NZSSSO - New Zealand Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra

The National Secondary Schools Orchestral Courses were instituted in 1960 by the then National Advisor for Music, Bill Walden-Mills, as part of his policy of developing instrumental music in schools; courses being held each year in Christchurch and in Auckland, to which secondary students who have attained the required musical standard may apply.

Each course is funded by an annual grant from the Ministry of Education and by a small registration fee levied on the students.

Parents and supporters make an enormous contribution to the course, providing billets and assisting with supervision - important factors in the running of a successful course.

Since 1985 the Christchurch Itinerant teachers of Music (an Attached Unit at Hagley Community College) have as part of their jobs, responsibility for the holiday orchestral course which is now regarded as a worthwhile training ground for young players aspiring to membership of the National Youth Orchestra or ultimately to a career as a professional musician.

In 2006 the course members had the opportunity to participate in a workshop with the NZSO.

The courses are generally five or six days in length and finish with a public concert. The standard reached each year has remained high, to the extent full-scale works can be performed. The course is also run as an educational extension programme offering an orchestral experience to students who may not have the opportunity in their secondary school. Recent years have featured outstanding school students as soloists: A Chamber Quartet in 2007 with Kate Oswin, Jenny Cho Piano 2005: Blair Sinclair Trombonist 2004: Takumi Motokawa & Christopher Bruerton - percussionists 2003; Michelle Hsiao -piano 2002; Ben Morrison, Yoomi Sim, Thomas Lee, Broderick Lin-violins 2001; Sarah Buchan - violin 2000; Yoon Jung Kim - cello 1999; Chai-Nan Hung - violin 1998; Caroline Wu piano 1997; Mark Cookson clarinet 1996; Rachel Fuller piano 1995; Huy Nguyen Bui violin 1994; Jeremy Cullen composer/pianist 1993; Matthew Ross violin; Melissa Farrow & Hester Lees Jeffries recorders 1992; Carol Dodge piano 1991; Paula Jane Hamilton flute1990; Bernie Mann horn 1989; James Bush & Simon Rogers cellos 1988; Tony van Buren viola 1987; Eugene Albulescu piano 1986; Tim Emerson piano 1985.

Apart from the undoubted musical benefits of the course, the social aspect is also of great importance. The contacts and friendships which result from the weeks intense involvement in a challenging music programme are lasting and very important for an aspiring musician or music lover and should never be under estimated when assessing the course.

The venue for the NZSSS Orchestral Course will be Burnside High School and the Aurora Centre, Christchurch.