Funding hits the right notes

Auckland Philarmonia Orchestra. Photograph courtesy of Dieter Wuschanski.

Biggest concert this season: Auckland Philarmonia Orchestra (APO), supported by members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra will perform Gustav Mahler's monumental 6th Symphony this month.
Photograph courtesy of Dieter Wuschanski.

From City Scene, published on 9 August, 2009.

The financial security of 10 organisations providing services and experiences to people throughout the Auckland region is now more secure.

This is thanks to significant new funding under the Auckland Regional Amenities Funding Act, which was passed in to law in August 2008.

Auckland City Council supported the act, which means that seven Auckland councils now proportionately fund the costs of organisations (such as the Auckland Philarmonia Orchestra, pictured) that are widely used and valued by residents across the Auckland region.

Other organisations also benefiting from the funding include Auckland Rescue Helicopter, Stardome Observatory and Surf Life Saving Northern Region.

In 2007, Auckland City Council gave approximately $3.1 million to these organisations, compared with $326,000 from the other six Auckland councils combined. Funding from the seven councils will total $9 million in the first year, as of 1 July 2009.

APO in Mahler 6 debut performance

Auckland Philarmonia Orchestra (APO) will perform Gustav Mahler's monumental 6th Symphony this month, which will see 109 musicians gather on stage for the exciting occasion.

APO's debut performance of Mahler 6 will be the 'biggest' concert the orchestra has held this season, and will include some members of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra coming up to perform for the event.

APO, which usually consists of 68 musicians, will have a brass section that is double in size with eight French horns, six trumpets and four trombones. As part of the performance's "three hammer blows of fate", a hammer measuring 1.5m has been flown in from Australia especially for the occasion.

The concert, which is part of the APN News & Media Premier Series, will take place on Thursday, 20 August at the Auckland Town Hall. For tickets phone 0800 BUYTICKETS.