Alanna Jones Photo: Courtesy of New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa
Antun Poljanich Photo: Auckland Youth Orchestra
Founded in 1948 – the first youth orchestra established in the southern hemisphere – the Auckland Youth Orchestra will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee with a tour of the top of the North Island this month. Music director Antun Poljanich will conduct the AYO in a programme of music by Mendelssohn, Guilmant and (with the Auckland Youth Choir) Beethoven's Choral Symphony, with concerts in Whangarei, Hamilton and the Auckland Town Hall.
Antun told Three to Seven host Bryan Crump that directing the orchestra – which never grows old – keeps him feeling youthful.
Former orchestra member, double bass player Alanna Jones (now with the NZSO) told Bryan the orchestra was a key stepping stone in her musical career. Often in short supply, Alanna found herself as the only double bass player at her first rehearsal with Antun.
As you can see from this video, there's plenty of bass in the band these days.
The idea of a youth orchestra for Auckland came out of a desire to find a place for music students to keep playing after finishing high school. Led by the music master at Avondale Technical College, Gordon Cole, the orchestra had its first rehearsal in August 1948. Its first concert came the following year.
Following Gordon Cole, subsequent directors have been Dr Charles Nalden, Michael McLellan, and now (for the last 25 years) Antun Poljanich.
The AYO's 75th birthday tour takes it to Whangarei and Hamilton on October 14th and 15th before returning to the Auckland Town Hall on Friday October 20th.
Details of the tour here.
