such concerts are crucial to promote the development of local music.

“New Zealand should be proud of its place in the world of new music,” says Thomas. “It has taken much time and campaigning to change the attitudes towards local music in the contemporary scene, but with events like New Zealand Music Month and the international success of performers such as Bic Runga and the Finn brothers, things are looking very rosy.”

Thomas adds that the ‘art’ music scene has had recent overseas success with the Olympic performances of the music of John Psathas. “It is rewarding and exciting to be part of this development and to be able to put together a programme made up entirely of New Zealand music.”

The Auckland Wind Orchestra opens its concert with a typically energetic Psathas fanfare. To follow the exciting curtain raiser, Thomas has carefully selected a mix of works by established and up-and-coming composers as well as adding a few well-known lighter pieces and kiwi pop classics.

The concert is to be staged at the Raye Freedman Arts Centre, a recently-opened venue located at Epsom Girls Grammar School on Gillies Avenue. One of the school’s choirs, Adora Voce will make a guest appearance with its conductor, Jeni Little. The Auckland Wind Orchestra also welcomes to the stage two of the school’s students, Megan Shackell and Felicity Sievers. Accompanied by the orchestra, they will sing a selection of iconic kiwi songs.

A wind orchestra differs from a conventional orchestra in that sections of flutes and clarinets take the place of string instruments. Thomas says that wind ensembles are a growing entity in New Zealand schools. “With a greater share of composition in the music curriculum, perhaps we will see more pieces written for winds.”

The concert starts at 7.30pm on Friday 1st July. Tickets are $15 or, for seniors and students, $10 – call 021 336 063 for reservations. The nearby Southern Motorway and Gillies Avenue off-ramp makes access convenient. Parking is available on Silver Rd.

ENDS

AUCKLAND WIND ORCHESTRA BACKGROUND

The orchestra is a non-profit organisation governed by an incorporated society which was formed in 1972. The Auckland Wind Orchestra is associated with the Auckland Youth Symphonic Band, a group that performs in schools to promote interest in music and wind instruments.

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