Upbeat

Avondale College student Toby Barrett is a saxophonist, leads a band and likes to invest in shares. He's been recognised in the 2021 Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards, coming top in New Zealand for… Read more Audio

Composer Michael Williams is writing an opera which focuses on the global refugee crisis. Act One of 'D'ua (Prayer) for Broken Shelter' has had its first performance after a week of workshops in… Read more Audio

Manukau Symphony Orchestra's Music Director Uwe Grodd previews the 2021 season, opening this weekend with a concert featuring the orchestra's "most-loved soloist", pianist Michael Houstoun. Read more Audio

Restoration work on the Croft organ at St Andrew's on The Terrace in Wellington is complete. There's a concert this weekend to celebrate. Read more Audio

Period instrument ensemble NZ Barok are adding voices to the mix in their upcoming concert of works by Vivaldi and Corelli. Read more Audio

One of our most distinctive composers, Dame Gillian's work weaves classical music and te o Māori together across many forms, often incorporating taonga pūoro (Māori traditional instruments) Read more Video, Audio

Bass-baritone Jonathan Lemalu is back in New Zealand, and looking forward to a main-centres tour of masterclasses and concerts. Read more Audio

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's Music Director Giordano Bellincampi talks with Upbeat about the performing the  Beethoven symphony cycle. Read more Audio

Janet Jennings talks about her new CD and her love of poetry. Read more Audio

Christchurch choir Atlas Voices is performing the New Zealand premiere of Craig Hella Johnson's fusion oratorio 'Considering Matthew Shepard'. Choir member James Mountstevens talks about performing… Read more Audio

In an upbeat conclusion to our Brass Week, Nick Tipping talks to Ben Hunt and Daniel Hayles from Wellington's New Orleans-style brass band, the Richter City Rebels. Read more Video, Audio

With the strength of her Tongan and family brass tradition behind her, Linda Filimoehala is an (almost) fearless soloist, band leader and teacher in her community. Read more Video, Audio