The Wairarapa Youth Orchestra held their first concert at the end of last year, at Kurunui College. 48 students took part. Strings, percussion, woodwind, and brass players from 15 different schools throughout the Wairarapa joined in harmony for a spirited event featuring the Irish Washerwoman, Hine e Hine, Jungle Bells and Fix You.
This year the WYO are inviting both primary and secondary students, who would like to participate, to attend rehearsals to discover for themselves if they would like to join.
Rehearsals are held every Monday from 4.15 to 5.30pm. It is free for students to enrol.
Caitlin Morris, one of the organisers, says “The Wairarapa Youth Orchestra provides a fabulous opportunity for students to play in a large ensemble to create music together. Students practice in their own section with tutors before all combining together. This engenders confidence.
Students develop skills in listening, communication, and reading music as well as having fun and mixing together. One student came last year to a rehearsal and wanted to play. She had no instrument, so we started her off on percussion. She has now moved on to a stringed instrument and loves it. Another saxophone player from Solway College is going to university to study music.”
We are extremely fortunate in having such talented tutors, many of whom have had careers in the NZSO; Victoria Jones -Cello, Ed Allen -Brass, Marion Townend -Viola, Elizabeth Patchett -Violin, Dean Major Violin, David Heath- Percussion, Kathryn Seagrave- Cello and Marion Titmus -Woodwind.
If you would like to know more about the Wairarapa Youth Orchestra
Email wairarapayouthorchestra@gmail.com
Or enrol on the http://wyo.org.nz
You can follow the link to the Facebook page
www.facebook.com/Wairarapa-Youth -Orchestra-109347758260061
Or even better still come along to a rehearsal and see for yourself.
