Meet the Orchestra

About Us

Since 1993, Manukau Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has developed a rich and trusted presence in the heart of South Auckland.  Here, we offer a centuries-old musical art form to a multi-cultural community of young and old – a community of musicians, schools, audiences, businesses and all their whānau.

From the beginning, we’ve fostered a culture of inclusion that welcomes all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities and genders.  And this extends to how we play together too. 

The MSO offers a unique artistic and learning journey through its Tuakana Mentorship Programme, where professional or community, young or old, help one another to become their best self through teamwork and performance. ‘Tuakana Mentorship’ is borrowed and adapted from the Māori tuakana-teina, brother-sister mentoring model. Over the years, we’ve found it to be an incredibly successful and empowering practice, and we think you will too. 

Read more below about how our orchestra is structured and who some of our stars are, or click through to our video page to watch some wonderful professional recordings. 

Uwe Grodd, Music Director

Uwe Grodd’s contributions to classical music have brought him considerable international acclaim as conductor, flautist, editor and teacher. In 1997 he joined Naxos Records as

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Join the Orchestra

With over 150 players regularly playing with the Manukau Symphony Orchestra in 2024, it’s hard to believe we started out in a local hall in Papatoetoe in 1993 with less than half that number. 

MSO musicians now have the opportunity to play in four main concerts each year at Manukau’s Due Drop Events Centre and workshops at Te Tuhi in Pakuranga. In both 2023 and 2024, we have played with rave reviews in the Auckland Town Hall with first, Michael Houstoun and then Auckland Opera Studio. 

Being part of MSO is being part of a mentoring, diverse and welcoming community. If you’d like to join us, we’d love to hear more from you. 

Acknowledging your service to MSO

We acknowledge those who have served our orchestra for over 25 Years:

Uwe Grodd | Founder, Music Director and Conductor
Terry Spragg MNZM | Founder, Life Member & Former Co-ordinator
Anne Esterman | Violin, Musician & Former Administrator
John Jensen | Horn, Musician
Loata Mahe | Violin, Musician
Ellen Skinner | Violin, Musician
Ella & Jim Donald | Supporters

We acknowledge those who have served our orchestra for over 20 Years:

Jane Wright | Concert Master & Violin Leader
Godfrey Hansen | Violin, Musician
Eleanor James | Cello, Musician
Barbara Jackson | Viola, Musican
Judith Ling | Violin, Musician
Andrea McCracken | Cello, Musician
Peter Wedde | Viola, Musician
Susan Wedde | Viola, Musician