The NZSM Orchestra offers an excellent opportunity for New Zealand's future performers to gain orchestral experience. The School is proud that it has a full range of instruments to support a 70-piece orchestra and the conductors are among the finest professional musicians in the country.

Each year the Orchestra performs masterpieces from the symphonic repertoire to a very high standard and prides itself on the inclusion of new music and music by New Zealand composers in its programmes. Winners of the School's annual Concerto Competition are featured as soloists, along with distinguished guests and NZSM Performance staff.

SARAH BALLARD: street : noise : graffiti from SOUNZ on Vimeo.

Student composers are also represented with works by the annual winners of the David Farquhar and Jenny McLeod Composition Awards played in the concert series.

The Orchestra plays three or four concerts each year including (until its closure for earthquake strengthening) a highlight performance in the Wellington Town Hall. The experience of playing in such a professional-level venue is invaluable for performance students, and we look forward to using this space again in years to come, as part of the National Centre of Musical Excellence project. In every other year, the NZSM Orchestra also accompanies the NZSM Opera production.

While the NZSM Orchestra is primarily a required activity for students majoring in performance, some places may be available in any given year for other sufficiently advanced players – for information about an audition please contact the Orchestral Studies Coordinator prior to the start of the academic year.