With Mr Dodd at our helm, the Logan Park Philharmonic Orchestra has had another strong year.

Although rehearsals were initially delayed due to Covid, we worked hard to polish our repertoire in time for the annual tour day. This was a huge success! Our performances at George Street Normal School, Ōpoho School, Summerset Retirement Village, and the Dunedin Public Art Gallery, were met with enthusiasm. Thirty students somehow managed to fit onto the bus with the help of driver Brian, alongside many double basses, cellos, and trumpets. In this sense, it was a blessing that our timpani player Gideon was absent!

The diverse programme effectively entertained a variety of audiences. Some primary school students expressed their enjoyment by dancing along to the Latin American rhythms in Francis Feese’s ‘Caribbean Carnival’. This was wholesome, and very motivating. My personal highlight was from Tchaikovsky’s Symphony #2 - ‘The Little Russian’. I like how the orchestra plays the beginning notes in unison.

It has been so enjoyable to transition from a year nine (pretending to play the tricky parts) to a year thirteen. Seeing each section work towards a common goal is immensely satisfying; playing in an orchestra is a unique experience. I encourage all the Logan Park musicians reading this to get involved!