Wellington Youth Orchestras

WYO was one of the finalists in the Wellington Community Awards 2021, announced 14 July 2021. The awards are sponsored by Wellington Airport and Wellington Community Trust.

Former WYO and WYS violinist Gemma New has been named the Solti Fellow 2021. This is the biggest grant given to US conductors. Gemma has been based in the US since she went there to study conducting at the Peabody Institute, after graduating from Canterbury in music and mathematics. She was back in New Zealand late in 2020 to conduct the NZSO: https://www.nzso.co.nz/new-zealands-orchestra/news-and-media/gemma-new-conducts-the-nzso-again-with-four-streamed-performances-this-month/

The full story of the award is here: https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU2103/S00087/new-zealand-born-conductor-gemma-new-recipient-of-2021-solti-fellow.htm

The programme for the 2021 season is here. Auditions are now open – audition form under the Auditions tab. Project 1, Transatlantic, includes Barber’s Violin Concerto, Britten’s Sinfonia da Requiem, and Gershwin’s An American in Paris. Concert Saturday 15 May.

Middle C reviews the WYO Dazzle! concert.

Lex French is bringing his quartet from Canada, Code Quartet, to headline the Jazz Festival.  Top of the bill is the great Herbie Hancock. Code Quartet is just a little further down… Lex is the guy on the far left(trumpet not visible).

https://www.jazzfestival.nz/events/code-quartet/

Our famous alumna Gemma New, MD of Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra in Ontario, Canada, has recently appeared on the front cover of MUSICIAN, the American Federation of Musicians magazine. Here’s the cover:

NEWSFLASH!

Gemma New is a WYOs alumna, playing with the orchestra from the age of 12. She has gone on to build a wonderful reputation as one of the top female conductors in the world.

According to Radio New Zealand:

Gemma New would have to be one of the most exciting young conductors in the world today. The New Zealand-born musician has assisted Gustavo Dudamel, and studied the music of Mendelssohn in Leipzig with Kurt Masur.

Gemma is music director of the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra in Canada, and Resident Conductor of the St. Louis Symphony in the USA. Gemma New is back in New Zealand for concerts with the Auckland Philharmonia and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and talks to Upbeat about her growing career.

Listen to her talk to Radio New Zealand about her growing career.

She is conducting Sin City, Golden City at the Charles Luney Auditorium, Christchurch  on Saturday 26th May at 7:30 pm. The concert includes: DAVIES Mavis in Las Vegas, CRESSWELL Piano Concerto No. 2, and MOZART Symphony No. 38 “Prague” with New Zealand’s own Michael Houstoun on piano.