About Blueskin Bay Orchestra

Conceived by and run under the conductorship of Emily Sterk, the Blueskin Bay Orchestra

have been playing together since July 2022.

Once a week, an enjoyable repertoire of pieces including those composed by Shostakovich, Mozart, Piazzolla, Handel, Puccini, Beethoven, Sibelius, and even Simon & Garfunkel have been gracing the walls of the Warrington Waiputai hub.

The orchestra is open to anyone who is keen and can play a tune or two on their instrument. It is currently made up of strings (violin, cello, double bass, and electric bass), woodwinds (flute, piccolo, clarinet, and bassoon), and piano. They would love a brass section, so if you have a trumpet, trombone, horn, or tuba hiding in your wardrobe, please contact them!

The playing members come from a variety of backgrounds and have varying musical experience. Some have played in orchestras for years, others with a folk music background, still others coming from bands, and a few who are playing in an ensemble for the first time.

The conductor, Emily Sterk, plays the clarinet with the Dunedin Symphony Orchestra and wanted to offer the experience to others.

"Playing in an orchestra is my happy place. I’m so lucky to have had the opportunities I’ve had, and I love giving others the chance to experience that joy. And just in case I’m sounding too altruistic, I’ll admit that it’s also heaps of fun for me. I don’t have a lot of experience conducting so we’re all learning together.”

When asked what their members enjoy about playing in the orchestra, the consensus was that making music together is the highlight:

“Orchestra is the ultimate team activity.”

“How special and rewarding to have our very own orchestra in our special place - Blueskin Bay! It is a privilege to come together to make music with people and have music 'tailor-made' just for us."

“I love orchestra. Great fun and such a great reason to wake up skills from hibernation. Emily is patient and encouraging with everyone and is full of quirky humour.”

“For me, it's all about playing in a group. I might add that Emily’s patience, humour, tact and musicality are a wonderful bonus!”

“One Violin absolutely loves to play with her betters who mask her odd screeches & she’s extremely joyful when she hits with the right note & tempo!”

In December 2022, the BBO held their first publicly attended event, performing alongside the Waitati Warblers and the East Otago Orchestra for a Christmas-themed afternoon at the Waiputai Hub.

This was a great success, and as a result, the BBO is hoping to put on some further events, including a Spring concert on October 1st and a local Christmas carols gathering in mid-December. Both concerts will be free and family-friendly with opportunities for the kids to check out the instruments, and we’d love lots of keen carolers to join us for our own Carols at the Hub.

If you are interested in joining the orchestra, drop Emily an email at blueskinbayorchestra@gmail.com or come along to one of their rehearsals at the Waiputai Hub on a Sunday Afternoon 4-6pm to see if it’s your thing. Article originally published by Blueskin News in August 2023. Source.