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Associate
Conductor: Peter Thomas |
| The
Auckland Symphony Orchestra | Upcoming Concerts
| 2009 Season |
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Welcome to the Auckland Symphony Orchestra website
| The Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Gary Daverne - Conductor |
The ASO is a community-based orchestra formed in 1975 by its musical director, Gary Daverne. The players are drawn from all parts of Auckland and from all walks of life. The orchestra provides an opportunity to musicians who have chosen a career outside music, to enjoy weekly rehearsals of symphonic music, playing without payment and purely for the pleasure of making good music together. The orchestra also supports local young soloists, giving them the opportunity to perform with a full symphony orchestra, in concert. The orchestra’s main philosophy is that music should be fun and enjoyed by players and audiences alike - hence the regular, Free Family concerts that are offered in Auckland with out-of-town concerts in areas where a live performance by a Symphony Orchestra is a rare event. Today, the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, with over eighty players, has developed an excellent following and reputation for its high quality performances of popular classics, film and show music, often playing to capacity and turn-away audiences. Regular annual features of the orchestra are the two sell-out performances of Last Night of the Proms and the Free Christmas Sing Along with local Pacific Island youth choirs. For further information
re THE AUCKLAND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA and possible playing opportunities
with the orchestra, please contact the Secretary: |
| Christmas
Carols 2008 |

2008 Christmas Carols concert, played to a capacity audience.

Santa wanted to take over, but Gary wasn't too keen!
| China
Tour 2007 |
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The concerts in Beijing and Shanghai were televised and the Shanghai concert was screened for one hour, prime time television (Sunday evening 7 - 8pm), to an estimated viewing audience of 143 million. Politicians, high-ranking government officials and dignitaries attended all concerts. The following is a report from CCTV after the orchestra's first concert in Beijing: The Auckland Symphony believes "Music should be fun and enjoyed by players and audiences alike." It clearly demonstrated that philosophy at its Chinese debut at Beijing's Century Theater on Saturday afternoon. The concert raised money for students in the poverty-stricken areas of China. Auckland Symphony enjoys a loyal following and fine reputation for its performances of popular classics and film music. Their repertoire features the theme from the blockbuster "Lord of the Ring," which was shot in New Zealand.
It's said music knows of no boundary. It's the perfect bridge to unite people from different cultures, language and background. The Auckland Symphony Orchestra brought that friendship and good will to China. The Chinese love song "The Moon Speaks For My Heart" is a good example. Beijing is the first of three charity concerts. The others are in Shanghai, and Shijiazhuang to raise money for the "Mountain Flower Project," which helps children in poverty-stricken areas of China get an education.
The Auckland Symphony is one of the most popular orchestras in New Zealand. Founded in 1975, it features over eighty players from all parts of Auckland, and from all walks of life, including a number of professional musicians as well as talented amateurs. They play purely for the pleasure of making wonderful music together.
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| Review |
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A review of the concert featuring the Auckland Symphony Orchestra with Dame Malvia Major by the Rodney Times is now available to view.
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![]() Eugene Lee violin soloist in rehearsal with the Auckland Symphony, Auckland Town Hall, August '07 |
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| Amalia Hall (17) in concert with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, conductor Gary Daverne. Auckland Town Hall, 6 August 2006. | |
![]() American solo accordionist, Mary Tokarski, in rehearsal with the ASO, at the Auckland Town Hall 20 November 2005. Conductor, Gary Daverne. |
![]() The Auckland Symphony is 30 years old. |
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Sing
Along Christmas Concert, Auckland Symphony Orchestra, conductor Gary
Daverne, massed combined choirs and soloists. Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE. |
| Auckland Symphony
Orchestra, conductor Gary Daverne, in concert at the Bruce mason Centre, Takapuna |
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‘in appreciation of tangible and significant assistance given for the furtherance of better understanding and friendly relations among peoples of the world.’
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| CD
Releases on EMI Classics label |
STOP
PRESS!
The soloists are, our New Zealanders Kevin Friedrich and Stephanie Poole with Australian, Bernadette Conlon and American, Mary Tokarski from the K Trio. The accompanying orchestras are the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Moravian Philharmonic - Czech Republic. Recorded in the Czech Republic, America, Australia and New Zealand. Edited and mastered at Stebbing Recording Studios, Auckland, New Zealand. Produced by Gary Daverne
CD: 07243 5579042 2
CD: 07243 5579052 1 |
The Auckland
Symphony Orchestra acknowledges the support of the
Auckland and North Shore City Councils and Creative NZ.