Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra can trace its roots back over 100 years, and when the ‘Waikato Orchestral Society’ was formed, this became the Waikato Symphony Orchestra, and is thus one of the longest established orchestras in New Zealand. The membership of some 160 musicians comprises amateur players, music students and instrumental music teachers, drawn from the Waikato region, and encompassing players from 18 to 80, with more than ten cultures represented.
Meet the Conductor, Rupert D’Cruze.
Meet the Concertmaster, Ann Speed.
As a community-based orchestra, the principal aims of TWSO are to advance education, public understanding and appreciation of the arts through the promotion of and participation in concerts, workshops, musical performances and composition. The orchestra encourages and fosters musical activities in all forms in the community, provides an excellent opportunity for players at all levels to gain valuable experience and consistently brings high standards of performance to the public of the Waikato and beyond.
A highlight of the TWSO year is the Sunset Symphony Concert as a part of the Hamilton Gardens Arts Festival which has around 4000 attendees on ‘the lawn’, as well as the Education Concert Series for school students in years 3-8. Each year, more than 1200 children attend our three education concerts in person so they can get up close and personal with the musicians and their instruments. One of the concerts is live-streamed so that children from around the Waikato region and beyond can tune in, supported by an education pack for teachers.
The orchestra enjoys collaborations with other groups from the region as well as local and national soloists including Anna Hawkins, Bill Stoneham and Andrew Beer.
We are always looking for passionate musicians to join our orchestra!
Rehearsals are at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts on Monday nights. It’s a wonderful spot for practising as the acoustics are fantastic and the building is beautiful. There is lots of space and parking, as well as a social area (and, of course, all the chairs and instruments are stored right there so are easy to access).
Read reviews of our recent concerts.
RECENT COMMENTS:
What a wonderful diverse programme! It was exciting ,but most of all, couldn’t get over the richness of sound that hasn’t been there before especially in the strings. The cohesion and balance was a joy and the warmth that came through from the strings was heartwarming. It was a wonderful afternoon. Thank you once again
Brilliant concert!…I felt really spoilt as a mother with children in different cities to have a lovely concert to go to, and to have a chocolate! Hope Mother’s Day works out in years to come…It was so cool to look at the orchestra from a different perspective… What came across was that they looked happy to be on stage. I was also struck by what a stable group it is. Lots of the people have been playing together for a long time.
Quote from a happy player…”this concert could not have happened without heaps of work over months from each one involved. This communal cooperation and good live music make the world a better place. It is indeed a very special experience and privilege for me to be involved with and know TWSO’s dedicated, hard working group of musicians and staff”
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