The national orchestra is expected to perform with young local musicians, the Royal Corps of Musicians, Tonga's Police Band, as well as holding music workshops at several schools. They will also donate a timpani and drum kit to local musicians.

On 21 June, NZSO will join the Royal Corps of Musicians and the Royal Tongan Police Band for a combined performance.

The orchestra will then play side-by-side with musicians from Tupou College, during an evening extravaganza, which includes separate performances by the college’s musicians, on 23 June.

Workshops at schools will include music extracts and demonstrations.

Tour party

The touring orchestra includes 10 NZSO brass musicians, two NZSO percussionists, two NZSO Conducting Fellows, and three support staff.

NZSO Section Principal Trombonist David Bremner has taught and performed in Tonga for several years.

“Tonga is a very special place for me. They have had such a tough time recently, and we are so excited to be heading over to perform and work with the schools. I know the NZSO Brass and Percussion are going to have a huge impact over there, and we can’t wait to perform and teach in this wonderful country.”

Bremner, who is also Music Director of the National Band of New Zealand, said Tonga has a very proud tradition of brass playing.

“We hope to inspire the next generation of players. It would be incredible to see young players inspired by our trip to one day join the NZSO.”

Also more special are Tongans in the orchestra, namely conducting Fellows Anne Filimoehala and Sam Uatahausi, who are training as conductors with the NZSO,

They will be presenters during the NZSO tour and visit some of the schools to talk about their achievements as musicians and as leaders in their community.

“For the tour, I am most looking forward to listening to top tier musicians. As brass is appreciated so dearly in Tonga, it is so amazing to be part of such an awesome motive and I am very excited to be part of it,” said Filimoehala.

“As a second-generation kiwi, my parents have always instilled Tongan values towards myself and my siblings. A connection with the NZSO team is one thing, but to have the opportunity to go with them to Tonga, there really are no words to describe how grateful and blessed I feel to give back in a way I never have imagined.”

Pasifika strategy

New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Carmel Sepuloni said, this is a fantastic opportunity and a key milestone in the NZSO’s transformation to a National Orchestra representative of modern New Zealand.

“The NZSO recently developed their first ever Pasifika strategy and I’m very pleased with their progress embedding Te Tiriti principles into their organisation. This tour is another step on their fantastic journey.”

The tour funding is from the Cultural Diplomacy International Programme (CDIP) administered by Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Creative New Zealand, under its Pacific Arts Strategy, has funded the two NZSO Conducting Fellow students.