Community Bash FAQs

A FREE event for all musicians of any age and ability to come together to play a programme of music alongside Auckland Phil musicians!

2pm – 4.30pm

Sunday 10 August 2025

Auckland Town Hall

Queen Street, Auckland CBD

ORCHESTRA ONLY
Tchaikovsky Selections from Romeo & Juliet Overture

ORCHESTRA & CHOIR
Beethoven 'Hallelujah' from Christ on the Mount of Olives 

Download the sheet music here! 

Music is split into beginner, intermediate & advanced parts

These are the approximate grade levels for each part:

• Beginner –  Grades 1 - 3
• Intermediate – Grades 4 – 6
• Advanced – Grade 7+

Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp (pedal only)

Woodwind: Piccolo, flute, oboe, cor anglais, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, contrabassoon, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone

Brass: French Horn, Trumpet, Tenor Trombone, Bass Trombone, Tuba

Percussion: Timpani and full percussion section

• Your instrument! (orchestra only)
• A music stand (orchestra only)
• Sheet music
• A pencil
• Double Bass players: your own stool
• Percussion players: you may need to bring your own percussion (we will let you know in advance!)
• Bottle of water and a snack

• Practise your parts!
• Play or sing along with recordings via spotify, youtube or wherever you access music!
• If you’re having tuition, take your parts to your teacher so you’re extra prepared for the big day
• Encourage your friends and whānau to register or come and watch!

• Here’s the thing - the Community Bash is all about participation, not perfection! There is no pressure to play all the notes – we’d rather you enjoy the experience of playing with hundreds of other musicians, rather than worrying about getting every little bit right!
• If there are any parts or bars that you find too challenging, you can drop out of these sections and join back in with the sections you are able to play.
• We’ll have members from the Auckland Philharmonia playing in each section, who can help you if you lose your place in the music or need a little help!
• If you are playing an intermediate or advanced part, you can always go down to the beginner part if you find it more manageable.

• If you’re changing which difficulty level you’re playing, you do not need to notify us (e.g. advanced flute to beginner flute)
• If you are changing your instrument (e.g. flute to tuba), please let us know ()

• Auckland Philharmonia is committed to ensuring accessible and safe experiences for all participants.
• If you have not noted your accessibility needs in your registration form, please email us at
• For participants with audio sensitivity, we can provide Phonak headsets with adjustable volume control (available upon request in advance)
• Wheelchair users are provided with designated spaces within the orchestra that are easily accessible but not removed from the action!
• Companions – those who bring usually bring a companion to events are welcome to have their companion sit with them within the orchestra during the event
• For blind participants, we work with BLENNZ to create braille sheet music for the choir pieces
• For participants who have low vision, we can provide large print sheet music upon request
• We are always looking for ways to expand our accessibility measures – if you’d like to make any suggestions we’d love to hear from you. Email us at

1.30pm: Doors open for registration
2.00pm: Separate orchestra and choir rehearsals
3.20PMpm: Break
3.30pm: Orchestra and choir rehearse together
3.50pm: Break
4.10pm: Finale Performance!
4.30pm: Finish

• Yes they can! They are welcome to watch both the rehearsal and performance.
• There’s no need to book a ticket, they can simply turn up on the day.
• Be sure to invite your friends and whānau!
• The open rehearsals are 2pm – 4pm
• The finale performance is 4.10pm – 4.30pm

Registrations closed at the beginning of August.

We'd love to hear from you!

Email us at