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NZSSSO 2025
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Contact Us:

Nicky Fogden-Smith

nzssso@hagley.school.nz

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NZSSSO - New Zealand Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra

1 month ago

PHOTOS. You can find a whole bunch of photos here and it's very much a mix - some are good and some others not so much! You are welcome to use them but I would appreciate a credit if you do (Georgina Rees-Stevenson). I will also post some of the fun ones from the social activity. ... See MoreSee Less

NZSSSO 2025 photos - Google Drive

drive.google.com

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NZSSSO - New Zealand Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra is attending an event.

2 months ago

Meet the soloists! We are very excited to have past NZSSSO members Sho and Ciaran as our soloists in The All-Seeing Sky by John Psathas.Ciaran WrightCiaran is a gifted percussionist who has recently completed his bachelor of music at the University of Canterbury. His percussive journey started at the age of 10 when he started getting drum lessons. Since then, Ciaran’s love for percussion has grown exponentially, leading to many great experiences and opportunities.Ciaran's orchestra experiences started in the CSMF Representative Orchestra, which soon led to being invited into the Burnside High School Orchestra, followed by getting into CYO, then NZSO NYO, and finally the CSO in 2024. Throughout this time there have also been many experiences in smaller chamber groups, community orchestras, and solo performances, which have been monumental opportunities in Ciaran’s development as a musician. Some of Ciaran’s achievements include being a semi-finalist in the 2021 NZCT Chamber Music Contest, successful auditions for the NZSO National Youth Orchestra (2021-2024), the Burnside High School 1976 School Council Cup for Contribution to Instrumental Music, playing for the CSO in 2023 followed by successfully auditioning for the CSO casual list in 2024, and completing a Bachelor of Music in 2024 alongside being awarded the Michael Toovey Memorial Prize.Ciaran is now working towards auditioning for the Australia National Academy of Music (ANAM), where if successful he will study for 3 years, developing his skills even further to help him achieve his dream of playing in a professional orchestra full time.Sho WoodhouseSho is a nationally and internationally award-winning percussionist, currently pursuing a BMus at the University of Canterbury under Associate Professor Justin Dehart. Sho has loved music since a young age, and his passion for Japanese Taiko Drumming led him to dive deep into the world of percussion. He has found success in various contests, including but not limited to NZCT Chamber Music, Brass Band National Percussion Solos, and NZSM National Jazz Drum Solos. More recently, Sho has competed in the Semifinals of the Great Plains Marimba Competition in the United States and has been endorsed to attend a specialty Marimba course at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee ... See MoreSee Less

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NZSSSO - New Zealand Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra is attending an event.

2 months ago

Meet the NZSSSO Guest Conductor: Leonard Weiss. NZSSSO is thrilled to welcome Leonard as our conductor for 2025. Australian conductor Leonard Weiss CF is rapidly building a dynamic career, having been selected as a Conducting Fellow for the 2025 Tanglewood Music Center. Under the mentorship of Andris Nelsons, he will conduct approximately a dozen concerts with the TMC Orchestra this summer, culminating in a prestigious 2026 mainstage debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, shared with Nelsons as part of their subscription series.As the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's Cybec Assistant Conductor, Leonard recently made his debut at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl and continues to lead a variety of exciting programs this season, including national radio broadcasts and his Melbourne Recital Centre debut. Some of his upcoming engagements include his first appearance with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and return appearances in New Zealand. As a champion of living composers, Leonard has treasured the opportunity to premiere new music in Australia, New Zealand, and the USA, fuelled by a passion for both classical and contemporary music.Prior to his MSO appointment, Leonard was the 2022 New Zealand Assistant Conductor in Residence, working particularly closely with the Auckland Philharmonia. Leonard studied with Marin Alsop at Peabody Conservatory, where he was recognised as their “rising star” and received the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s BSO-Peabody Fellowship. Leonard has participated in masterclasses with Riccardo Muti, Gianandrea Noseda, the Salzburg Festival, and the Australian Conducting Academy.Among his recent accolades, Leonard has received the Mr and Mrs Gerald Frank New Churchill Fellowship, an Australia Council Career Development Grant, and an Ars Musica Australis Arts Fellowship. Leonard was a finalist for 2016 Young Australian of the Year, and was named 2016 Young Canberra Citizen of the Year for Youth Arts and Multimedia. https://www.leonardweiss.com ... See MoreSee Less

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Georgina Rees-Stevenson/NZSSSO 2019
Photography Anthony McKee

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