Boudewijn Keenan was one of 105 musicians from 44 schools around NZ who met for six days of rehearsals in Christchurch with the New Zealand Secondary Schools Symphony Orchestra.

The week was full of long rehearsals interrupted only by food and table tennis! 

They were led by Uwe Grodd, originally from Germany, but now Emeritus Professor of the University of Auckland. They performed two concerts at the end of the week and amazingly they played the Mahler Symphony Number 1 in D major (as well as other pieces). This is a very ambitious piece of beautiful music and the conductor did admit afterwards he wondered if they were going to manage it on day two. 

However, by day six it all came together and they put on a superb performance. It was a joy to see so many talented young musicians in NZ all working together and enjoying the thrill of playing something so challenging. 

It was a fantastic experience for them to meet with other students in their field from all around NZ and this year Dunedin was well represented.