2026 schedule
Youth Philharmonic Tauranga (YPT) is excited looking forward to an awesome 10th(ish) year!
We've got a great set of concerts and brilliant orchestral music planned and are looking forward to pursuing excellence and having a great time together.
- First rehearsal: Wednesday February 11th 7pm-9pm, 10 Yatton St
- Registrations for Term 1 open until March 3rd
- First concert: Saturday March 28th morning - at Bayfair (TBC)
Term 1 Repertoire:
- Grainer - Dr. Who theme
- Menken – Beauty and the Beast
- Wagner - Ride of the Valkyries
- Pasek&Paul - Music from "The Greatest Showman"
Important dates for later in the year:
TERM 2 - Rehearsals Apr 22nd - June 24th – Conductor William McElwee
Concert - Saturday June 27th (Venue and date TBC)
TERM 3 - Rehearsals July 22nd - September 16th - Conductor William McElwee
Concert - Saturday September 19th (TBC)
TERM 4 - December workshop
5&6 December - 10-4pm -Waikato University Campus
To register:
- Current players: email info@ypt.co.nz and let us know you're coming!
- New players: Fill in the registration form on the Registration page
If you are interested in helping out with the organisation of YPT, please contact us (form below). We can always use an extra pair of hands!
Don't hesitate to contact us for more information about YPT, or indeed anything related to classical music: we're always happy to help.
The YPT team
About the YPT
After being without a youth orchestra for two decades, Tauranga saw the birth of the Youth Philharmonic Tauranga during a symphonic workshop in October 2016 under conductor Justus Rozemond. Highlights of our time since include joint concerts with the Bay of Plenty Symphonia in 2024 at Holy Trinity Churchand in 2018 at the Performing Arts Centre of Otumoetai College, and participating in a weekend camp with three other youth orchestras of the North Island in 2019.
Each year we:
- Rehearse weekly to learn classical music together and learn how to play in an orchestra
- Have at least two well-attended concerts per year, mostly at the Graham Young Youth Theatre
- Organise yearly summer workshop weekends for current and prospective players
- Attend a concert by NZSO, typically in Hamilton, to experience the sensation of a large professional symphony orchestra
The Music Director and main conductor in 2025 is William McElwee
Information for new players
The YPT holds weekly rehearsals on Wednesday evening 7-9pm, at the City Silver Band Room on 10 Yatton Street. See the registration page for more information about playing with YPT.
Contact Us
The presence of a youth orchestra in town is vital for the artistic health of Tauranga, so please support us in any way you can!
We REALLY, REALLY appreciate the support of our various sponsors:
William McElwee
YPT Music Director
2 October 2025