WELCOME TO HAWKE'S BAY YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Creative Performances, Creative Minds
We aim to foster and encourage instrumental tuition, orchestral and band playing and performance and other allied cultural activities, with the emphasis on the youth of Hawke's Bay.
'We are constantly amazed by the talent and dedication of our young people. It is humbling to see the way they make music together, striving to create something that is beautiful and greater than the individual parts.'
- Kimbali Harding HBYO Conductor 2022
CELEBRATING 75 YEARS
The Hawke’s Bay Orchestral Society (HBOS) was formed in 1947 and celebrated 75 years at our AGM on Saturday the 24th of September 2022. We were joined by our patrons the Mayor of Hastings Sandra Hazlehurst and the Mayor of Napier Kirsten Wise along with the MP for Tukituki the Hon Anna Lorck. After the formalities our three orchestras entertained parents, friends and supporters with an amazing performance.
The HBOS aims to foster and encourage instrumental tuition and orchestra performance and other allied cultural activities, with the emphasis on youth of the Hawke’s Bay. Our Youth Orchestra members (aged 12-22 years) are supported by our Training Orchestra for young members who are new to music and our Community Orchestra for adults.
Prior to COVID our orchestras regularly combined with Wellington, Wairarapa and Manawatu groups for workshops and concerts. In 2016 and 2018 members travelled to Hastings’ sister city Guilin in China, and the HBOS hosted an exchange visit from that city's performing arts groups. We also perform with local groups (schools, HB choirs) for example the Our Voice Hastings Girls’ High School Performing Arts Festival held on the 14th of September 2022, enriching lives through music performance. We have a solid bond with the NZ Symphony Orchestra who send tutors for workshops and specific tutoring, and some players attend and tutor our rehearsals when the orchestra is 'in town'.
Emerging now from COVID, the orchestras are rebuilding, with several new key people in conducting, administration and committee roles. We are looking for new members and want to hear from tutors and heads of music from schools through-out the Hawke’s Bay. Given our 75 years, we would also love to reconnect with any previous members.
24 September 2022
From left: the Mayor of Hastings Sandra Hazlehurst, Community Orchestra member Kate Holden, the Mayor of Napier Kirsten Wise, Youth Orchestra Alumnus and HBOS committee member Amanda Cooper and her daughter Youth Orchestra member Amelia Cooper.