Hawke's Bay schools unite in music

Conductor Charlotte Van Asch. Photo / Duncan Brown

Take 18 schools, 180 instruments and put them together in a room - the result? Hopefully beautiful music.

The Hawke's Bay Primary and Intermediate Schools Orchestral "Play In" is now in its third year and will be held at Havelock North Intermediate School Auditorium from 9am to 2pm tomorrow.

There will be a variation of instruments, with participating schools sending anywhere from two to 34 children.

Conductor Charlotte Van Asch selected five songs which were re-arranged to suit all abilities and sent out via email.

For the past few months, individual groups have been practising the tunes, before coming together during two rehearsals throughout the day.

"There are 56 violins, three cellos, 18 flutes - besides that we have got recorders for about 20 younger players, they blend in surprisingly well with the rest of the orchestra," event organiser Ngaire Shand said.

"It creates an opportunity for young children to experience being in an orchestral group; some of these schools don't even have an orchestra."

Schools taking part are: Hastings Intermediate, Havelock North Intermediate, Te Mata School, Taikura Rudolf Steiner, Hastings Christian School, Pukehamoamoa School, Hereworth, Woodford House, St Marys, Haumoana, Heretaunga Intermediate, Iona College, Waipukurau Primary, OngaOnga, Taradale Primary, Taradale Intermediate, Mahora and Porritt.

After polishing the performance, students will hold a 1.30pm concert, open to the public for a gold-coin donation.