School Visits

NZSO could come to your school – for FREE!

Every year groups of musicians from the NZSO visits hundreds of schools across the country bringing students a first-hand, ‘up close and personal’ experience of orchestral instruments.

This year we could come to your school! Your school and students will benefit immensely from these unique visits. These visits are delivered free of charge, at no cost to the participants or the school.

To register your interest in receiving a visit by members of the NZSO email musicforschools@nzso.co.nz

Case Studies:

Gendie Jury Rotary Education Award: Every year, players from the NZSO visit a special needs schools in the Auckland region to give bespoke performances to the students and their carers. The response they receive is immediate and exuberant.

“It is such a gift to be able to share our music with these children. Many of them have limited motor skills and communication skills but you can see that music speaks to them. There are moments, like when a beautiful melody is being played, that they are still and all is peaceful, and then the next moment a fun rhythm kicks in on the percussion and they are all dancing and waving!”
Roger Brown, NZSO cellist

These visits are made possible by the generous support of Gendie Jury and the NZSO Foundation.

Percussion Passion: In October 2009 the percussion section of the NZSO was joined by Brazilian percussionist Ney Rosauro and delivered a series of loud, fast paced performances to high schools in the Wellington region. After the NZSO percussion section opened the show with Cook Island drumming, the students went onto learn about the difference between Western music and Latin American rhythms. One of the shows ended with a spontaneous conga line around the school hall to an infectious Samba beat!

North Wellington Primary Schools Orchestral Workshop: In August 2011, primary and intermediate schools from throughout the north Wellington region joined members of the NZSO in an interactive orchestral workshop. The presentation was not only a chance for the students to get to know a range of classical music but also, through demonstrations, anecdotes and performances, to experience up close what makes a musician tick. It was most certainly the highlight of the event – a real celebration of music!