At Channel Mag we love supporting music and performing arts. This month for our cover feature we caught up with members of the Auckland Symphony Orchestra (ASO) to find out about their 50 Year Jubilee and the significance of the wildly fun 'Last Night Of The Proms’ performance in their annual calendar. As part of this feature, we also put some questions to Will Martin, who will perform and MC this year’s event at the Bruce Mason Centre on the weekend of June 28th and 29th.
50 years of the ASO is a big milestone! As a collective, what are you most proud of?
We are proud of so many things! As we celebrate our 50th year, we’re filled with pride at the ongoing legacy built by members past and present. It’s not just the music we play that makes this orchestra so special, but the friendships formed, and the joy of creating something meaningful together.
Since its inception in 1975, the Auckland Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has become an integral part of the cultural infrastructure of our city. Our main philosophy is that music should be enjoyable and accessible for all - musicians and audience members alike - hence the regular, free community concerts.
Our players are drawn from all walks of life and from all parts of Auckland, and beyond. The 80 Orchestra members play together without payment. The continued dedication, passion and commitment of all involved, enables us, year after year, to deliver on our mission ‘to enrich the lives of people of all ages through live performances of popular and accessible orchestral music’. We hope to be doing so for another 50 years!
How did the ASO start?
The orchestra was founded as the result of a 30th anniversary reunion in 1975 of players from the Auckland Junior Symphony Orchestra, known today as the Auckland Youth Orchestra. The name was changed from “The Music Players of Auckland”, to the “Auckland Symphony Orchestra” when it became an Incorporated Society in 1979.
In the beginning years, the orchestra performed free Sunday afternoon concerts for family and friends lasting a little over one hour. Filled with a selection of classical, film, show and popular music, these shows proved to be so successful that our programmes continue to be presented in much the same way today.
Has anyone been part of the orchestra since the beginning?
Believe it or not, some of our current players have been with the orchestra since day one. It’s an incredible milestone. They’ve been such a big part of the ASO’s journey, and we’re excited to celebrate everything they’ve contributed and everything they’ve taught us.
What makes ‘The Last Night Of The Proms’ special compared to other concerts in your season?
The event is known for its vibrant and informal atmosphere. The best things about the Last Night of the Proms are the unique combination of musical styles, the sense of deeply embedded tradition and our enthusiastic audience. They wave flags, throw balloons and join in for loud, emphatic renditions of “Land of Hope and Glory” and “Rule, Britannia!” And this year we are excited to be expanding the repertoire to include a touch of modern music from British icons like Elton John and The Beatles. We can’t wait for our audiences to hear the full ASO orchestra perform their British pop favourites!
Who will be conducting the orchestra this year?
A regular guest conductor with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, we are delighted to be welcoming Emma Featherstone back to the podium again this year. Emma is the Director of Music at King’s College and has a depth of conducting experience from around the world. She’s composed for festivals in Turkey and China and has conducted shows for Synthony and Play It Strange. One of her most recent gigs was with Sir Bob Geldolf and Fleetwood Mac. We are honoured to be sharing the stage with her again this year.
Are there any particular pieces that are special to perform, and why?
Some pieces are particularly special because of the tradition, emotional impact, and unique atmosphere surrounding their performance. A few that spring to mind are ‘Nimrod’ from Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations, ‘Highland Cathedral’ by Ulrich Roewer / Michael Korb, and traditional anthems such as Rodgers & Hammerstein’s ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’.
The energy from the audience during these traditional pieces and the sing-alongs, creates a unique feedback loop between us and them. This level of interaction is rare in most classical concerts and is really special to be a part of.
What is it about the Bruce Mason Centre that makes it perfect for your PROMS event?
We have a well-established history of hosting Last Night of the Proms at the Bruce Mason Centre. It’s large enough to accommodate our 1000+ lively audience, but it still has the feel of an intimate theatre setting. We’ve been told in past years that the audience feels very immersed in the performance. The vibe in the room gets really infectious, so we’re back at the Bruce Mason this June. I mean, why change a good thing?!
Are you inviting any guest artists to join you on stage this year?
Yes! We’re very excited to be sharing the stage with acclaimed recording artist and entertainer Will Martin. Will is renowned for his engaging performance style and expressive voice across multiple musical genres. We know he’s going to be a great addition in 2025. And once again, we are delighted to be joined by a combined choir comprising Harbour Voices, Vocālis, the City of Sails Pipe Band, and the Auckland Regional Highland Dance Company; four long-established entities who have a history of performing with ASO for this special event.
Will Martin, who’s on our cover for this issue, is obviously involved with PROMS this year. He’s a born and bred Shore lad. We were keen to find out what’s he’s been up to in the years since he left the North Shore to launch an international singing career.
Will, you are most well-known for performing big, patriotic pieces at international events. Can you share some highlights from the last decade?
Will Martin: Yes, there have been a few. In 2013, I accepted an invitation to headline the Basel Military Tattoo in Switzerland. With hundreds of performers from dozens of nations, performing for thousands every night, it is a truly magnificent spectacle, and one I’ve been lucky enough to repeat twice more since my 2013 debut.
Closer to home, I will always be up early on April 25th to sing at an ANZAC Day dawn service, wherever I am in the world. In 2019, His Royal Highness Prince William attended Auckland’s Memorial Service and I was asked to present ‘Requiem for a Soldier’, the theme from Steven Spielberg’s 'Band Of Brothers'. It’s very special to pay tribute to the world’s servicemen and women, past and present.
Has your perspective on performing changed since working overseas?
I think so. As I’ve travelled the world, I feel I’ve learnt the importance of being an entertainer, maybe more so than simply being a singer or piano man. People in every country attend live performances to escape for a few hours, and it’s my job to engage and entertain them entirely. To take them out of their everyday and help them to unwind and laugh and maybe even sing a little. Most of my audiences want to hear music they know and love and for a lot of them the timeless classics of the 60s, 70s and 80s remain their favourites. Taking the audience on a walk down memory lane at an event like The Last Night of the Proms is going to be such an honour.
How do you balance the demands of travel, rehearsals, and performing while maintaining vocal health?
If I’m being honest, this is one of the hardest parts of my job. Sometimes I might have two or three back-to-back flights, early mornings, lack of sleep, time-differences, air-conditioning. It can be incredibly stressful when your health isn’t entirely in your control … and my vocal health is my whole job. It’s tricky to 'call in sick' to ticketed events! But one thing I worked on during my 2-year COVID hiatus from international work, was to consciously take a minute to enjoy each performance a bit more. Allowing myself to mentally let go of some of the pressure goes a long way to staying physically healthy. And I believe now I’m a better performer for it.
What draws you to a particular role or concert opportunity?
There can be many motivators, but typically the most attractive projects for me are the ones where I feel I can deliver a really good performance, but will also be challenged. I have also accepted jobs purely based on who I get to work with. It’s amazing how much you can learn in a short space of time from the right person.
How did this collaboration with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra for Last Night of the Proms come about?
I worked with the ASO for the first time 10 years ago and since then we’ve kept in touch. Towards the end of last year, I let them know I would be based in New Zealand through the winter months of 2025 … I’m stoked that the seed I planted came to fruition. There’s nothing better than taking the stage with a full orchestra!
There’s always a celebratory energy at Proms concerts — how will you approach this type of performance differently to other performances?
Well I’m not sure if I’m allowed to tell you this yet, but in addition to singing at the PROMS I am actually the MC of this year's event, and I have every intention of coming at it with the pomp and panache the show deserves.
The ASO is celebrating 50 years, and this is your twentieth year working as a professional performer. If you could go back to your Takapuna Grammar self and tell him something you’ve learnt, what would it be?
Great question. I reckon there’d be FOUR things… 1. Don’t spend everything you earn flying business class. One day you might wanna buy a house in Auckland. 2. Take up yoga. 3. Invest in some face masks. 4. If you get asked to sing the national anthem for the All Blacks in Chicago, against Ireland, don’t be surprised if Ireland rewrites history and you lose “your” perfect record. I promise, you’ll get through it!
Don’t miss The Last Night Of The Proms - Best Of British – Saturday 28 & Sunday 29 June, 2025,
Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna.
Tickets from Ticketmaster.co.nz
