Auckland’s Next Generation Of Musicians Bring The Sounds Of Christmas To Holy Trinity Cathedral

Join Auckland Youth Orchestra and Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir on Friday 11 December for Sounds of Christmas, bringing together 75 of Auckland’s finest young musicians, choral singers and soloists for one glorious night of orchestral favourites, festive music and Christmas carols.

Led by Auckland Youth Orchestra Music Director Antun Poljanich and Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir Music Director Peter Watts MNZM, the programme includes Tchaikovsky’s Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride, Prokofiev’s Troika, Vaughan Williams’ English Folk Song Suite, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu and Piazzolla’s Libertango.

At the heart of Auckland Youth Orchestra are the young musicians themselves. Behind the 75 music stands are 75 different stories, each another thread in the rich tapestry of AYO’s more than 75 year history.

Some join as teenagers and stay for years, growing in confidence and taking on leadership roles. Some come from families where siblings have followed one another into AYO, creating connections that span decades, while others leave Auckland to study or travel before finding their way back.

Among them are aspiring professional musicians and those whose lives will take them in completely different directions, all balancing music with study, work and busy young lives. While the music is taken seriously, AYO is also about friendship, shared experiences and the sense of belonging that comes from finding people who love the same thing you do.

The premier regional youth orchestra in New Zealand, Auckland Youth Orchestra has been nurturing musicians aged 16 – 26 for more than seven decades. The first formal youth orchestra established in the Southern Hemisphere, AYO has been a critical step for many young musicians on their way to professional careers.

The orchestra is not only nurturing the musicians of tomorrow, but the audiences too. Young people coming to hear friends, siblings and musicians their own age today may well become the concert goers and supporters of the arts for years to come.

At the helm for the past 27 years is Antun Poljanich, who has watched generations of young musicians grow through the orchestra.

“Every musician who comes into AYO brings something different. Some arrive knowing they want to make music their career, while others simply love playing and being part of an orchestra. What they share is a real commitment to the music and to each other. Seeing the friendships they make, the confidence they gain and the musicians they become is incredibly rewarding,” says Antun Poljanich.

For Sounds of Christmas, Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir will perform John Rutter’s 12 Days of Christmas and Jesus Child, before perhaps the best part, everyone gets to join in. Choir and full orchestra will lead the Cathedral in Good King Wenceslas, O Come All Ye Faithful, Silent Night and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.

So bring the whānau, bring your friends and bring your singing voice for a wonderful night of young musical talent and Christmas joy.

EVENT DETAILS
Sounds of Christmas
Auckland Youth Orchestra with Holy Trinity Cathedral Choir
Friday 11 December, 7.30pm
Holy Trinity Cathedral,  446 Parnell Road, Parnell
Adults / Seniors $27.50
Students / Children $10
Tickets available here

Photo Credit: Dave Simpson