Youth Orchestra Waikato Academy
Holiday programme
Registrations close 4 April 2025
Date and time:
Monday 14 April 2025
Tuesday 15 April 2025
9am - 3pm
Venue:
Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts
University of Waikato
Conductor
Bill Stoneham
Ready to take your orchestral playing to the next level? Following the success of our first programme in 2024 we have planned three programmes in 2025 for the April, June/July and September school holidays and we'd love you to join in the fun!
Join YOW Academy’s orchestral holiday programme 14 – 15 April 2025 with specialist music educator and conductor Bill Stoneham. This fun two-day holiday programme is for students Grade 3 – Grade 6 who play orchestral instruments. Students will enjoy music-making and thrive in a supportive and fun learning environment with tuākana leaders playing alongside their sections and leading fun music games and social time.
YOW Academy repertoire has the classic Thriller by Michael Jackson, a toe tapping movie theme medley, alongside the beautiful themes from Dvorak’s New World Symphony. With a mix of challenging and easier pieces there is something for everyone. Links to the music are available now and will be sent once your registration is received.
What is YOW Academy?
The first of three Youth Orchestra Waikato Academy sessions for 2025 is a two-day orchestral programme during the April school holidays. The academy is aimed at students Grade 3-6 wanting to be part of an orchestra and who may be aspiring to join Youth Orchestra Waikato (YOW). We have recognised a gap in what is being offered for students of these grade levels and are finding as the auditioning standard of the Youth Orchestra gets higher some students are missing out of being a part of a regional group before leaving school. The plan for the two days is a combination of tutti rehearsals, sectionals, music games and social time concluding with an informal short concert for the local community, friends and a family.
How old do I need to be to participate?
The minimum age for participating in the YOW Academy is 10.
What will it cost?
The registration fee is $142 including GST, with an option to buy a YOW Academy T-shirt for $34.50 including GST. You do not have to buy the T-shirt.
What should I wear?
The dress code is informal, or if you like you can wear your optional YOW Academy T-shirt.
Tell me about the Conductor, Bill Stoneham
Bill Stoneham is a highly skilled and dedicated trumpeter and music educator. He began his musical journey at age 8, learning the trumpet under the guidance his father. He went on to study with leading professionals notably Gareth Small (Hallé Orchestra) and Jon Holland (City of Birmingham SO), graduating with a Bachelor of Music from Birmingham Conservatoire in 2001. Bill has played with many professional ensembles within New Zealand playing with Royal New Zealand Navy and the Auckland Philharmonia. For the past several years Bill has focused on music education in Hamilton and Waikato region teaching across the range of age and ability and supporting the local orchestral scene and tutoring the YOW brass section.
Who else will be helping us?
Catherine Polglase is a freelance violinist, Suzuki violin teacher and conductor. She studied modern and baroque violin, completing a Bachelor of Arts (Music and History) and Diploma of Teaching (Secondary) at the University of Auckland. She studied conducting under Karen Grylls, Rita Paczian and Chad Davenport while teaching in the classroom, directing and conducting a range of music ensembles and orchestras in four large Auckland Music Departments from 1994 to 2003. Since moving to Hamilton, Catherine has performed on modern and baroque violin with NZ Barok, Opus and Vox Barok. Catherine is the Associate Conductor for Youth Orchestra Waikato and Conductor for the Rusty Player Orchestra.
You will also be supported by YOW Academy tutors and YOW senior Tuākana leaders.
How do I register for YOW Academy?
It's easy! Click on the link below and fill in all your details to register for the YOW Academy.
