Rhapsody Rotorua youth music festival returns

Photo/Supplied

For the 17th consecutive year, Rotorua is hosting some of Australia and New Zealand's most talented music students as they congregate for Rhapsody Rotorua, a week-long festival celebrating music and emerging talent.

Rhapsody Rotorua is Australia and New Zealand's premier youth musician festival, attracting more than 800 students from more than 20 New Zealand and Australian schools.

The brainchild of WorldStrides, a global leader in educational travel, the week-long festival offers a unique experience for overseas students to experience Maori culture and Rotorua's unique attractions while having fun and learning together. It's not just fun and games for these talented pupils as their performances are adjudicated. The participating schools also perform two free public concerts for the local community.

Destination Rotorua international trade manager Patrick Dault said hosting Rhapsody Rotorua was a great opportunity for Rotorua.

"Not only does it support the bridging of cultures through music but it gives young people an opportunity to have fun in one of New Zealand's most beloved destinations."

Rhapsody Rotorua's two free public concerts showcase a variety of genres playing the classics to the latest hits; including concert bands, big bands, orchestras, choirs, strings, percussion, jazz and other ensembles.

Concert details

7pm Thursday June 29: Individual school performances from local and international ensembles. Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.

7pm Friday June 30, Gala performances from honours, festival bands, orchestras and choirs; plus Rodger Fox Quartet with jazz singer Erna Ferry. Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre.

Tickets are free and are available from Ticketmaster.co.nz or at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre. The festival runs from this Monday to July 1.