It could be Mozart or Metallica so local musicians should “come out and play”, as fun will be central to the new Bannockburn Community Orchestra.

Founder Anna-Maree Morris wants to grow Central’s music community and hopes to present a variety of music through the community orchestra including traditional classical music, soundtracks and film themes, adaptations of modern jazz, pop, rock, funk, and ska.

“There are many talented people in our community, and there is room to create a network and community where we can meet, play, create performances [for] the public at the [Bannockburn] Hall and to take into the community to events,’’ she said.

“[I hope] to provide an educational space also for musicians to have contact with visiting musicians, and workshops with . . . teachers in their disciplines, not always available here due to our distance from the cities.”

The plan was to bring performances to the public in the second half of 2025 and use Bannockburn Hall as BCO’s base, Anna-Maree said.

“[An] amazing Steinway grand piano… resides [in the Bannockburn Hall]. 

‘’A truly beautiful instrument that is mostly used by touring musicians that perform at the hall, so it is only used a few times a year.

“Having been a working musician and in my conversations with those who have already approached me to join, it is apparent that having fun is going to be vital to this endeavour being a success. 

‘’So, you might hear some Mozart, Kate Bush, John Williams, Hanz Zimmer, Miles Davis, Metallica, System of a Down . . . and we would love to put together a list of Kiwi favourites of course.”

Bannockburn Community Orchestra still needs Central Lakes players of violin, viola, cello, double bass, percussion/drums, piano and people who might not play traditional orchestral instruments.

Already there has been interest from musicians playing piano, brass, woodwind, guitars, strings and vocalists. 

“We would like players to know their instrument to around grade five level and above so that they are confident in taking on the music set.” 

Along with playing as an orchestra the group may break into smaller groups and play paid gigs for local and corporate audiences. 

Musical advancement and collaboration opportunities for intermediate to senior level musicians and soloists would hopefully flow from relationships with other

groups from outside of Bannockburn, she said.

As well as players, Anna-Maree was looking for sponsors and partners to help with funding for music stands, licensed music purchase and rental, and helping them to create a legal identity. 

Anna-Maree thanked Arts Central and the Bannockburn Hall Committee for their support to provide a rehearsal space. 

Growing up in a musical family in Southland led Anna-Maree to a career as a music teacher, composer and performer.

“I enjoyed playing piano from a young age – by ear as well as sitting my Trinity College classical exams, and as I went into my 20s moving to Queenstown in the 1990s I sat teaching papers and worked as a private music teacher in Queenstown – piano mostly, as well as other rock instruments. 

“I also worked around Queenstown performing solo, duo and band work in pubs, clubs and corporate events.”

She has done musical theatre work, and still does some session recording for overseas companies from her home studio.

Her work as a composer is of light classical music, sand sold into NZ/Australia ballet schools and early childhood centres in the 2010s.

The first meeting of the Bannockburn Community Orchestra is at 3pm on Sunday, November 24 at the Bannockburn Hall, and fortnightly from them.

For more information contact music director Anna-Maree Morris on 021 204 4687. You can express your interest by completing the online form here