About Us

The Taranaki Symphony Orchestra has a proud history of sharing music with the community, having been formed in 1951. Membership averages around forty players, with a good balance of sections. We welcome new players in all sections, though there may occasionally be limits in the woodwind section. There is no audition, and no specific Grade limit, though players would generally be expected to be at Grade 5 equivalent or above to be able to attempt the repertoire.

We perform around three concerts per year, with a variety of styles to suit a range of audiences and provide interest and challenge to the players. Most years there will be a major concert, often featuring a professional soloist in a concerto, and a large-scale symphony. For these concerts, we often invite guest players from around the region to augment our numbers and fill any gaps in instrumentation. Most years there is also a light concert in popular style, or a smaller scale concert featuring baroque or classical era repertoire. We sometimes combine with Ars Nova Choir in a major work, such as "The Armed Man" and the Verdi Requiem. We also regularly work with the Taranaki Youth Orchestra to present "Student Stars" or "All Stars" concerts that offer young players or members of the orchestra the opportunity to perform as a soloist in a concerto movement. We support New Zealand compositions, and have performed works by young local composers.

For the history of the Orchestra as New Plymouth Orchestra click here.