Your Community

Orchestra

Manawatu Sinfonia & Youth Orchestra

Objectives

• To foster in young musicians a life-long interest in orchestral music
• To provide an opportunity for members to develop their musicianship and explore the orchestral repertoire in public performance
• To work co-operatively with other musical groups in the area and support their events
• To promote orchestral music within the community 
• To provide affordable family concerts in Palmerston North 

Orchestras

• Manawatu Youth Orchestra 
• Conductor: Current resident conductor Isaac Henderson

Membership of the Manawatu Youth Orchestra averages around 50 players, with a good balance of sections. We welcome new players in all sections, though there may occasionally be limits in the woodwind section. Auditions are held in February each year, for more information see our 'Join Us' page. We perform two main concerts a year and also a variety of charity and schools events. 

• Manawatu Sinfonia 
• Conductor: No resident conductor. Recent guest conductors have included members of the NZSO and NZ School of Music.

We perform three or four main concerts a year, with a variety of styles to suit a range of audiences and provide interest and challenge to the players. Concerts often feature a professional soloist in a concerto and a large-scale symphony. We sometimes invite guest players to augment our numbers and fill any gaps in instrumentation.  

Committee

Patron: Morva Croxson

President: Jeff McNeill

Vice-Presidents: Sir Brian Elwood, Milja Albers-Pearce

Secretary: Gillian Gibb

Treasurer: Bronwyn Boddy

Librarian: Lynette Quinn

Concert Manager: Robert Elder

Other Committee Members: Gabrielle Gibb, Isaac Henderson, Emma Mill, Russell Poole

Constitution

Support and Funding

The orchestra is a registered charity which is funded from member subscriptions, concert door takings, and valued support from various organisations. Like many such organisations, we are dependent on assistance, grants, and sponsorship in order to continue to provide a quality educational and cultural service to the community. If you think that you may be able to help support what we are doing, please contact us. 

Links to other related groups

• Saturday Morning Orchestra
• Feilding Brass
• Renaissance Singers
• Manawatu Concert Band