Media Release
New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Heading to Huntly
13 July 2009
A group of musicians from the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) will travel to Huntly on 23 July to present two concerts to nearly 800 primary and secondary school students from the Huntly area.
The performances result from Solid Energy’s support for NZSO travelling to China to take part in last year’s Beijing Olympic Cultural Festival. The concerts were offered to Huntly students as part of Solid Energy’s ongoing support for schools in its local community.
The concerts are a first as Huntly hasn’t had the opportunity to hear musicians from the NZSO before. A performance programme has been designed especially for the occasion by an ensemble for 18 players from across the string, wind, brass and percussion sections of the NZSO to introduce young people to the different instruments and sections of the Orchestra. The programme will also look at how composers use different instruments to create a diverse variety of orchestral music including classical, contemporary and New Zealand compositions.
“Solid Energy is delighted to bring performances by members of the NZSO to Huntly,” says Craig Smith, General Manager of Solid Energy’s North Operations. “Music and live performances are important social and cultural experiences for adults and children alike.
“We are thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response from the schools to what is a unique opportunity for our local students; both performances have been over-subscribed. It is exciting to work with a group as talented and recognised at the members of the NZSO and we are pleased to support them perform locally.”
The NZSO ensemble will be welcomed to the Huntly College venue with a Powhiri and will respond with a special arrangement of the NZSO’s Waiata by NZSO trombonist, Peter Maunder.
The NZSO, founded in 1946, is the nation’s flagship orchestra. It’s 90 musicians perform over a 100 concerts nationwide each year.
