Auckland Phil are putting the twinkle back in Christmas with a sparkling selection of festive concerts for all. The orchestra’s popular Tunes 4 Tamariki concert series for under sixes and their whānau returns to the Bruce Mason Theatre (14 December) and the Auckland Town Hall (21 December) with a show entitled Christmas with Suzy, hosted by Kiwi icon Suzy Cato. Then new this year, the Christmas Cheer concert, presented by Walker & Hall Trust, brings together friends, and families with older tamariki, to enjoy carol singalongs and popular festive tunes in the Auckland Town Hall on 19 and 20 December.
Legendary Kiwi children's presenter Suzy Cato takes the reins of the sleigh in the Tunes 4 Tamariki: Christmas with Suzy concert. In this fun-filled interactive show, Suzy joins the Auckland Phil for Christmas singalong favourites ‘Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer’ and ‘Jingle Bells’, alongside merry orchestral music, and Suzy’s beloved original songs ‘Sprinkle a Little Sunshine’ and ‘See Ya, See Ya Later’.
Families return year-after-year for these lively concerts that are specially designed for preschoolers and early primary aged tamariki. Kid-friendly elements over the one-hour performances include opportunities to have a go at conducting, sing and dance along with the music, and join a walk through the orchestra while the musicians are playing to see the instruments up close. Ahead of the performances, free pre-concert activities include face painting, a musical instrument show & tell and arts and crafts.
Tunes 4 Tamariki: Christmas with Suzy is delivered by Auckland Philharmonia’s music education programme, Learn & Participate, thanks to the support of Auckland Live, The North & South Trust, and the Margaret Neutze Legacy Fund, and the orchestra’s core funders, Auckland Council, Creative NZ and Foundation North.
At $15 per person, or $50 for a Family Pass, Tunes 4 Tamariki: Christmas with Suzy is a wonderful way for young tamariki to join the fun and get into the spirit of the season.
For older tamariki and adults, Auckland Phil’s new Christmas Cheer concert, held in the spectacular setting of the Auckland Town Hall and full of chart-topping Christmas hits, is just the ticket to get in the festive spirit. Make it an unforgettable night out at the evening performance on Friday 19 December, or take the whole family to the matinee performance on Saturday 20 December.
The sparkling voices of Awhimai Fraser and Nic Kyle, together with the Auckland Philharmonia and The Graduate Choir New Zealand, will get audiences in the yuletide mood with a fantastic festive blend of modern Christmas favourites, orchestral classics and traditional seasonal carols.
Music is at the heart of any celebration, and this concert features popular carols and seasonal favourites ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’, ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You, ‘It’s Beginning to look a lot like Christmas’ and ‘Joy to the World’. Join the Auckland Phil to share in the music and (even) sing-along with whānau and friends to celebrate this special time of year.
