Musical fairy tales, romance, inter-galactic battles and so much more!

Featuring Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra in a concert for all the family to enjoy. Experience New Zealand's favourite classical saxophonist Simon Brew in the starring roles of conductor and soloist, plus beautiful solos from concertmaster Tony Hong-Che Wu and the joint winner of University of Waikato's 2024 Concerto Competition, Sitiveni Palei on trumpet. With well-known orchestral music spanning the centuries, the 2024 Arts Foundation NZ Te Tumu Toi Laureate - Claire Cowan's Orchestral Suite from 'Hansel and Gretel' and as the ‘May the 4th’ finale - ever-popular Star Wars themes.

Programme
Prokofiev | Romeo and Juliet, No 13 Dance of the Knights "Montagues and Capulets" 
Georges Bizet | Chanson du Toreador from ‘Carmen Suite no 2 for trumpet
Beethoven | Romance no 2 for Violin
Verdi | Force of Destiny
-interval-
Alexander Glazunov | Concerto in E flat major for alto saxophone and string orchestra, Op. 109
Claire Cowan | Hansel and Gretel Suite Selection
John Williams | Yoda’s Theme and Imperial March from Star Wars Suite

Audio Description and pre-concert touch/tactile tour
This concert will be audio described and include a pre-concert tactile tour for patrons who are blind or have low vision, delivered by the team at Audio Described Aotearoa. Blind patrons can reserve a ticket by contacting Orchestras Central via email or phone (artistic@orchestras.org.nz, 021 129 7346). There is 1 free companion seat for Blind and Low Vision patrons for audio description and touch tour.