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NZYSW 2022/2023

Click here for more details and to register/audition for the 2024/2025 season.

New Zealand Youth Symphonic Winds is the premiere youth concert band in Aotearoa and is part of NZCBA’s National Bands Programme. 

Along with other national representative youth projects, the NZYSW plays a critical role in the development of young Kiwis. This ensemble brings the best secondary school wind, brass, and percussion students together in the ultimate show of musical collaboration and development. NZYSW meets twice a year in an intensive rehearsal/coaching/concert schedule, with tutoring and mentoring from some of the music industry’s leading educators and performers. 

New Zealand Youth Symphonic Winds aims to foster youth music making, and is centred around core aims of enabling, developing and empowering youth musical development in Aotearoa. NZYSW provides the opportunity for players from all backgrounds, and corners of the country, to flourish, engage with other outstanding young players, and to gain access to top professionals in the field. NZYSW is committed to being a diverse, safe and inclusive environment, to which players are encouraged to bring their complete selves. All participants are required to agree to our Code of Conduct. 

Now in its 11th year, New Zealand Youth Symphonic Winds, an initiative of New Zealand Concert Bands Association, is Aotearoa’s national representative ensemble for young concert band players. 

Our Music Director is Jono Palmer and we are very pleased to announce that he will be joining us for the 2023/24 season. 

Membership is for one season and entry is by competitive audition. Each season includes 2 week-long intensive courses, one in winter (July) and one in the following summer (January). 

“Coming from a smaller town, being in the NZYSW was an opportunity to see a wider world of music at a higher level, and the experience was everything I wanted it to be and more.”

Bella Anderson, NZYSW alumna

NZYSW gratefully acknowledges Pub Charity Ltd., Southern Trust Ltd., Bethlehem Coachlines Ltd., as well as the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra for past sponsorship and support.

Please see highlights below from the 2022 winter intensive in Christchurch. The 2022/2023 season’s Summer intensive took place in Tauranga. Highlights follow shortly. If you are interested in joining the band for the 2024/2025 season, please sign up via this form: https://forms.office.com/r/fJZ3ZJU0s9