musicians, friends.
HBO is the premier orchestral ensemble in Hawke’s Bay providing symphonic, operatic, and choral music for the community.
The orchestra has a core of local musicians, supplemented by a network of professional musicians from around the country. These musicians are invited to bring the orchestra to full strength and allow HBO to play repertoire of significant standard.
HBO has welcomed many leading New Zealand musicians to perform with the orchestra, including NZSO concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppänen, NZSQ violinst Helene Pohl, NZSO principal cellist Andrew Joyce, NZSQ cellist Rolf Gjelsten, NZSM professor Jian Liu and concert pianist Michael Houston.
The orchestra regularly accompanies the Napier Civic Choir and works closely with Festival Opera.
The HBO appointed Jose Aparicio as its Principal Conductor in 2017, a role he remains in today.
Join the HBO
Local Players
We are always pleased to hear from musicians who are keen to join HBO. The orchestra has a diverse local membership and we welcome interest from players from the community.
Invited Players
If you are not based in Hawke’s Bay but would like to be considered as an invited player, you are welcome to submit an expression of interest.
Community serving community.
A few of us:
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Cam
Lawyer by day, Cameron is our principal cellist. Having studied music before law, Cam has played with all major Auckland orchestras before moving to Napier to pursue his career as a crown prosecutor.
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Bronwyn & Kathy
Two of our veterans, Bronwyn & Kathy are two of the longest serving members. They are also sisters! These two are the stars who make sure we have a ready-to-go practise hall and a cup of tea of a Wed night.
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Teresa
Theresa is new to Hawke’s Bay Orchestra. A music teacher, and now an orchestral clarinettist, Theresa joined our woodwind section taking everything in her stride (even when asked to play Basset horn!).
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Alice
Alice, event stylist and violist, studied classical music in NZ and Toronto before moving back to HB. She is often found playing with NZSO during her winter off-season, and is the current President of HBO.
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Sarah
Sarah is a cellist in HBO. She’s also a pianist, piano teacher, and writer. After a 25 year break, she dusted off her cello and tightened her bow and is absolutely loving being part of an orchestra once again.