Music camp participants to give public performances

Strains of Tchaikovsky will resound around Oamaru in the new year, as musicians taking part in the annual Waitaki Music Camp perform for the public.

Now in its 17th year, the camp brings together musicians from across New Zealand and Australia for 10 days of training under the eye of professional players from the Auckland Philharmonia, Christchurch Symphony, Southern Sinfonia and New Zealand Symphony Orchestras.

The camp takes place at Waitaki Boys' High School from January 3 to 13. Participants will perform Danzon No 2 by Marquez and Tchaikovsky's sixth symphony at a public concert on January 12, but are also scheduled to perform lunchtime recitals at the Oamaru Public Gardens, Oamaru Sunday market and Oamaru Opera House.

Organiser Paul Claman said the camp started in 1997 as a throwback to the Otago University extension department music camps of the 1970s and '80s.

"The response to the first camp was great with about 60 players attending, and it has grown from there with usually 70 or so in the orchestra these days. Many young players have attended for several years in a row and then gone on to further study and professional careers.

"Along with them, we have a loyal group of experienced amateur musicians who just love to come and play for their summer holiday."

Enrolments for the camp were already being received, and anyone interested in applying for a place could do so at www.waitakimusic.org, he said.