• To foster in young musicians a life-long interest in orchestral music
• To provide training for young orchestral players
• To provide regular performance opportunities for these musicians

Orchestral Music in Palmerston North
Palmerston North's European beginnings date back to 1871. The Theatre Royal was erected circa 1875, on the western side of the City Square and extended through the block to the adjacent street. Prior to the formation of the Palmerston North Orchestral Society in 1894, there had existed a Philharmonic society "for the performance of glees and instrumental works", and a group which performed chamber music. These groups formed the nucleus of the Orchestral Society that presented two concerts each year in the Theatre Royal, and later, performed in the city’s Opera House for its opening gala in July 1905. Concerts continued to be given in the Opera House and copies of the programmes have been preserved in the City Archives.

A New Vision
The Orchestral Society went into recess in the early 1940's and Palmerston North no longer had a regular performing group. However by 1960, Len Schwabe, who was then the Head of the Music Department at Freyberg High School, was encouraging his pupils in orchestral playing. His vision for rebuilding a symphony orchestra by forming first a youth orchestra was submitted to the city's Public Relations Organisation. The Public Relations Office approved the suggestion in principle, and the forerunner of the Manawatu Youth Orchestra began operating in March 1961. Forty years later, in 2001, Palmerston North has three groups - The Manawatu Youth Orchestra, The Manawatu Sinfonia and the Saturday Morning Orchestra, an orchestral training orchestra.

The First Ten Years
In October 1961 thirty-three foundation members of the then Palmerston North Youth Orchestra presented an informal concert in the Freyberg High School hall. Suitable music was hard to obtain then, so the conductor often re-scored works thus ensuring that all players were given an opportunity to use their skills. Photocopiers were still some years away in those days and so all the parts for players had to written out by hand. By 1966 it was time to form a more advanced orchestra, and so the Manawatu Sinfonia began rehearsals with thirty players made up from graduates of the Youth Orchestra and other senior players from the city and surrounding districts. The first Sinfonia concert was given in April 1967. The first combined concert with both the Sinfonia and the new Youth Orchestra was presented in the city Opera House in October of the same year.

Reaching Maturity
Since 1986 guest conductors have been a feature of Sinfonia presentations and a number of local and national conductors have directed the orchestra in a variety of concerts. In 2001 the Sinfonia created an opportunity for local aspiring conductors to test their skills by directing the orchestra in several programmes.

Local choirs have combined with the Sinfonia to present several major choral works including Handel's Messiah, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Brahms' German Requiem and Bach's, Mass in B minor.

It has also been the policy of the society to give the orchestral members the opportunity to present solo concertos, and many have taken up this challenge.

Soloists of national standing have accepted invitations to be guest artists with the Sinfonia. These include Alex Lindsay, (violin) Anthea Moller (soprano), Barry Mora (baritone), Elsa Jensen (violin), Colleen Rae-Gerrard (piano), Rae de Lisle (piano), Brenton Veitch ('cello), Eugene Albulesco (piano), Margaret Medlyn (soprano), David Cox (horn), and Bruce Greenfield (piano).

For many years the Youth Orchestra has shared a concert with the Manawatu Youth Choir, with both groups presenting their separate programmes and combining for the final items.

Anniversary
To celebrate the society's 25th anniversary in 1986 the Society produced a book Manawatu Youth Orchestra, A History 1961-1986 (Jenny Brophy), which outlined the beginnings and the growth of the orchestras.

Concerts on a Larger Scale
In the 1990's a number of major concerts were undertaken, widening the scope of each year's programmes. In 1997 the Sinfonia presented a traditional Last Night at the Proms concert, with enthusiastic support from the P.N. Choral Society, Renaissance Singers and the Feilding Brass. This was a rousing success, with great audience participation, and led to an invitation to produce another Proms for the opening of the refurbished Regent Theatre in May 1998.

The following year (1999 ) a programme 100 Years of Hits hosted guests from local dance groups to enhance the popular musical items and the Millennium was celebrated with Proms 2000, again with the assistance of choirs and Feilding Brass.

Forty Years On
In the earlier years it was customary to present only two concerts each year but since 1987 this has increased to five concerts annually. The Youth Orchestra continues to provide valuable training for young musicians, with the Sinfonia giving them further experience as they develop their skills. Over 1000 players have been playing members during these 40 years. Many talented musicians have taken up professional positions in leading New Zealand and overseas orchestras. The Manawatu Sinfonia continues to fill a vital role in the cultural life of the city and continues the advancement of orchestral performance, which began in a small but enthusiastic way when the city was little more than a pioneer settlement.

Our Consitution
The Constitution outlines the rules and objectives of the Manawatu Youth Orchestra Incorporated Society.