Christchurch Symphony Orchestra
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is the largest professional orchestra in the South Island of New Zealand, based in the city of Christchurch. It was established in 1958 as the John Ritchie String Orchestra, due to the vision and encouragement of Christchurch composer John Ritchie. It was renamed the Christchurch Civic Orchestra four years later in 1962, and has used its current name since 1974.
Currently, the CSO has an established core of principal and tenured players with additional contracted casual players. The orchestra performs in over fifty concerts a year including performances for the Royal New Zealand Ballet, Southern Opera, Christchurch City Council events, the National Concerto Competition and the Adam International Cello Festival and Competition. The CSO repertoire presents a wide range of classical, pops and contemporary musical styles. The orchestra also works with primary and secondary schools throughout the South Island with its Community Engagement Programme.
The Chief Conductor since 2015 is the Australian conductor Benjamin Northey.
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