Experience at the New Zealand Youth Symphonic Wind Band

In July I spent four days in the North Island playing flute with the New Zealand Youth Symphonic Winds, conducted by Simon Brew. NZYSW is a concert band that meets twice to play and perform in a concert in the North Island. The first time that the band got together for 2018 was in January, in Auckland. We spent four days there practising for two concerts at the end of the programme. The second time the band met was for the winter event. For this, I flew to Palmerston North to play in a concert then, after two days, we travelled to Wellington to perform another concert.

NZYSW has been a really beneficial experience for me in terms of my flute playing. Being surrounded by so many amazing musicians is a great environment to be in and I found that at the end of the programme I didn’t want to leave. The repertoire that is played ranges from fun pieces, like the ‘Lion King’ and ‘The Incredibles’, to more technically challenging pieces such as ‘An American in Paris’. For me, one of the biggest highlights of my trip would definitely be seeing NZSO (New Zealand Symphony Orchestra) perform in Palmerston North and getting to meet and talk to the flautists after the show. I would recommend this band to anyone who enjoys playing their instrument and wants to make music friends that you will have for life.