About Us

The Manukau Symphony Orchestra (MSO) is a community orchestra based in South Auckland, New Zealand. The orchestra presents a series of varied concerts annually to patrons from across Auckland at the Vodafone Events Centre. 

Established in 1993 as ‘Manukau’s orchestra’ with active support from the Manukau City Council and the Manukau community, the MSO has grown from a 22-piece ensemble to a full symphony orchestra with around 80 musicians.

The MSO traces its origins back to the 1970s, and the Howick Orchestra and the Howick-Pakuranga Youth Orchestra in the 1980s.

Through the orchestra’s unique ‘Players as Mentors’ programme and youth scholarship initiatives, the MSO is the only symphony orchestra in South Auckland able to present a full range of genres from established orchestral repertoire to 21st century works at a high standard.

Committed to the development of new music by New Zealand composers, the MSO has worked with, and/or commissioned new works by Chris Artley, Warwick Blair, Dorothy Buchanan, Claire Cowan, Gareth Farr, David Hamilton, Leonie Holmes, Philip Norman, John Rimmer, Anthony Ritchie, Eve de Castro-Robinson, Ahukaramu Charles Royal, David Grahame Taylor, Robin Toan, and more to date.

1993   Manukau Symphony Orchestra established.

1994   Music Director, Uwe Grodd, appointed. First concert at the Papatoetoe Town Hall.

1997   First scholarship awarded.

2000   First Symphonic Journey workshop.

2005   MSO performs at the opening of TelstraClear Pacific (now Vodafone Events Centre).

2006   First annual subscription series. First concert bus from Howick.

2013   20th anniversary. Beethoven Symphony No. 9 ‘Choral’ with Auckland Choral.

2018   25th anniversary. Handel Music for the Royal Fireworks with MSO alumni.

2021   Ihitai ‘Avei’a – Star Navigator collaboration with New Zealand Opera.

Manukau Symphony Orchestra is administered by Manukau Orchestral Society Incorporated — a registered charity.

Patrons: Sir Noel Robinson KNZM and Lady Robinson

Chairperson: Robbie Brown

Secretary: Agnes Harmath

Treasurer: Vanessa Tam

Music Director: Uwe Grodd

General Director: Shelley Robertson

Committee: Kate Candy, Alistair Greenwood, Jennifer Hsu, Olive Lai, Joy Liu

Hon. Ambassadors: Ella & Jim Donald

Administrator: Joy Liu

Funding Coordinator: Alistair Greenwood

Librarian: Ann Whitehouse

Orchestra & Stage: Russell Finnemore