Gemma New returns for a Mozart masterpiece and world premiere 

Conductor Gemma New returns home for a Mozart masterpiece and the world premiere of renowned Kiwi composer Lyell Cresswell’s final work.

Jupiter: Mozart and Copland in association with Summerset Retirement Villages is performed in Wellington, Hastings, Auckland and Christchurch from 19 September.

Mozart’s Symphony No. 41 Jupiter is one of his most popular symphonic creations, a “fantastic five-movement musical jigsaw” (Classic FM) that continues to surprise and delight audiences at every performance.

American music giant Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring is also one of his most loved and performed works. Originally commissioned for dance legend Martha Graham, the music evokes the pioneering spirit of early American life through the experience of a young courting couple.

Lauded New Zealand pianist Stephen De Pledge joins the Orchestra for the world premiere of Cresswell’s Third Piano Concerto. De Pledge received the score for the concerto from Cresswell just months before the composer died in 2022.

Cresswell heard in his own music a “clarity which is something to do with being in New Zealand, being quiet and nearer to nature.”

An APRA Silver Scroll winner for his contribution to New Zealand Music and a 2016 Arts Foundation Laureate Award recipient, Cresswell’s music has been widely performed around the world.

Enjoy In Conversation with Gemma New in Hastings & Christchurch

NZSO Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor Gemma New’s reputation in Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world was recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours. Gemma was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music direction.

Join us ahead of Gemma’s Jupiter: Mozart & Copland concerts with the NZSO in Hastings (20 September) and Christchurch (27 September), for a unique opportunity to get to know this extraordinarily talented New Zealander.

Praised for her dynamic and engaging style, Gemma will discuss her modern approach to the world of orchestra and the trajectory of her rising career.

In Conversation is a free event but seats are limited so book now to secure a spot!

Experience a masterclass with pianist Stephen De Pledge

Acclaimed New Zealand pianist Stephen De Pledge performs the world premiere of Lyell Cresswell’s much-anticipated Third Piano Concerto with the NZSO in Jupiter: Mozart & Copland this month.

In celebration of the concerts, the NZSO Foundation and Stephen will hold masterclasses in Wellington (18 September) and Christchurch (28 September). This is a rare opportunity to enjoy one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most accomplished pianists up close as Stephen mentors aspiring young musicians.

The Wellington masterclass is from 5pm on 18 September at Hunter Council Chamber, Victoria University of Wellington Te Herenga Waka.

The Christchurch piano masterclass is from 10am, 28 September at Ron Ball Studio, Christchurch Town Hall.

The masterclasses are free. All you need to do is book via the link below, which includes more information on each session.

A night at the opera and more with NZSO Arias

Next month the NZSO presents Arias – two of Australiasia’s finest vocalists join with the orchestra to celebrate some of the most iconic music ever written for opera with performances in Wellington (24 October) and Auckland (26 October).

With the NZSO led by Venezuelan-born, Spanish conductor José Luis Gomez, and the orchestra joined by tenor Paul O’Neill and soprano Eliza Boom, this will be a hot-blooded evening of opera’s greatest hits, including arias and scenes from Puccini’s La Bohème, Madame Butterfly, Tosca, Gianni Schicchi and Turandot, Verdi’s Overture from La Forza del Destino, and more.

A special treat will be the instantly recognisable Intermezzo from Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana, which featured in the movies Raging Bull and The Godfather Part III.

If that’s not exciting enough, Arias also features the world premiere of acclaimed New Zealand composer Ross Harris’ Concerto for Orchestra.

Don’t miss this unforgettable music experience.

Buy Jupiter! Dine at Everybody Eats before your next concert

For just $30 you can enhance your NZSO concert experience with a delicious, sustainable three-course pre-concert dinner, served by Everybody Eats in Wellington. Each meal is themed to match the music programme of the NZSO concert that evening.

Pre-concert dinners are available for the NZSO concerts Jupiter (19 September) and Arias (24 October) – these events sell out fast so book your spot now.

NZSO players announce awards for aspiring young orchestral musicians

Four aspiring professional wind and brass players from Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and Ōtautahi Christchurch are the recipients of the 2024 Alex Lindsay Awards.

The recipients of the Giese Flute Grant and the Michael Monaghan Award for outstanding string playing have been awarded to two musicians from Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington. All six winners are graduates of Te Kōkī, the New Zealand School of Music at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington.

Henry Close, 24 from Auckland, is the recipient of a $3,800 Alex Lindsay Award. Henry has just moved to London to begin a Master of Arts in Horn at the Royal Academy of Music where he was awarded an entrance scholarship.

Emica Taylor, a 21-year-old flute player from Christchurch, has been awarded an Alex Lindsay Award of $2,000 towards the cost of attending the Complete Flute course in Melbourne this month. A 2023 BMus graduate of Te Kōkī – the New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University of Wellington, Emica is studying at the Australian National Academy of Music. While in Wellington, Emica was a regular guest musician with the NZSO and Orchestra Wellington, and a member of the Royal NZ Air Force Band.

Nina Noble, a 23-year-old trumpet player from Christchurch, won the $1,000 Alex Lindsay Award towards her costs studying at the Royal College of Music in London, where she begins a Master of Performance this month. Nina graduated with a BMus (Hons) from Te Kōkī, studying with Matthew Stein and Mark Carter from the NZSO. She’s been a regular guest musician with the NZSO, Orchestra Wellington and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra as well as a member of the Royal NZ Air Force Band. A member of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra since 2021, including Principal Trumpet this year, she was awarded the Alex Lindsay NYO Special Prize for outstanding performance.

A regular guest musician with the NZSO, Auckland Philharmonia and Orchestra Wellington, Sarah Rathbun, 25, from Wellington is the recipient of a $1,000 Alex Lindsay Award. She graduated with a BMus (Hons) from Te Kōkī in 2022 studying with NZSO Associate Principal Trombone, Matthew Allison. She has just completed a MMus in Orchestra Performance at the Manhattan School of Music studying with Colin Williams, Associate Principal Trombone of the New York Philharmonic. She continues her studies with him there for the next two years in their prestigious Professional Performance Diploma programme.

The Michael Monaghan Award was established in 2016 in memory of former NZSO First Violinist, who passed away in 1996. This year, 24-year-old violist, Lauren Jack, from Wellington, will use the $2,300 award towards study costs at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she will begin a MMus in this month. She has held Principal positions in NZSO National Youth Orchestra (2019-21) and is Sub-Principal violist with Orchestra Wellington as well as a regular guest musician with the NZSO.

The Giese Flute Grant, an award for a promising young flautist, was established in 2015 in memory of former NZSO Principal Flute, Richard Giese. This year the grant of $1,400 has been awarded to 23-year-old Keeson Perkins-Treacher from Wellington.

Keeson was the recipient of a 2024 Deane Orchestral Studies Scholarship towards a Master of Fine Arts in Orchestral Studies at Te Kōkī, giving him regular learning and performing opportunities with the NZSO. He completed a BMus (Hons) at the NZSM last year, studying under the NZSO’s Bridget Douglas. He has been Principal Flute and Principal Piccolo of the NZSO National Youth Orchestra for this year and plans to travel to the UK and Europe next year for further studies.

The Alex Lindsay Award, administered by players of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, supports young musicians studying with the aim of pursuing an orchestral career. The trustees of the Alex Lindsay Award also administer the Giese Flute Grant and Michael Monaghan Award.

“There was a very high standard of applicants for our awards this year, the final decisions weren't easy,” says Alex Lindsay Award Trust Chair, NZSO Principal Flautist Bridget Douglas.

“These six fine young musicians have already made a big contribution to musical life in New Zealand and we’re glad to be able to support them to continue their studies on their instruments. We hope that we'll see them all back playing professionally in New Zealand one day."”

Many previous recipients of the Alex Lindsay Award occupy positions in professional orchestras in New Zealand and overseas.

Become an NZSO Chair Sponsor

NZSO Musician’s Chair Sponsors are our greatest ambassadors, with all proceeds raised through this programme directly underpinning our artistic programme.

Gillian Clark generously sponsors NZSO Associate Principal Flute.

To be able to give to something I both love and believe in is a privilege. I love music and in New Zealand we are so fortunate to have such a stable and world-class symphony orchestra. It is something to be treasured and proud of.

Becoming a donor gives one a strong sense of connection with the orchestra; introducing you to new concepts, the musicians, the staff; it opens up the symphonic world in a new and wonderful way.

For more information about joining us, email carleen.ebbs@nzso.co.nz