Play it forward: Ways to share orchestral music experiences with your children and why it’s important

This April, TVNZ’s Toi Time cast join our Auckland Philharmonia orchestra to perform the children’s concerts, Tunes 4 Tamariki: Toi Time. Over four fun, interactive and educational performances in Central Auckland and the North Shore, Toi Time characters Jojo (Taylor Rogers), Buzz (Reuben Butler) and Māia (Awhimai Fraser) will join the Auckland Philharmonia to explore the magical world of music through sing-along, dance-along fun. You can look forward to hearing orchestral arrangements of music from the Toi Time show, as well as other familiar family favourites, ‘Incy Wincy Spider’ and ‘Twinkle Twinkle Little Star’.

These concerts have been specifically designed with preschoolers and early primary-aged children in mind. Tamariki-friendly elements over the one-hour performances include opportunities to have a go at conducting, sing and dance along with the music, join a walk through the orchestra while the musicians are playing to see the instruments up close, and meet-and-greet their favourite Toi Time cast members. Ahead of the performances, free pre-concert activities include face painting, musician ‘show & tells’, and a dance floor to practise their moves.

These concerts kick off Auckland Philharmonia’s 2024 Tunes 4 Tamariki series of children’s music concerts (formerly APO 4 Kids) that are delivered as part of the orchestra’s Learn & Participate programme. For more information click the button below.

Join our hunt for a wolf on the loose in June at Peter and the Wolf with Dynamotion, which combines the best of comedy and live music into one unforgettable children’s event! Designed for primary-aged children, our concerts in partnership with Dynamotion have become a must-see.  Prokofiev’s symphonic tale of Peter and the Wolf has delighted tamariki for generations, and this special production gives it a Kiwi twist!

Super-talented comedy dance troupe Dynamotion are back (following the success of 2023’s Carnival of the Animals) for another hilarious family-friendly retelling of a beloved musical classic!

Expect silly costumes, funny characters and Prokofiev’s wonderful score as Dynamotion and the Auckland Philharmonia bring Peter and the Wolf to life. This is creative storytelling to entertain the whole whānau. For more information click the button below.

Our popular Community Classics series gives you a chance to take the whole whānau along to hear Auckland’s orchestra for free, and is our way of giving back the gift of music to the wonderful city we all live in.

In 2024 we celebrate music inspired by Shakespeare. The Bard has influenced many aspects of life, arts and culture, including music. The concerts will include extracts from A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo & Juliet, West Side Story and lots of other music with Shakespearean connections.

With Community Classics concerts in Central, North and South Auckland this year, don’t miss this special opportunity to see our full orchestra perform for free.

Auckland Philharmonia in Schools is a bespoke music programme for Auckland's schools, offering a range of opportunities for students to create, access, learn and enjoy music. From attending our popular Kiwi Kapers or Discovery concerts, to in-school workshops or ensemble performances, a wide range of options for schools are available.

On Sunday 8 September, community musicians of all ages and abilities will gather together for a free afternoon of spectacular music-making at our Community Bash event in the Auckland Town Hall. Anyone can take part in this popular annual community initiative; from experienced performers and budding young talent, through to people who haven’t picked up their instrument for many years or sung in a choir before. It’s a chance to have fun, perform alongside our professional musicians and connect with others through orchestral music.

Hundreds of community instrumentalists and singers will rehearse music together for two hours alongside our musicians, then the doors open to the public to watch the epic final combined performance. Registrations are open now so sign up to get involved!

Throughout April, keep an eye on our Auckland Philharmonia Facebook page as we’ll be sharing ideas for how you can engage children with the orchestra and music at home. From listening to classical music over breakfast as a great calming way to start the day, to Tchaikovsky dance-alongs, children’s percussion ‘orchestra’ time, or fun music-themed activities, there’s loads of free and fun ways to share your love of music with the next generation.