Susan Henson and Thomas Young first thought the Player Partnership Programme might have been intimidating but, since joining it, they’ve been having a lot of fun.

“It’s very welcoming,” said Thomas. “The CSO has never felt elitist the way some people might be afraid it could be, and people go out of their way to make you feel comfortable.”

He and Susan have gone to orchestral performances for many years all around the world and, for them, it was the CSO’s connection with the local community and new music commissioned by the orchestra that makes the CSO stand out for them.

“I really like the [orchestra’s] commissioned pieces and going to the world premieres,” said Susan. “You only get to hear a world premiere once and it’s rather special.”

“Again, it’s that connection and supporting local composers,” said Thomas.

Susan is a fan of the CSO’s Community Engagement programme. In fact, one of the first CSO activities they got involved with after moving to New Zealand in 2008 was the orchestra’s community engagement, where one of their children took part in a programme sitting on stage with the orchestra during a concert and playing along with the musicians for one piece . “It was a hugely impactful experience for an 11-year-old”.

They joined a syndicate because it was “less intimidating” and chose the Second Violin because one of the violinists in the section had taught their son. “It’s not a huge [financial] amount, and you feel a part of it,” said Susan. “Seeing [the musicians], postage stamp-sized on stage, and then seeing them up close at the bar afterwards is a different dimension. Then you go to three or four events and it’s quite nice seeing the same people and reestablishing that relationship.”

“We love getting a behind-the-scenes look at the open rehearsals [through the Player Partnership Programme] as well,” added Thomas. “I don’t have a musical background so it was fascinating for me to see the interaction between the players and the conductor and see which section is important, which bars they want to go over and over, and then being able to talk to them about it afterwards.”

It added to the richness of going to the concert and seeing the final product, said Susan, who also found it fascinating in 2021 to observe all the different styles of the various conductors.

They both also enjoyed the gatherings of Player Partners and being able to meet people who were deeply involved in the arts world.

“[The Player Partnership Programme] is really good value for what you get out of it,” said Thomas.

As a final bonus, he added: “If you’re interested in architecture, I would definitely suggest joining the PPP just to be invited into the Ron Ball Studio. It’s a bunch of access you don’t usually get.”