About Us
A Message from the CEO
Orchestras Central Trust (OCT) delivers governance and support to orchestras in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions – OPUS Orchestra, Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra, the Rusty Player Orchestra and United Youth Orchestra. OCT provides leadership to the sector, and art administration to support the delivery of more than 30 concerts each year. More than 1,500 children attended our annual education concerts performed by TWSO, and we have joined with the University of Waikato to deliver a new programme teaching leadership – and followership – through the model of an orchestra, and later in 2017 an exciting new initiative, ‘Sensing Music’, which is being presented with the support of Creative New Zealand. The OCT team comprises of: Susan Trodden - CEO, Kristin Hartley – Office Manager, Sharon Stephens – Events Coordinator and Anne-Marie Bird and Katrina Carswell – Arts Administrators, supported by a group of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers.
Contact Us Upstairs @the Meteor, 1 Victoria Street, Hamilton PO Box 159, Hamilton Ph 07 949 9315 / 027 6365278 Email:
ceo@orchestras.org.nz
Web:
www.orchestras.org.nz
Attend an orchestral event and you will sense that everyone there —whether on the stage or in the audience - is engaged in what is happening. The high level of playing achieved by our musicians cannot easily be recreated. It is the result of individual players’ lifelong dedication to their craft, to each other, and to the communities they are part of and contribute to. The Waikato and Bay of Plenty are simply better for having such wonderful orchestras that continue to flourish. With its own orchestra, a community reaps the benefit of an expanding awareness of the diversity of music, and learns from an orchestra’s unique ability to influence creativity of thought and behaviour. An orchestra’s responsibility to their community goes beyond the concert chamber too. An orchestra is a leader in showing value, and sets the standard for volunteering, an orchestra can help a community cope with stress and pressure, by using music as a teaching tool and demonstrating harmony, and an effective orchestra delivers musicians who are experts in expressing the complexities of life in ways otherwise inexpressible, but instantly recognized. We are committed to growing orchestral music through the connections we create, the programmes we deliver, and the talent we develop. Ask a child who has attended one of our concerts - the Orchestra provides them with inspiration that can last a lifetime.
Orchestral music unites communities!
Susan Trodden- CEO #orchestrascent
OPUS Orchestra, established 25 years ago, is a professional chamber orchestra that plays a vital role in the creative life of the region through collaborations with many high profile musical entities. Regular concert series are held in Hamilton, Tauranga and Rotorua, with performances also held in other regional centres such as Putaruru and Taupo. It also delivers one-off events including corporate education, choir collaborations and private engagements.
Along with ‘Sunset Symphony’, performed to crowds of more than 5000 each summer, and education concerts attended by 1500 Waikato school children, TWSO also present two symphonic concerts each year, usually held at Clarence St theatre. This is a community, all volunteer player, Hamilton-based orchestra, that rehearses at Waikato Diocesan school year around.
OPUS attracts nationally and internationally recognised conductors such as James Judd, and soloists such as Michael Houston and Simon O’Neill. Opus is thrilled to have had Peter Walls as our Music Director and Principal conductor since 2009.
TWSO has been performing in Hamilton for over 100 years and has been led by Music Director Rupert D’Cruze since 2007.
A new initiative in 2016, this orchestra is for everyone!
Comprising 30 young people aged 10-18, UYO was formed 13 years ago and meets at the band room for Friday night rehearsals. The orchestra performs four concerts each year. In 2016 they made their first visit to Te Awamutu and performed to a crowd of 150. It also undertakes reciprocal visits with the New Plymouth Youth Orchestra, giving both groups fantastic shared experiences.
Around 30 players of all ages and abilities meet for the sheer pleasure of playing together and making music. Upcoming events in 2017 include training workshops for players, a ‘pop-up orchestra’ , all-comers ‘just play it’ day , and at the end of the year ‘A Very Rusty Christmas’ with the fledgling Rusty Singers. Rusty Players is led by Oliver Barratt.
Music director Yoshi Tatsumi has more than ten years’ experience leading the youth orchestra.
The Sound of Collaboration – Music to all ears Orchestras Central is the umbrella organisation that beings together Opus Orchestra Trust, the Waikato Orchestral Society (governors of Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra) and United Youth Orchestra. OCT is a charitable trust with an exciting list of credentials. There is a board of nine trustees, a CEO with an administration team of three and three music directors, all of whom support over 500 musicians to deliver more than 25 events each year across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty Region. A strong line-up of funders, sponsors and stakeholders includes Trust Waikato (who also hold naming rights for the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra), Creative New Zealand, Hamilton City Council, WEL Energy Trust, Rotorua Energy Trust, Tauranga Energy Trust and the University of Waikato.
OCT HAS A BOARD OF NINE TRUSTEES WITH EXTENSIVE GOVERNANCE EXPERIENCE, STRONG REGIONAL LINKS AND SKILLS INCLUDING ARTS ADMINISTRATION, COMMUNITY ADVOCACY, FUNDING, LAW & ACCOUNTING Robert (Bob) Simcock (Chair) has held both professional and governance roles in the health, agri-business, early childhood education, and central and local government sectors. Daphne Bell is a former city Councillor and experienced community advocate who regards the merger of our three orchestras as a smart, forward-thinking initiative. Katie Mayes is currently the leader of the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra. A violinist with Opus Orchestra for five years, she was also on the Opus board for ten years, including three years as Chair. Robert Johnson has been a part of Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra as a double bass player and board member for the Waikato Orchestral Society.
Community meets creativity
Nicolas Wells is Treasurer for the Orchestras Central board. Outside of this, he is Hamilton City Councils Strategic Property Unit Manager and can occasionally be found in the brass section of an orchestra or acting with Hamilton Playbox.
Along with our sponsors, the orchestras each have a ‘Friends’ group who support their chosen orchestra through event attendance, ‘chair’ sponsorship and countless volunteer hours. Part of our vision is to value our volunteers when they can contribute, but ‘not make them feel guilty’ when they cannot
Jeremy Bell is Manager of the Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts and previously helped develop the University of Waikato drama programme.
These supporters help us deliver our vision of outstanding performances, developing our audience and players, and offering community participation across the Waikato and Bay of Plenty. In addition, we are supported by a number of Waikato/BOP based businesses who share our values, passion, and commitment to our communities.
Rose Macfarlane brings a business and people focused approach to the Trust. Currently General Manager Human Resources at DairyNZ, Rose has a career spanning a range of people related roles. Grant Taylor An Accountant, Grant has been a board member of United Youth Orchestra. Tim Macindoe has been MP for Hamilton West since November 2008, and currently serves as Senior Government Whip. Prior to this he was Arts Waikato's CEO and chaired the Waikato and BOP Regional Orchestra Steering Committee.
At a Glance
2017 Programme of Activity
1 Governing body
Rusty Players
3 Music Directors
o o o o
4 Orchestras 15 Performance venues 30+ Concerts and events each year 25+ Guest soloists 250 ‘Friends’ 525 Musicians age 10-75 730 Facebook followers 2100 Newsletter recipients 10000+ Concert goers
Sensing Music This new initiative planned for August 2017 is supported by Creative New Zealand and comprises a full weekend of orchestral activity engaging all orchestras and additional artists.
See our annual programme at www.orchestras.org.nz
1 half day of sectional workshops and playthroughs 1 ‘pop-up’ concert event 1 all in orchestra playthrough and concert 1 all in orchestra playthrough and concert with Rusty Singers
United Youth Orchestra o o o o o
Currently practice every Friday night, school term time Four sectional workshop days (1 per term) Two retirement village concerts Two formal concerts – Gallagher Academy Bi-annual exchange trip to New Plymouth
Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra o Four concerts • Sunset Symphony • Children’s Education Concerts (3 events in 1 day) • Winter Symphonic Concert • Christmas concert o Practice in 6 week blocks, Monday evenings and full weekend prior to concert o 4 Mid-season sectional workshops (one per event) Opus Orchestra o Choral collaborations with Hamilton Civic Choir o Three toured series (March/July/December) – Hamilton/Tauranga/Rotorua/Putaruru o Orchestrating Outcomes – Leadership programme (new 2017)
Our channels: Why we exist Orchestras Central Trust was created to promote the enjoyment and development of orchestral music primarily but not exclusively in the Waikato Region as follows: o To promote player and audience participation and/or appreciation of orchestral music; o To provide a range of orchestral playing, development and performance opportunities for musicians o To provide education programmes in order to encourage enjoyment, appreciation and/or participation by students and other members of the public in orchestral music; o To assist orchestras through the provision of management services and/or financial support in relation to the administration of those organisations; o To encourage and facilitate the sharing of orchestra resources
PIPELINE o Provide a place and purpose for musicians to develop their craft o Continue to build and develop relationships with educators, mentors, performance spaces o Develop strategic partnerships with key stakeholders o Develop relationships with other parts of the arts sector, and musicians elsewhere in New Zealand (and the world) to provide pathways for potential and existing orchestra members
We want to
PARTICIPATION o To encourage public understanding and appreciation of orchestral music, resulting in a sustainable arts culture o Increase visibility of the orchestras to the wider community o Identify and deliver Innovative initiatives to improve and develop accessibility of performers o Provide opportunity to showcase the musicians not only in the music halls, but also to their own communities, working to engage people at a grass roots level outside of the cities
o o o o o o o o o
PLATFORM o Be recognised as a key stakeholder and contributor to the performing arts in the region o Act as an advocate for orchestras as a vital contributor to the arts sector o Be recognised for excellence in performance, education and collaboration in orchestral music o Educate stakeholders and the wider public about the importance of orchestras as part of a vibrant arts culture, and how that connects to broader community wellbeing
Engage and excite audience Respond to local community’s demand Engage high quality, auditioned players Have a priority to develop and utilise local talent Provide musical leadership to youth/other players Develop community pride Be agile/flexible/responsive/innovative Be known for being alert/alive/fun Honour our loyal audiences whilst attracting new ones
UPCOMING EVENTS