Auckland Phil performs at Commonwealth Summit in Samoa

This week, we added a noble string to our bow with a performance during the 2024 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Samoa. Four Auckland Phil professional string players visited Samoa for three days to represent Aotearoa at the CHOGM Commonwealth Song Relay, lead workshops, perform alongside local musicians and build a deeper understanding of music education for Samoan communities.

This was Auckland Phil’s first visit to the Pacific Islands and is the start of a new ongoing collaboration between the orchestra and Sol Fa Music, a Samoa-based music education service. During the first two days of their Samoa visit, Auckland Phil’s Gill Ripley (violin), Ben Harrison (viola), Karen French (cello), and Tim Shacklock (double bass) met with musicians from Sol Fa Music and representatives from Commonwealth Resounds.

The professional musicians led instrumental workshops and rehearsals of specially arranged music, which were performed with the Sol Fa musicians at the Closing Ceremony for the Commonwealth Youth Forum during CHOGM, attended by the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Dame Patricia Scotland.

The aim of this collaboration was to offer invaluable mentorship and professional development for the Samoan musicians and boost their preparations for their own musical performance as background accompaniment to the CHOGM Kings Banquet.

A project goal was also to support the professional growth of Sol Fa Music Samoa staff through guidance on training needs and priorities, fostering a long-term collaboration and a deeper understanding of music education in Samoa. This first stage of the collaboration was funded through the generous support of the Margaret Engering Music Trust.

Thomas Hamill, Auckland Philharmonia’s Senior Director of Strategy and Engagement is excited to see this music outreach project come to life; “Working with the Sol Fa musicians and staff alongside colleagues from Commonwealth Resounds, embracing their cultural practices, and bringing this knowledge back to our Learn & Participate programme, supports our work across Tāmaki Makaurau and our mission to share orchestral music with the region’s diverse communities.

“The Sol Fa and Commonwealth Resounds collaboration represents an exciting opportunity to provide valuable musical experiences to this vibrant community, deepening their connection to the arts and celebrating their heritage. This project is a wonderful addition to our community outreach and musical education programme — with the exciting opportunity for our musicians to perform in front of Commonwealth Leaders!”

This project was delivered by Auckland Philharmonia’s Learn & Participate music education programme, which provides concerts and experiences that bring together the orchestra’s professional musicians with communities, schools, and individuals.