Music Leadership Project Launched for Aspiring Young Musicians

The NZ String Quartet (NZSQ) and Orchestras Central (OC) are excited to announce the launch of a new music leadership project for the string players of Youth Orchestra Waikato (YOW).

The NZSQ play side-by-side with the Youth Orchestra Waikato string section.

After a successful pilot workshop earlier in the year, both organisations saw the potential to develop a new kind of project focussing specifically on developing leadership and communication skills within an ensemble setting. Through a series of annual side-by-side mentoring workshops and unconducted performance projects in Kirikiriroa Hamilton, this new initiative will see aspiring young musicians from YOW rehearse intensively with and perform alongside the NZSQ musicians.

“The NZSQ Trust are delighted to be expanding our education mahi to encompass professional development opportunities with the specific aim of nurturing confident and empowered musical leaders for the future. Together with OC we’re delighted to be developing a new kind of project that has leadership at the core of its purpose. We’re excited to see where this could lead, and the wider benefits it could have for the music sector in Aotearoa.” - Marcus Norman, NZSQ Trust General Manager.

NZSQ second violinist, Monique, perfecting the bow strokes of the second violins from Youth Orchestra Waikato

This new initiative will culminate in a side-by-side performance each year as part of OC’s programme of public events and involve sessions on developing confident body language and physical gestures, communicating effectively, and resolving artistic differences in rehearsal. The aim is to provide insights into what it takes to be a musical leader, and the opportunity to develop and apply these skills in a supportive setting.