In 2026, the Auckland Phil brings one of Aotearoa’s favourite children's TV shows to life on stage. The award-winning animated series, Kiri and Lou, follows the adventures of two prehistoric creatures in an Aotearoa forest, Kiri (voiced by Liv Tennet) and Lou (by Jemaine Clement), as they explore the world of feelings through laughter, song and play.
Kiri and Lou in Concert features Auckland Philharmonia performing a selection of delightful
songs from the TV show, reimagined for an orchestra, alongside stunning stop-motion visuals from the episodes. Presented by Liv Tennet, this concert is a new collaborative endeavour between Auckland Phil, Orchestra Wellington and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and is sure to delight preschool and primary-aged tamariki and their grown-ups.
Highlights from Learn & Participate events in 2026 include the Tunes 4 Tamariki series of interactive one-hour concerts specially designed for under-sixes. Discover a fantabulous world where each creature plays its part in perfect harmony at Tunes 4 Tamariki: The Fantabulous Animal Orchestra. This animal-themed concert will roar with orchestral pieces about creatures and critters alongside a musical adaptation of Kiwi author Donovan Bixley’s sumptuous new children’s story, paired with projected colourful illustrations and narration from the author himself. At the end of the year, the series celebrates the festive season with a fun-filled Christmas extravaganza show, Tunes 4 Tamariki: Kirihimete. Both concerts offer free pre-concert children's activities to get into the spirit — including arts and crafts, facepainting, instrument show & tells, and more!
Next year, the Community Classics Series is At the Movies with three concerts across Tāmaki Makaurau celebrating film music. Auckland Phil musicians, plus some special guest artists, will perform extracts from memorable movie soundtracks, including The Piano, The King’s Speech and The Lord of the Rings. These uplifting afternoons for the whole whānau are a special opportunity to see Auckland’s orchestra perform familiar orchestral music in a relaxed setting.
In March, the popular In Your Neighbourhood series returns with a concert featuring Principal Cello Ashley Brown and fellow String Section Principals playing works by Beethoven, Ravel and New Zealand composer John Psathas. Then in September, Principal Flute Melanie Lançon leads a programme that showcases the virtuosity of the flute alongside the richness of strings, including the harp. This concert series is proudly supported by Davis Funeral Care.
A full slate of exciting community and education activity from our Learn & Participate department will be announced soon.