Mother's Day has special significance for Manawatū Sinfonia musicians this year.
The orchestra's concert on Mother's Day is a tribute to Clace Schwabe, well known to many as the mother of Palmerston North's own orchestra, quite apart from teaching instrumental music in the city's secondary schools. Schwabe died last year.
Musicians growing up in Palmerston North over the past 50 years will almost certainly have encountered her. Audiences and players alike will remember spotting the silver-haired French horn player in the back row in youth orchestra concerts.
In her memory, the sinfonia under guest conductor Peter van Drimmelen will perform her piece, Tutaki (Meeting), with viola soloist Jamie Oemcke.
"It is very much a New Zealand work," van Drimmelen says. "It's an exciting piece for the audience and I am honoured to conduct it."