The increasing number of well-attended concerts with major international artists and attractive programmes, along with its innovative marketing and positive media image, have seen a remarkable change in public perception over the past few years.

The NZSO gave its first public performance in March 1947; its first (and current) Music Director, James Judd, was appointed in 1999. The orchestra numbers 90 players and gives over a hundred performances each year. These include seasons of major symphonic repertoire in seven centres and a wide range of ‘special’ programmes. It is involved in education programmes, performs family and schools concerts, accompanies opera and ballet productions and records for television, films (including Lord of the Rings) and radio. It commissions and performs New Zealand music and has a long recording history, which has seen it move into the world market and win international awards. The NZSO also administers the NZSO Chamber Orchestra which has its own concert series and complements the symphony orchestra in programming, and the NZSO National Youth Orchestra.

http://www.nzso.co.nz