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Music Director Emeritus - Auckland Symphony Orchestra

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Musical Stories for Children Vol 2 CD cover
New CD released in May 2012 by Viscount Records and distributed by ODE.

Two new CD releases

President, Primus Ikaalinen TV Show competition, Finland
Gary representing New Zealand, as the President of the six-member International
Jury, at the famous, Primus Ikaalinen TV Show competition, which is part of the
Sata-Hame Soi Accordion Festival in Ikaalinen, Finland. June 2011


Gary and high-ranking dignitaries at the Cao Jun Art Museum opening, Wuxi, China,
where Gary was a VIP guest speaker. May 2011

2010 Carols Concert
Carols 2010, Auckland Town Hall, Auckland Symphony Orchestra with Combined Pacific Island Church Choirs, conducted by Gary Daverne.

For CD Track Listings and Sound Samples

RECENT AWARDS

Music Director Emeritus

Certificate presented in March 2011
Music Director Emeritus Gary Daverne

Benny Award

On Wednesday evening, 27 October 2010, at the Pump House on Auckland's North Shore, Gary, was recipient of the prestigious 'Benny' award, the highest honour that can be awarded to any entertainer in New Zealand.

Benny Award







benny award












The 'Benny', awarded each year from the Variety Artists Club (VAC), is for services to entertainment in the fields of Music, Musical Theatre, Acting and Film and is awarded to an entertainer or someone in the industry who has excelled or contributed to the industry above the "norm".

This major award is named after a famous NZ magician Edgar Benyon who received the first award in 1969.

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Companion of North Shore City

Companion of North Shore City Presentation - Mayor & Gary Daverne

Mayor of North Shore City Andrew William presenting the Companion of North Shore City Award to Gary Daverne ONZM. This prestigious award was presented on the 14th September 2010, 'for exceptional service to the North Shore Community benefiting present and future generations of the Auckland region'.
Companion of North Shore City certificate
This is very special and occasional award and not awarded on an annual basis.

To view other awards click here

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Photos from 14 November 2010 Free Family Concert, Auckland Town Hall

Gary Daverne Announcing
Gary Daverne announcing to the audience.
Angelina & Gabriella Witten-Hannah
Identical twins, soprano's Angelina & Gabriella Witten-Hannah in concert.
Gary Daverne congratulating Angelina & Gabriella Witten-Hannah
Gary congratulating the twins Angelina & Gabriella.

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'Last Night of the Proms 2010' at the Bruce Mason Centre - Takapuna - Auckland

2010 Last Night at the Proms
The Auckland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne with the Auckland
Symphony Chorus conducted by Peter Thomas
2010 Last Night of the Proms
The Auckland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne with the Doran
Gregory Irish Dancers.
Last Night of the Proms
The Auckland Symphony Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne with Pipe Major
Kerry Ballantyne and the City of Sails Pipe Band.

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Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships, Bruce Mason Centre, North Shore City
25-29 August 2009

Stephanie Poole & the Auckland Symphony Orchestra
Stephanie Poole performing with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra (ASO)
performing Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla at the Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna.
New Zealand Accordion Orchestra conducted by Gary Daverne
New Zealand Accordion Orchestra (NZAO) - Conducted by Gary Daverne
performing
Invercargill March by Alex Lithgow
New Zealand in Song arranged by Gary Daverne
Musical Party by Gary Daverne (dedicated to Silvio De Pra)
at the Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna.
World Accordion Orchestra III
Conducting the World Accordion Orchestra III at the 2009 Coupe Mondiale World Accordion Championships, 147 accordionists from 14 nations.
World Accordion Orchestra III
World Accordion Orchestra III
World Accordion Orchestra III conducted by Gary Daverne. This photo was published as a centre-fold in the Finnish Accordion Institute Magazine.

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November 2009 concert, Auckland Town Hall
Gary Daverne in concert with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, Auckland Town Hall, November 2009.

Auckland Symphony Orchestra
2009 Christmas Carols concert with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and the Combined Pacific Island Church Choirs, conducted by Gary Daverne played to a capacity audience at the Auckland Town Hall.

Santa
Santa wanted to take over, but Gary wasn't too keen!

Auckland
Gary slinks offstage while Santa 'takes over'

REVIEW

'Last Night of the Proms'

Bruce Mason Centre - Takapuna
20/21st June 2009

I did not go to The Last Night of the Proms with any thought of writing a review, so I took no notes but just threw myself into the whole occasion, together with the rest of the boisterous sell-out audience - with the result that my mind is a blur, having been battered into submission by the barrage of music and humour, once again concocted by Musical Director, Gary Daverne for his Auckland Symphony Orchestra and the North Shore 100 Voice Chorale and Friends.

Frankly, everyone seems to be 'doing' Last Night of the Proms these days, but none like the ASO. Whilst there was the usual sprinkling of patriotic numbers such as 'I Vow to the My Country', 'There'll Always Be An England' and 'Flower of Scotland', it was like no other Last Night that I've ever been to. Indeed until the final quarter-hour or so one could be forgiven for thinking that one was at a cross between the Royal Command Performance and the Crazy Gang.

The Orchestra was, of course, it fine fettle and Gary at his most effervescent, while the Choir, shadow conducted by Peter Thomas, entered wholeheartedly into the mischievous spirit of things. To attempt a musical critique, particularly as a non-musician in my own case, would be to miss much of point of the afternoon.

The audience, many bedecked in flags, tinsel wigs, fancy dress and painted faces, and armed with hooters and streamers, know what to expect on these occasions, this the ninth consecutive year. They were duly treated to a succession of splendid and, in some cases, unlikely cameo features.

The evergreen Max Cryer was as immaculate and humourous as ever with his 'Little List' from the Mikado, accordionist Tracy Collins kept the pace going with some Irish sing along numbers and her impish, virtuoso playing, while pianist, Deryn Trainer gave a fine rendition of 'The Eve of Destruction' from 'War of the Worlds' and an Elton John selection.

Surely a Proms' audience have never been confronted (or do I mean affronted?) by such an outrageous 'Sweet Transvestite', Keith Adams, brilliantly portraying the hit number from the musical, 'The Rocky Horror Show'. Soprano, Louise Malloy eventually brought us back to sanity, leading the audience in the traditional 'Rule Britannia'.

Gary Daverne is a master at putting an entirely fresh show together each year - everything from Gilbert & Sullivan and 'Lord of the Dance' with the dazzling Irish Dancers to 'Starlight Express' and 'The Dambusters March' - not forgetting 'Highland Cathedral' and 'Scotland the Brave' by the City of Sails Pipe Band. Next time Gary, warn the audience that you are going to play 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and we'll all bring our scarves!

It was a wonderful afternoon's entertainment from beginning to end, but my lasting impression will be of the final ten minutes when the balloons descended from the ceiling, the hooters, streamers and poppers were let off at full force, the audience were on their feet, and the whole theatre was one huge party - what a crescendo of colour, sound and sheer exuberance!

BOB DAVIS
June 2009


Gary with Tracey Collins, the Auckland Symphony Orchestra and the 100 Voice North Shore Chorale


Last Night of the Proms finale.



Earlier Reviews


Earlier Reviews

A review of the concert featuring the Auckland Symphony Orchestra with Dame Malvia Major by the Rodney Times is now available to view.

View the full review here

 
 

China Tour 2007


The following is a report from CCTV after the orchestra's first concert in Beijing

The Auckland Symphony believes "Music should be fun and enjoyed by players and audiences alike." It clearly demonstrated that philosophy at its Chinese debut at Beijing's Century Theater on Saturday afternoon. The concert raised money for students in the poverty-stricken areas of China.

Auckland Symphony enjoys a loyal following and fine reputation for its performances of popular classics and film music. Their repertoire features the theme from the blockbuster "Lord of the Ring," which was shot in New Zealand.

It's said music knows of no boundary. It's the perfect bridge to unite people from different cultures, language and background. The Auckland Symphony Orchestra brought that friendship and good will to China. The Chinese love song "The Moon Speaks For My Heart" is a good example.

Beijing is the first of three charity concerts. The others are in Shanghai, and Shijiazhuang to raise money for the "Mountain Flower Project," which helps children in poverty-stricken areas of China get an education.


Gary conducting the Auckland Symphony Orchestra
Shanghai, China 2007

The Auckland Symphony is one of the most popular orchestras in New Zealand. Founded in 1975, it features over eighty players from all parts of Auckland, and from all walks of life, including a number of professional musicians as well as talented amateurs. They play purely for the pleasure of making wonderful music together.
 


American solo accordionist, Mary Tokarski, in rehearsal with the ASO, at the Auckland Town Hall 20 November 2005.
Conductor, Gary Daverne.
The Auckland Symphony is 30 years old.

 

12 year old Korean, solo pianist Jason Bae, with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra conductor Gary Daverne. Amalia Hall (17) in concert with the Auckland Symphony Orchestra, conductor Gary Daverne. Auckland Town Hall, 6 August 2006.
 

Sing Along Christmas Concert, Auckland Symphony Orchestra, conductor Gary Daverne, massed combined choirs and soloists.
Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE.
 
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