This year has been a quiet one for the orchestra, focussing more on developing our repertoire than performing, but it has been exciting nonetheless. 

The orchestra has grown to a roll of 40, and were key players in the Dunedin Secondary Schools’ Music Festival as well as putting on our own concert in late October - both of which were huge successes.

We have been incredibly lucky this year with regards to the members the orchestra has gained. Not only is the orchestra now huge, but every new member helps their section in a unique way. Mary has stepped into the shoes left empty by Aelyth Harrison leaving at the end of last year to support the wind section on bassoon; Alfred is now joined by Kayli on the french horn, and Tuhin rounding out the second violins, to name but few.

Our first main performance effort of the year was the Secondary Schools’ Music Festival. Logan Park has always been an important contributor to this concert and this year was no exception. We boasted several section leaders, including in percussion and oboe, and a significant portion of the general orchestra was Logan Park students - especially the cellos. The concert went incredibly well, especially considering how difficult some of the pieces were.

In order to showcase the impressive developments of the orchestra over the year, in late October the music department organised a fundraising concert for the students going to the Globe. The orchestra was supported by the jazz band, choir and a solo performance by Jimmy Robinson in this, with the orchestral performance occurring in the second half. It was fantastic to have the chance to finally perform the pieces we had been working on all year - in some cases, playing them all the way through for the first time - and the concert was very warmly received by parents, students, and teachers.

Logan Park students both current and former continue to have a strong presence in all sections of the Dunedin Youth Orchestra, which also had two performances this year. The Youth Orchestra is comprised of the best orchestral musicians under 25 (who audition, at least) and the tenacity of Logan Park’s presence really shows the quality of both the students and the teachers.

Sadly, as always the orchestra as always has to say goodbye to its Year 13’s, who are often important to their section. Not only do we lose more than half of the percussion section as Mitchell and I leave, but Hanna (oboe), Isla (2nd clarinet), Tuhin (2nd violin), and Frances (2nd trombone). I have definitely been proud to have been a part of the orchestra during of my time at Logan Park, and I’m sure my fellow Year 13’s can say the same especially after what we have achieved this year.