Celebrating Greatness

Bay of Plenty Symphonia’s final concert of 2022 marks two significant events in our community orchestra’s history. It is 75 years since the inaugural concert of the Tauranga Concert Orchestra – later renamed Bay of Plenty Symphonia. Also this year our Music Director and Principal Conductor, Justus Rozemond, has been our artistic inspiration for ten years. These milestones of music-making deserve a celebration! Our concert features Schubert’s ‘Great’ C major Symphony, an exciting up-and-coming young clarinet soloist, and an early work by perhaps the greatest of New Zealand composers, Douglas Lilburn.

Lilburn’s Drysdale Overture was written to celebrate his upbringing on the family farm near Whanganui. It reflects his nostalgia for the New Zealand landscape and his idyllic boyhood messing about in the bush and on the Turakina River.

Our soloist is clarinettist Stefenie Pickston. A final year Hillary Scholar at the University of Waikato, she has already made a name for herself as a highly talented, up-and-coming performer. The orchestra will accompany Stefenie in Louis Spohr’s 2nd Clarinet Concerto. This is a festive work, showcasing the versatility and virtuosity of the clarinet.

Schubert’s majestic Symphony No. 9 in C Major completes the programme. It is nicknamed ‘The Great’ - a good description for its length and grandeur. This will be a fitting end to our special year with gorgeous themes and lots of brass.

Door sales $20 (Cash or EFTPOS).
Under 18 free (no ticket needed).
Refreshments are available pre-concert and at the interval.