Orchestras Central

11/05/2026

A couple of highlights from The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber last Sunday.

What a stunning concert and a fabulous collaboration with Hamilton Operatic Society at the BNZ Theatre. What was your highlight?

📸: Mark Hamilton

10/05/2026

A huge thank you to Mark Hamilton for taking these wonderful shots of The Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber!

What a stunning concert. What was your highlight?

28/04/2026

The four birds remembered in Janet Jennings’ ‘The Lost Birds of Aoteaora’ string quartet represent the 53 (and probably more) species driven to extinction over recent centuries. The music is offered as both a lament for the lost birds and, hopefully, a wake-up call to protect over 70 further species that are currently threatened, endangered and vulnerable.

The work also references the plaintive plainchant setting of the mediaeval hymn known as ‘Pange lingua’. The text of the hymn, attributed to Saint Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), was written for the feast of Corpus Christi and is also sung on Maundy Thursday.

What a stunning piece! Performed by Lara Hall and Harris Leung (violins), Lisa Lynch (viola) and Martin Griffiths (cello) as part of Flights of Fancy: Taonga of the Sky - Birdsong & Baroque.

2 likes. "JANET JENNINGS: The Lost Birds of Aotearoa"

13/04/2026

Imagine having a piece of music stuck in your head for 40 years. Now what if that piece of music was just one short bar, namely the second bar of Mozart’s Symphony no. 25?

Bjørn Arntsen's ‘Mārū’, is an attempt at exorcising that earworm, via a rousing responsorial shakedown, digging a new foundation and building a structure to support a new language.

The many classical ornaments surrounding the earworm remain, but the structure is replaced with something hopefully bold and modern. Harmonically, new chords both thicken and undermine the existing progressions, adding allusions to music both before and after Mozart’s time. The end-result is a repetitive, methodically obsessive piece.

Performed by OCT Ensemble, leader Lara Hall, with Rachael Griffiths-Hughes (harpsichord) as part of last year's Flights of Fancy: Taonga of the Sky - Birdsong & Baroque. Te Whare Taapere Iti, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts and Gallery.

Filmed and edited by Chris Watson for SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music. Film funded by NZ On Air.

Mārū - (adjective / modifier) be gentle, low-pitched and calm.Imagine having a piece of music stuck in your head for 40 years. Now what if that piece of musi...

07/04/2026

Anthony Ritchie's enchanting ‘Tui’ wonderfully performed by Jacqui McPherson.

This stunning piece is based on calls from birds, recorded in Dunedin in 2003 by University student Vicki Payne. The composer helped to transcribe some calls, and was inspired to draw on these when flutist Bridget Douglas commissioned him to write a short piece. The work uses a variety of special effects, influenced to some degree by the Tui. 🐦

Were you lucky enough to attend the 'Flights of Fancy: Taonga of the Sky' concert last year for Central Celebrates?

Performed at Te Whare Taapere Iti, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts and Gallery.

Audio recorded by Bjørn Arntsen. Filmed and edited by Chris Watson for SOUNZ Centre for New Zealand Music.

‘Tui’ is based on calls from birds, recorded in Dunedin in 2003 by University student Vicki Payne. The composer helped to transcribe some calls, and was insp...

20/03/2026

Are you ready to take your orchestral playing to the next level? We have two holiday programmes scheduled this year and we'd love you to join in the fun!

Join YOW Academy’s orchestral holiday programme with specialist music educator and conductor Danny Collins. This fun two-day holiday programme is for students Grade 3 – Grade 6 who play orchestral instruments. Students will enjoy music-making and thrive in a supportive and fun learning environment with tuākana leaders playing alongside their sections and leading fun music games and social time.

For the April sessions we will be playing a mix of traditional and modern pieces, with Pachelbel's Canon in D, Gliere's Russian Sallors' Dance and Selections from How to Train Your Dragon. With a mix of challenging and easier pieces there is something for everyone. Links to the music are available now and will be sent once your registration is received.

Early bird registrations close 25 March 2026.

🗓 13 - 14 April 2026. 9am - 3pm
📍Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato

Learn more about YOW Academy and register today:
https://www.orchestras.org.nz/yow-academy-april-2026/

19/03/2026

A magical morning for little ones! 💫

Bring your mokopuna or tamariki for a delightful concert experience at the Cambridge Autumn Festival.

Windy’s World Tour: The Adventures of Windy the Explorer is a musical adventure celebrating the magic of the wind family — flute, oboe, clarinet and bassoon.

Follow Windy, a curious little breeze with a big dream, as he travels the world, meeting new sounds and discovering how music comes to life. 💨

Perfect for little explorers and music lovers.

🗓️ Saturday 28 March, 10am-11am
📍 Cambridge Town Hall

Tickets available at the link below or grab them at the door before the show.

https://www.orchestras.org.nz/windys-world-tour/

A delightful concert experience for audiences of all ages. Embark on a musical adventure celebrating the magic of wind instruments.

18/03/2026

👀 Get ready, kids (and kids at heart)! ✨
There’s a whole lot of fun waiting at the festival - hands-on activities, colourful creations, a fun concert, and plenty to spark big imaginations. Come ready to play, make, and explore!

CambridgeBricktopia2026 this Sat 21st Resthaven Village Centre - a fabulous day by Miriam at Cy-Co The Cycle Coffee Company Entry: koha
Windy's World Tour, a kid-friendly concert by Orchestras Central Sat 28th Cambridge Town Hall - $10, door sales available 🎵
Dice & Districts tabletop role-playing games, St Andrew's Church Hall, Sat 28th, $5 at the door.
Te Awa Lifecare Main Street Carnival downtown this Sun 22nd - a FREE, colourful, fun and exciting Carnival Day. Facepainting & giant bubbles in Victoria Square and a Kids Zone and sugar art in Empire Street, plus over 200 performers and 60 art stalls. 🍂🎨