Free Family Concerts in May that will move body and soul

12 May 2017 – NZSO media release for immediate release

Free Family Concerts in May that will move body and soul

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s FREE Family Concerts in May will celebrate some of classical music’s greatest dance tunes.

The hour-long Symphonic Boogie shows are designed to appeal to families and introduce children and young people to the national orchestra with performances in Palmerston North and Takapuna on 24 and 28 May, Porirua on 23 May and Manukau on May 29.

Popular dance, including waltz, polka, tango and folk, are the inspiration for a diverse mix of music in the concerts from some of classical music’s biggest names, including Johann Strauss, Brahms, Dvořák, Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Bizet and Kiwi composer David Farquhar.

The concerts will be presented by Chris Lam Sam, an accomplished composer for stage and screen, who has worked on musical projects for some of New Zealand’s top-tier performers and recording artists including Dave Dobbyn and Kimbra. Chris presented the NZSO’s free Family Concerts last year.

“The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra is the country’s biggest band and one that families will love. Our free Symphonic Boogie concerts are designed to let kids be themselves, and contain all the excitement and joy of hearing and seeing an orchestra live. There is nothing else like it,” says Chris.

“Dance is at the heart of the uplifting mix of music we’ve chosen this year. Be set to not only clap your hands but to stamp your feet - and even boogie!”

NZSO Associate Conductor Hamish McKeich, who led the orchestra’s Family Concerts last year, also returns. McKeich has an impressive international conducting career and has given more than 100 world premieres of new works. In 2012, he was awarded a Douglas Lilburn Trust citation for services to New Zealand music.

To register for free tickets go to http://www.nzso.co.nz/family.

The NZSO Family Concerts series is part of the NZSO’s core initiative to engage with more communities and offer exciting opportunities to enjoy music.

NZSO Family Concerts

Hamish McKeich CONDUCTOR
Chris Lam Sam PRESENTER

BARTÓK Romanian Folk Dances
BIZET Carmen Suite No 1: ‘Les Toreadors’
BRAHMS Hungarian Dance No. 5
CHINESE TRADITIONAL Yao Dance
COPLAND Hoedown
DVOŘÁK Slavonic Dance Op. 46, No. 8
FARQUHAR Ring Round the Moon – Short Suite: ‘Tango’
GRIEG Norwegian Dance No. 2
MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 4 ‘Italian’: 4th Movement - Saltarello
PURCELL Suite for Strings: ‘Rondeau’
STRAUSS Vergnügungszug Polka (Pleasure Train Polka)
TCHAIKOVSKY Nutcracker Suite: Waltz of the Flowers

PALMERSTON NORTH | Regent on Broadway | Wednesday 24 May | 6pm

TAKAPUNA | Bruce Mason Centre | Sunday 28 May | 4pm

SCHOOL CONCERTS

PORIRUA | Te Rauparaha Arena | Tuesday 23 May | 11am

MANUKAU | Vodafone Events Centre | Monday 29 May | 11am and 1.30pm

© Scoop Media