Youth Orchestra Waikato
GIVING YOUNG PEOPLE A SENSE OF BELONGING & ACHIEVEMENT, AND BUILDING PATHWAYS TO FUTURE MUSICAL SUCCESS
About Youth Orchestra Waikato
Youth Orchestra Waikato has an expert team of tutors who are involved in rehearsals and sectional workshops
The orchestra meets on Friday nights during the term at the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato
Each year there is a camp, a schools tour and three concerts
Youth orchestra musicians can take part in in other Orchestras Central activity as appropriate, and attend other Orchestras Central events
As at February 2024 we are still interested in receiving auditions for oboe, bassoon, horn, violin (grade 8 or above), viola and double bass
For more information
Simon Brew
Conductor, Youth Orchestra Waikato
Simon Brew is a conductor, classical saxophonist, and arts manager who graduated from the Artez Conservatorium, the Netherlands, in 2010 with a Masters degree in classical saxophone under Johan van der Linden. Prior to this he gained his Honours degree (1st class) from Massey University, New Zealand, under Debbie Rawson.
He has been a contract player for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Auckland Philharmonia and the Netherlands Blazers Ensemble. Simon has toured New Zealand with chamber ensembles Saxcess and Tango Virtuosi including tours for Chamber Music New Zealand. Simon has been principal saxophone for the Central Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Director of Music of the Royal New Zealand Airforce Band and Music Director of the Wellington Youth Sinfonietta.
More recently he held the position of Education Manager for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Simon is now based in the Waikato combining a busy work portfolio as General Manager of the Cambridge Town Hall, Conductor of Youth Orchestra Waikato alongside the occasional saxophone gig.
Catherine Polglase
Artistic Manager, Orchestras Central Trust
Associate Conductor and String Tutor, Youth Orchestra Waikato
Conductor, Rusty Player Orchestra
Catherine Polglase is a freelance violinist, Suzuki violin teacher and conductor. She studied modern and baroque violin completing a Bachelor of Arts (Music and History) and Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) at University of Auckland. Catherine studied conducting under Karyn Gryls, Rita Paczian and Chad Davenport while teaching in classroom, directing and conducting a range of music ensembles and orchestras in four large Auckland Music Departments from 1994 to 2003.
Since moving to Hamilton Catherine has performed on modern and baroque violin with NZ Barok, Opus and Vox Barok. In 2017 she was selected to be part of CMNZ Nelson Bach Residency, working with Julliard415 under Maasaki Suzuki.
