The music of Verdi, Bruch and Beethoven will grace the Whitianga Town Hall with the return of the Auckland Youth Orchestra this October.

The Auckland Youth Orchestra will play the Whitianga Town Hall on October 5. Photos: Auckland Youth Orchestra.

Hosted by Creative Mercury Bay, the event is part of AYO's Destiny Tour and features Verdi's ‘The Force of Destiny (Overture)', Bruch's ‘Violin Concerto No. 1' and Beethoven's ‘Symphony No. 5'.

The performance will be conducted by musical director Auntun Poljavich and stars 2013 AYO soloist competition winner and violinist Jim Wu, who will perform Bruch's violin concerto.

CMB chair Jan Wright says this will be the sixth time AYO has visited Whitianga and it promises to be 'an afternoon of utter delight”.

'The Auckland Youth orchestra have said that Whitianga is always a warm and generous audience so they love playing for us and we love to hear them play.

'They are the only full orchestra we have visit Whitianga and they have come annually for the last six years. The town hall is always absolutely chock-a-block with people.”

Founded in 1948 the AYO is the premier regional youth orchestra in New Zealand and the first established in Australasia.

Designed to bridge the gap between school orchestras and adult professional groups, more than 2500 young adults have passed through its ranks since its inception.

Jim joined the AYO in 2009 and has won prizes in the annual Soloist Competition in each of the last three years, winning First Prize in 2013. He's played violin since the age of seven.

Later this year he will make his first professional solo appearance with Bach Musica in Bach's Concerto for Violin and Oboe.

'Jim's career illustrates just what an important role the AYO plays in the development of New Zealand's young artists.”

Jan says all proceeds from ticket sales, less direct costs, will go to the AYO and she's encouraging all classical music lovers to come support New Zealand's leading young musicians.

'It's a deeply rewarding experience for the orchestra to play for us and for us to enjoy the orchestra's music.

'So come down around 2pm for a good seat and a chat with other music lovers while you enjoy a pre-concert glass of wine from our cash bar.”

Creative Mercury Bay presents ‘Destiny' performed by the Auckland Youth Orchestra at the Whitianga Town Hall on Sunday, October 5, from 2.30pm to 4.30pm.

Tickets cost $20 for Adults, $15 for Seniors, $10 for Students, $5 for Children, $40 for Families, and are available from Whitianga Paper Plus. Door sales if not sold out.

For more information contact Creative Mercury Bay on 027 224 1927 or email [email protected]