Haere Mai Rangatahi! Spotlight on Youth

Learn the fundamentals of good conducting technique, score study and development of season design from our very own Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor, Benjamin Northey, and visiting conductors.

Cost: $500

TO APPLY: Please submit the highlights of your musical CV (1 page max.), a cover letter outlining your conducting aspirations, and a short video of a rehearsal or performance you were involved in (3 mins max.), to selena.prior@cso.co.nz

Applications close 5pm, Monday 15 December 2025

Schedule

• Thursday 19 Feb with Ingrid Martin
• Sunday 3 May with Anna Duczmal-Mróz
• Wednesday 3 June with Leonard Weiss
• Wednesday 29 July with Benjamin Northey
• Wednesday 28 October with Benjamin Northey

Thanks to the generosity of Irelands Real Estate, CSO offers young musicians the opportunity to intern with CSO and get a taste of pursuing a career in the world of orchestral music.

TO APPLY: Email your CV and cover letter outlining your musical aspirations and what you hope to get out of this experience to selena.prior@cso.co.nz

Applications close 5pm, Tuesday 3 February 2026

Auditions to be held Thursday 19 February 2026

A beautiful three-quarter violin, kindly donated by Barbara Slater, is available for loan to an enthusiastic young violin student for one year.

2026 application date to be announced. Register your interest.

We’re welcoming exceptional young musicians to join us for mentorship, workshops, and opportunities to spend time developing techniques and musicianship supported by our leading CSO musicians.

In 2026 we're offering opportunities for junior strings, intermediate strings, junior woodwinds, and a condensed pilot opportunity for junior brass musicians.

Discover Elevate and apply now!

An opportunity for young players to get a bit of extra feedback about their playing, or advice on how to reach musical goals from our CSO musicians and their wealth of experience.

TO APPLY: Submit your musical CV and a cover letter outlining how having a mentor would help you to follow your dreams selena.prior@cso.co.nz

Applications close 5pm, Tuesday 3 February

Rangatahi young people play a vital role in shaping the future of CSO. This team of young creative thinkers helps us explore new ways to make a difference for young people in our community.

Be part of the future of CSO. We want to know what you're into and offer the opportunity to think creatively about what a symphony orchestra could achieve.

If this sounds like you, please send your CV and a short cover letter outlining why you'd like to be involved to selena.prior@cso.co.nz

Applications close 5pm, Friday 20 February

Meetings will be held 5pm to 6pm:

• Friday 6 March
• Friday 7 August
• Friday 30 October

In 2026 we are super excited to be launching our CSO Youth Club! (This programme replaces our CSO Ambassador programme.)

Are you, or do you know, a rangatahi who is intermediate or secondary-aged, and keen to get to know other like-minded CSO fans? As a CSO Youth Club member you’ll be the voice on the ground, letting your school and community know what’s coming up. You’ll also be responsible for encouraging other rangatahi to get involved and bringing friends along to CSO concerts — all while tuning in to the excitement of the orchestra.

Discover CSO Youth Club and sign up now!

For young musicians of primary and intermediate age, join CSO musicians for a creative holiday programme across three mornings in the July school holidays.

9.30am to 12pm

15, 16 and 17 July 2026

Cost: $150

Sign up now!

Registrations will remain open until event capacity is reached. Register early to avoid missing out!

Dreaming of your chance to perform with CSO? We want to hear from you! We’re offering aspiring young musicians a chance to feature as a guest soloist with CSO.

TO APPLY: Please submit a CV and cover letter, including the piece you would like to perform (6mins max.) to selena.prior@cso.co.nz

Applications close Friday 24 April.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to audition. Auditions to be held Thursday 22 June.