Orchestra Sector Review

 “Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra stands, more than ever, as an energy core for the city’s musical activities.”

Dr William Dart, NZ Herald

 

In July the Ministry for Culture and Heritage released the New Zealand Professional Orchestra Sector Review discussion document (see http://www.mch.govt.nz/orchestra-review) on New Zealand’s professional orchestra sector. Public submissions have now closed, though the five orchestras under review have another week to complete their submissions.

 

 The APO thanks all supporters who have contacted us and who have submitted directly to the Minsitry and/or to Ministers and Members of Parliament.

 

 We have now set Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture to a stunning video, showing the diverse faces of the real Auckland: the good and the gritty, the sporty and sedate, the café set and the outdoor markets.

 

 This video can be seen on YouTube, while the music is available for download on iTunes. The aim is to send the APO’s track to number 1 in the music charts and in so doing make our case for adequate funding that enables the orchestra to fulfil its potential.

 

 You can help us by watching the video on YouTube, then downloading the music from iTunes and sending the link to friends, colleagues and students. On iTunes you’ll find a music track of the Tchaikovsky for $1.79 alongside remixes of the APO performance by top contemporary groups Kids of 88, Weird Together and Luger Boa. Or you can download all four tracks for $3.99. Any funds the APO receives from the downloads will be used to support our education programmes.

 

 If we get the APO to number 1, you’ll be helping create the first online iTunes petition, and the Government will hear us.

 

We have strongly stated our case, as we are aware that this review of the orchestral sector can have a direct and lasting impact on the future of the APO. We want the Minister of Arts, Culture and Heritage, Hon. Chris Finlayson, to acknowledge and secure the status of the APO as a world class city orchestra that complements the role of the NZSO as the national orchestra. We do not believe the discussion document  adequately addresses this. Neither does it create a platform for a vibrant orchestral sector in the future. What needs to be addressed is the inequitable central government funding, which is holding back the ability of the APO to reach more Aucklanders.

 

 The APO supports the NZSO and celebrates its calibre, but believes that an ambitious yet practical reassessment of the New Zealand orchestral model is needed, one that is based on the current realities of New Zealand’s demographics and the recent artistic growth of the APO. We believe that with a more efficient model, including balanced funding allocation, New Zealand can continue to support and grow both of its world class orchestras.

 

The discussion document offered a complex analysis of the professional orchestra sector and asked a number of challenging questions on which it invited public submission. It offered four funding and governance scenarios, and our submission will be based on a modified ‘scenario three’. We don’t believe any of the scenarios outlined in the Review document address the fundamental problems, but believe this option, with modifications can offer a positive way forward for the sector.

 

 The current structure no longer reflects reality. It is time for real change. The APO is proudly Auckland’s world-class city-based orchestra.  Over the last three years the APO has reached more people than ever, we are playing better than ever and have the reviews to prove it. From schools to concert halls, open days and community events – we’ve performed and provided music education from Rotorua to Whangarei. We’re core to the musical fabric of Auckland and we nurture the musicians of the future.

Below are some key links and background information for your reference.

 

 We have put together a Fact Sheet about the APO, and some FAQs which may answer questions you have about the review process.

 

We will continue to update this page as we hear from the Ministry about the progress of the Review, and as additional comments are made in the media.

 

“Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s [Mahler] Sixth, under Eckehard Stier, showed these musicians would not be out of place in any of the world’s concert halls.”

Dr William Dart, NZ Herald

 

Click here to read the APO’s pre-submission information.

 “Doubtless it was the infallible pairing of Nikolai Demidenko and Rachmaninov that put the ‘full house’ sign outside Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s Thursday concert, but the whole programme gave an evening of bedazzlement.”

Dr William Dart, NZ Herald

 

Click here to read Geoff Cumming’s article in the New Zealand Herald.

 

Dame Jenny Gibbs shares her thoughts in the Dominion Post.

 “In this concert [Brave New World] everyone was a star: orchestra, soloist, conductor, composers, presenter Victoria Kelly and the absent [Mahinarangi] Tocker, together with the APO’s courageous management and the audience that trusted them.”

Rod Biss, NZ Listener

 

 Click here to read Brian Rudman’s article ‘City Orchestra deserves much more’

 

“A Scintillating performance of the perfect overture, a distinguished reading of a great violin concerto and a premiere of an outstanding new symphony: the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra has just given Auckland a concert to make the rest of New Zealand feel deprived.”

Rod Biss, NZ Listener

 

Click here to read the press release with our response to the discussion document.

 

Click here to read composer and broadcaster Robbie Ellis’s take on the review.

 

We continue to appreciate your feedback on this.  Please email us and let us know what you think or leave a comment below.

 “Works with Words is a concept whose base is in collaboration and generosity. To see it come together in such a way is heartening and to see it unashamedly political is inspiring. To feel that, in some small way artists working together have achieved this, is humbling.”

Lexie Matheson, theatrereview.org

 

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