Our purpose
To provide orchestral experiences in the heart of the North Island | Te tuku i ngā wheako rāngai puoro i te iho o Te Ika-a-Māui.
Our vision
Lives will be enriched by making orchestral and ensemble music accessible and deeply embedded in the region’s cultural landscape—fostering connection, supporting wellbeing, and expanding opportunities for musical education and participation.
We seek to:
Empower people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with music making at any level and to enable access to the myriads of wellbeing benefits that are fundamental to a thriving population.
Actively champion diverse musical pathways in our ever-changing world and proudly provide development and collaborative performance opportunities fit for 21st century music making.
Prioritise partnership and collaborations to amplify our reach, enabling music-makers and music-lovers to experience high quality orchestral experiences in the heart of the North Island.
We do more than deliver great performances - we grow player participation and encourage community engagement through our concerts, programmes, and education initiatives.
Orchestras Central supports over 300 musicians, both community players and contracted professionals,
and delivers more than 30 events each year in the Waikato region.
We can only do this with the support of our funders and donors,
and through generous provisions of services and skills.
With grateful thanks to our strategic partner the University of Waikato, our home is at the
Gallagher Academy of the Performing Arts.
Our core funder is Creative New Zealand, and Trust Waikato and WEL Energy Trust are our major local funders.
We are also incredibly grateful for the ongoing support and enthusiasm of the group of passionate
volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
Every year more than 10,000 people enjoy connecting with our orchestras!
