Sponsors
Milverton Trust
Evelyn Rawlins Arts Trust
Objectives
Orchestras
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.
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
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
Our hope is that concerts by the Youth Orchestra and the Sinfonia can still go ahead over the remainder of 2020 but we are keeping a watchful eye on the alert levels!
The October concert (date and venue to be announced) will be given by the Manawatu Youth Orchestra and will include movements from pieces featuring violin and cello soloists.
The Sinfonia's November concert, if it goes ahead, will feature conductor Martin Riseley with brilliant young violin soloist Nickolas Majic.
The Sinfonia plans to hold what was to be this year's May concert with Peter van Drimmelen (conductor) and Emma Minchin (flautist) in May 2021.
Later in 2021 the Sinfonia hopes to do a celebration of Beethoven's 250th, featuring the Emperor concerto played and conducted by Andrew Atkins, along with some of the most memorable movements from four of Beethoven's symphonies. (This might seem like a belated celebration but not to worry, Beethoven will still be 250!)
Click here for details on how to join the Manawatu Youth Orchestra or the Manawatu Sinfonia.