About Wellington Youth Orchestra - ‘the soul of the city’
Established in 1959, the Wellington Youth Orchestra is a full symphonic orchestra for players aged between 12 and 25.
The Orchestra's three primary objectives are to:
- provide the opportunity for young people to play in a symphony orchestra
- develop confidence and skill in the techniques of orchestral playing
- foster an appreciation and understanding of orchestral music.
Each year (in June) we hold a concerto competition for Orchestra members, the winner, and possibly the runner-up, playing a concerto of their choice in the Wellington Town Hall.
Members of the orchestra include performance music students from the New Zealand School of Music. For many New Zealand musicians, the Youth Orchestra has been a stepping-stone to a successful career in music.
Every week the Wellington Youth Orchestra and its associated ensembles, the Wellington Youth Sinfonietta and the Schola Sinfonica, bring together over 150 young people aged between 8 and 25 to rehearse and perform orchestral music. Their aim: to expand and extend their classical music education training and experience. Their motivation: a passion for and commitment to the universal language we call music.
As the Music Director of WYO, Gregory Squire has a vision for the orchestra, allied to a mission which, he believes will have the following results:
- Students develop an appreciation and love of great music.
- Their self-esteem is enhanced as a result of their accomplishment and achievement.
- Social skills improve through group instruction, facilitating co-operation and teamwork.
- Behavioural skills, including concentration, motivation, and patience, are developed in a productive, non-judgemental environment.
As well as the many social and behavioural skills that are additional benefits of participating in musical activity, increased academic success is another well-documented benefit for young musicians.
Our vision
Through orchestral playing, to empower young Wellingtonians with musical knowledge and instil in them a deep commitment to employ those skills at home and in the wider community, enriching both Wellington and New Zealand’s cultural development.
Our mission
- To provide professional leadership and inspiration to talented young New Zealanders, enabling them to expand and extend their musical experience and education.
- To use the power of music to overcome artificial barriers such as race, age, and religion, becoming a catalyst for social change.
- To cultivate musical ambassadors and leaders of the future.
- To encourage new music by performing works written by composers within the orchestra.
Wellington Youth Orchestra rehearses on Monday evenings at the Adam Concert Room.
Auditions are held in February and March each year.
Annual report
Annual reports detailing the progress of the orchestra are available to download:
- 2008 Annual Report (PDF, 1.5MB)
- 2007 Annual Report (PDF, 1.4MB)
- 2006 Annual Report (PDF, 700KB)
Music Director - Gregory Squire
Gregory Squire was born in Waipukurau and educated at the Royal College of Music where he studied conducting with Norman Del Mar and violin with Jaroslav Vanecek. Prior to his return to New Zealand he led a busy life as soloist, chamber musician and conductor.
Gregory has conducted in the UK and is a frequent guest conductor of a number of orchestras in New Zealand. He has conducted the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and appeared as director and soloist with the Vector Wellington Orchestra, the Hawkes Bay Orchestra and the Wellington Chamber Orchestra. He was Music Director of the Massey Chamber Orchestra prior to the formation of the New Zealand School of Music where he conducted their opera production in 2007.
