60 Years of Harmony with you! Dunedin Symphony Orchestra at 60

The DSO evolved from the 4YA Studio Orchestra (1930s-58) and The Dunedin Concert Orchestra (1958- 66), with the latter providing backing for Kiri Te Kanawa when she won the Mobil Song Quest in 1965. In 1966, this orchestra became the Dunedin Civic Orchestra under conductor Peter Platt, Professor of Music at the Otago University; right from the start, the town and gown relationship has been close. Among those playing in the inaugural concert was Jack Speirs (viola), who had been recently appointed to the University and who went on to become musical director of the orchestra from 1974-89.

The Dunedin City Council and benefactors, particularly Maurice Joel, helped fund the orchestra, but essentially it was amateur for the first 18 years. Things changed in the 1980s first under Bob Bickerton and then Nicholas McBryde as it became semi-professional with the aid of Arts Council funding. The last 30 years have seen the standards improve and the orchestra flourish, under the general manager Philippa Harris’ capable leadership. It has been central to the city’s music scene, providing the accompaniment for many operas, shows, ballets and choral concerts, and giving concerts in schools. More recently, the orchestra has diversified its offerings considerably, with educational projects such as the DSO Academy and Play with the Orchestra, as well as scholarships for university students and student composer workshops. There has been engagement with popular music via concerts featuring Dunedin Sound bands (‘Tally Ho!’) and ABBA, as well as film, art and literature (such as ‘Timeless Land’).

Many of the players have served in the orchestra for decades, with Patricia Leen setting the record to date: 58 years, followed by Patricia Dean (51), James Mackay (49) and Stephen Cranefield and Dean Hollebon (both 44). It shows the great loyalty and affection the players have for the orchestra. Concertmasters have also been key to the orchestra’s success, enjoying inspiring and stable tenures from players such as Sydney Manowitz and Tessa Petersen. Many international soloists have performed with the orchestra, including Nigel Kennedy, Nikolai Demindenko, and Johnny Dankworth, along with leading Kiwis such as Michael Houstoun, Jonathan Lemalu and Anna Leese, as well as the local City Choir Dunedin. Internationally renowned conductors have visited, such as Sir William Southgate, Nicholas Braithwaite, James Judd and Simon Over, but the orchestra has also supported local conductors such as Tecwyn Evans and Peter Adams.

The orchestra toured more in earlier days, including to Oamaru, Invercargill, Queenstown and Wānaka. On one occasion trumpeter Ken Smith missed the bus and the aria “the Trumpet shall sound” featured a gallant violin solo instead. In 2013, the orchestra was invited to perform in Japan which was a particular highlight. The orchestra has supported new music, with premières of many great works over the years; its programming has often been more adventurous than other orchestras.

The orchestra has had a number of different homes, including an old University building in Castle Street, the Orphans Club and the Carnegie Centre. Due to the generosity of Cally McWha and Lloyd Williams, the orchestra was able to move to Hanover Hall in 2016.

The really solid support the orchestra receives from Dunedin audiences also shows how it is at the heart of Dunedin’s cultural life. It is appreciated further afield via RNZ recordings and SOUNZ’ films as well. It continues to be supported by Creative NZ, the DCC and the Otago Community Trust, along with numerous sponsors and donors and trusts. I wish the DSO well for the next 60 years!

Anthony Ritchie