An integral part of our orchestral core from our very beginning, violinist Kate Walshe has served our orchestra for close to 46 years, both as first and second violin. Ahead of Kate’s retirement at the end of our 2026 mainstage season in late November, Auckland Phil musicians Joella Pinto and Martin Roberts sat down with her to reflect on her commitment to our ensemble right from its very beginnings.
JP: As a founding member of the Auckland Regional Orchestra (now the Auckland Philharmonia), your legacy and commitment to this ensemble is inspirational. In what ways have you seen the ensemble change and evolve since its creation in 1980?
KW: When the Auckland Symphonia ceased operating in mid-1980, I was part of a group of players who accessed some funding and registered a new orchestra, the Auckland Regional Orchestra. It started with few people, and therefore, the repertoire was mainly smaller classical works. We only rehearsed at night as most people had other jobs — posties, office workers, teaching and so on.
With more funding, we could gradually expand to include more brass, percussion and string musicians, and could perform bigger works, such as Tchaikovsky and even Mahler! The full-timers went on a basic weekly retainer, which was supplemented by an hourly rate when we worked. Summer was a very lean time!
We had started as a collective so the whole orchestra met every week to discuss things like work schedules, auditions and repertoire, and everyone had an equal vote. It was time-consuming but we all felt as if we had a stake in the orchestra’s success. Morale was very high, and we did quite a few fundraising gigs for free to help the finances. The orchestra grew as funding increased and attracted players from around the world. We eventually became management run and are now the highly professional organisation you see and hear today!
JP: What advice would you offer to anyone who is considering a career in music in today’s world?
KW: If you have the passion and commitment, go for it! It was probably a bit easier in my day as rent and house prices were cheaper, but we still had to juggle orchestra, teaching and other part-time jobs to make a living. In my opinion, the arts could be better supported financially in New Zealand, however it’s a very fulfilling career and such a privilege to play this wonderful repertoire every day with such talented colleagues!
JP: What was your journey to the violin and the orchestra?
KW: I started playing later in life by today’s standards (at the age of 9) and originally wanted to play the piano but was steered towards the violin. I had the good fortune to live in Christchurch where there was a wonderful organisation called the Christchurch School of Instrumental Music, which provided teaching, chamber music and 7 graded orchestras every Saturday morning – this inspired in me a love of orchestral playing. This eventually led to a violin performance degree at University of Canterbury and playing in the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra to fund my studies. Then to the ill-fated Auckland Symphonia and the rest is history!
JP: Is there a favourite work that you’ve enjoyed coming back to time and again over the years?
KW: Although I enjoy most works the Auckland Phil plays, my favourites are the big ones — Richard Strauss and Mahler! Luckily, in the last 20-30 years, we’ve had the player numbers to perform these works quite regularly. There’s nothing like sitting in the middle of the orchestra playing Strauss - I will miss that! Outside of the classical sphere, I also enjoy jazz and rock, having come of age in the 70s!
JP: After 46 years in the orchestra, I’m sure you’re looking forward to a change of scenery. Is there anything you are planning on doing in the coming years?
KW: I haven’t got any solid plans, but they include travel (one of my daughters lives overseas), book club, film festivals and going to more jazz and local music concerts. I’ve always joked that I would learn the steel drums in my retirement, so we’ll see! Of course, I’ll definitely miss playing in the orchestra, but it will be a chance to do some things I’ve never had the time for in the past.
Photo credit: Martin Roberts.