Wheako Experience

Music Trails

On the Road

Music Trails

If you have a small person in your life that you want to introduce to music, this is for you! Hosted by our friends at Christchurch City Libraries Ngā Kete Wānanga o Ōtautahi, Music Trails are interactive performances featuring leading CSO musicians, designed for tamariki and their whānau.

10.30am – 11.15am ALL

Free Admission

No registration required


Event Passed New Brighton Library, Strings & Harp, feat. Loopy Tunes
Event Passed Matuku Takotako Sumner Centre, Brass
Event Passed Tūranga, Strings & Harp, feat. Loopy Tunes
Event Passed Papanui Library, Brass Quintet
Event Passed Fendalton Library, Woodwind Quintet
Event Passed Te Hāpua Halswell Centre, Strings & Harp, feat. Loopy Tunes
Sat 14 Sept, Tūranga, Woodwind Quintet
Fri 11 Oct, Lyttelton Library, Brass Quintet
Fri 8 Nov, Leeston Library, Brass Quintet
Fri 22 Nov, South Library, Woodwind Quintet

On the Road

We're on the road and bringing outstanding live musical experiences to your neighbourhood! In 2024, we’re heading to Selwyn, Hanmer Springs, and Banks Peninsula for a day of free activities with our CSO musicians and your community. Music for tamariki, relaxed concerts, and interactive workshops are all on the cards so make sure to keep an eye on our socials for more details.

Banks Peninsula Event Passed

Hanmer Springs Event Passed

Selwyn Event Passed

Darfield Event Passed

Relaxed Performances

Rangatuone: Music from the Collective Imagination

Relaxed Performances

Traditionally, relaxed performances have attempted to serve those for whom mainstream concert attendance is challenging. CSO is committed to our Puoro ma te katoa Music for All kaupapa, and believe it is time Relaxed Performances were reimagined - making them more responsive to audiences with intellectual disabilities. Using some orchestral favourites, our 2024 ground-breaking Relaxed Performances will be disability-led, multi sensory and interactive. Dancers from Jolt will both present the programme, giving context to each movement, and perform, bringing this fascinating and colourful music to life.


Events Passed

Rangatuone: Music from the Collective Imagination

Get involved in a performance art experience with CSO musicians, guided by Aotearoa music legend, Riki Pirihi (Ngāti Wai, Ngāti Māhanga), an expert in the field of Conduction. Bring your instrument, voice, or anything that makes a sound (prior experience is optional!) and be part of this momentous occasion, where taonga pūoro harmoniously sit alongside Western classical instruments to create a world premiere like no other!


Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

Event Passed

Retirement Home Visits

Arvida Retirement Community Visits

Primary Plus Visits

Retirement Home Visits

We know it is not always possible for the senior members of our community to come to us, so we go to them. Our amazing CSO musicians love visiting Retirement Communities and their residents where health or mobility challenges create barriers to attending concerts. There is always something for everyone and the visit from our musicians will leave your residents uplifted and with a spring in their step. Guaranteed! If your community is interested in a visit, please contact selena.prior@cso.co.nz

Arvida Retirement Community Visits

Our Principal Partner, Arvida, has a mission to improve the lives of New Zealanders by transforming the ageing experience. We share that desire to improve the quality of life for those we come into contact with.We are delighted to share our love of music with the residents of Arvida Retirement Communities across Canterbury, and our wonderful Arvida quartet looks forward to presenting high quality concerts that offer enrichment and connection.

Primary Plus Visits

During Primary Plus visits, our musicians embed themselves in a school for a morning starting with a highly interactive demonstration to the whole kura school. This is followed by opportunity for selected classes to delve deeper into engaging, hands-on musical projects. These experiences can (and often do!) kick-start a life-long interest in music. If your school is interested in this experience, please contact selena.prior@cso.co.nz