Sound Bites September 2025

Tēnā koutou katoa, 

Welcome to a special edition of Sound Bites, celebrating the NZSO's 2026 season for schools! Be the first to discover the new and exciting interactive experiences for teachers and students happening next year, including two different schools’ concerts! 

2026 Schools' Concert: Petrushka

Step right up to the fair and discover the magical and mysterious tale of Petrushka!
Join the NZSO for an interactive concert of dazzling storytelling and powerful music, featuring Stravinsky’s Petrushka, Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain, Prokofiev’s Dance of the Knights, and an original song for students to sing!

Wellington
Thu, 04 Jun 2026, 11am – 12pm
Michael Fowler Centre

Palmerston North
Tue, 09 Jun 2026, 1pm – 2pm
The Regent on Broadway

Hastings
Thu, 11 Jun 2026, 11am – 12pm
Hastings Opera House

Cost: $5 per student/teacher. Best suited to Years 3-8, but all year groups welcome.
Booking is essential: seats are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Book early to secure your seats!

2026 Schools' Concert: The Music of Emotions

Join the NZSO on a journey through the world of feelings!
Inspired by the award-winning book How Do I Feel?, this interactive concert blends music, art, and audience participation, featuring Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee, Rossini’s William Tell Overture, and an original song for students to sing!

Christchurch
Mon, 19 Oct 2026, 11am – 12pm
Christchurch Town Hall

Dunedin
Wed, 21 Oct 2026, 1pm – 2pm
Dunedin Town Hall

Cost: $5 per student/teacher. Best suited to Years 3-8, but all year groups welcome.
Booking is essential: seats are limited and allocated on a first come, first served basis.
Book early to secure your seats!

Auckland
Sat, 17 Aug, 1.30pm - 2.30pm
Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

Creative Music Workshops - booking essential

Cost: $5 per student. Best suited to Years 3-8, but all year groups welcome.

Our Music Education Animateur engages and empowers students to compose their own musical stories in interactive workshops. These are closely linked to the NZ curriculum and allow students to create music together using our percussion instruments in a fun setting. Best of all, our Animateur can travel anywhere in the country and come to you!

Special Offer: Bookings for the 2026 school year made before Christmas will receive a 10% discount. To book a music workshop or residency, please contact NZSO Animateur Chris Lam Sam at chris.lam.sam@nzso.co.nz

Online Classroom Sessions - Free but booking essential

Have the NZSO zoom live into your classroom in 2026!

We provide online Zoom sessions where your students can learn what an orchestra is, meet NZSO musicians, and hear excerpts of great music played by your national orchestra. Keep an eye on our website for the 2026 dates.

2026 NZSO Schools Flyer 

Want to promote these NZSO experiences to your staff and colleagues? Download and print our 2026 NZSO Schools Flyer for your staffroom by clicking the button below.

For all enquiries, please contact the NZSO Education & Community Engagement Team at education@nzso.co.nz.

Nā mātou noa, nā
The Education and Community Engagement Team