Current Conductors
Youth Orchestra & Training Orchestra
Youth Orchestra Conductor, Term 1 2024
Robbie Cargill
Robbie is a dedicated teacher of music and is currently Head of Music at Havelock North High School where he has coached bands and choirs to regional and national success.
Born on the Isle of Arran, Scotland, in 1978, he began his cornet lessons with his father at the age of seven and soon after joined his local brass band, Arran Brass. In 1996 he commenced studies in what was arguably the centre of excellence for brass musicianship at the time, the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester, under the tutelage of Sandy Smith.
Robbie enjoyed eight years of success with the world's leading brass band, Williams Fairey Engineering and as Solo Horn of the Wingates Band. Highlights include winning the National Brass Band Championships, The British and French Opens and the All England Masters as well as an innovative and successful venture into Acid House Music, inspired by Turner Award winning artist Jeremy Deller. Robbie was New Zealand's Champion Tenor Horn player in 2011. For seven years Robbie was the Musical Director of Deco Bay Brass.
In 2023 Robbie was conductor for our AGM concert at Havelock North Intermediate School. We are delighted that Robbie has returned to us in 2024 and will direct the Hawke's Bay Youth Orchestra through to our Mother's Day Concert scheduled to be held at St Matthew's Church in Hastings on Sunday the 12th of May 2024.
Training Orchestra Conductor
Mary McHattie
Mary is Head of Music at Havelock North Intermediate School. An accomplished flautist, she has been supporting and encouraging youth in the Hawke's Bay music scene for decades.
Current Conductors
Community Orchestra
Community Orchestra Co-Conductor
Teresa Cuthbert
Teresa is a primary school teacher with a passion for music. She teaches at Napier Central School where she conducts the school orchestra of around 50 enthusiastic musicians each year.
The orchestra frequently performs around HB at local early childhood centres and rest homes, busks on Emerson Street and travels to Waipukurau school for a musical exchange.
Teresa’s primary instrument is the clarinet and she currently plays with the HB Orchestra, Bay City Symphonic and Napier Tech Band. Recently Teresa wanted to try something new and she is now a key member of the percussion section in the Bay City Symphonic Band, where the vibraphone is her new favourite instrument.
In 2019, Teresa created the Napier Tech Junior Band as a platform for encouraging younger musicians into band playing. Starting with 7 players in 2019, this thriving band now has over 20 players ranging in age from 10-18 years from a variety of local schools, playing woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.
On taking early retirement from full-time teaching at the end of 2023, Teresa still conducts the school orchestra, teaches classroom music 2 days a week and has taken on a number of itinerant music positions. She has also challenged herself to conduct adults in the Community Orchestra, alongside fellow clarinet player, Rolf Remin. They have a year of exciting concerts planned and are looking forward to this new adventure.
Community Orchestra Co-Conductor
Rolf Remin
Rolf has had an interesting and varied musical journey. He played in the Royal Australian Navy Band from 1978-1980 playing the clarinet and tenor saxophone and performed live with various rock bands from 1984 till 1994.
Arriving in Napier in 2020, Rolf soon immersed himself in several musical groups. His primary instrument is the clarinet which he now plays in the Napier Tech Band, Bay City Symphonic Band and the Community Orchestra, which he has recently taken up the challenge to conduct alongside Teresa Cuthbert. He is also a reliable ‘older’ player in the Napier Tech Junior Band where he plays a supporting role, mentoring younger players. Rolf has recently re-taken up his second instrument, the tenor sax, which he hopes to play in a band again too. In addition to the clarinet and tenor saxophone, Rolf also has a wealth of knowledge and experience with percussion and the electronic keyboard. He loves being involved with recording.
Rolf’s enthusiasm and sense of fun makes every rehearsal he attends enjoyable and his ability to make people laugh and feel good is legendary.
The Community Orchestra is lucky to have Rolf as their co-conductor and they look forward to another exciting year ahead.
Past Conductors
Youth Orchestra Conductor, 2022
Kimbali Harding
Kimbali sadly had to leave us to take up the role of CEO for the Australian Youth Orchestra! She very generously returned to conduct the HBYO for our 2023 Christmas Harmonies concert.