A collaboration on Sunday, June 7 helping young string players get experience playing in a group will be the third such event in three years.
Youth Collab 2026, involving rehearsals from 2-4pm prior to a 40-minute public concert at 4pm, is on at the Taupō-nui-a-Tia College Hall.
Up to 23 student strings players – violin, cello and double bass are expected to participate, ranging from primary school to secondary school age.
Together with adults from Taupō Strings, there will be up to 35 strings players in the large, combined group at once, says Taupō Youth Strings conductor Richard Paull.
Six schools are represented amongst the student musicians (Taupō-nui-a-Tia College, Tauhara College, Taupo Intermediate School, Hilltop School, Waipahihi School, Marotiri School) as well as home school students.
Having now moved to a school hall (last year the collab was at Tauhara College) from the pipe band rooms, has meant the concert can accommodate more than just parents and families, says Paull.
“When we held it for the first time you had the usual parents and families come in but… we were really lucky just to cram everybody in. So having a hall is a big asset to getting a much bigger audience.”
The plan is to alternate between the two college halls in future.
The event provides younger students not even yet in the youth orchestra an opportunity to see how a strings orchestra works, he says.
“But also just to have a good time… there is no expectation to be absolutely perfect. Everybody is in the same boat. Everybody is learning together. The adults in our adult orchestra are extremely supportive, and I think those kids are going to absolutely enjoy the whole experience just by playing with each other, which I think is what youth collab is all about.”
The workshop and concert had become a tradition for Taupō Strings to organise – one they are very proud of.
“Every year we always enjoy playing with those younger kids, showing them some of our instruments. We've got two viola players, and I don't think many of our students have ever seen a viola in Taupō. So, this is the one day they can see one.
“The concert is open to everybody. It's not just parents or families… anyone that wants to support our growing strings community, are all invited to come.”
The koha donation for entry would go to new music for the youth orchestra, said Paull.
