About Us
We are currently looking for some new players – particularly upper strings. If you’d like to join the orchestra, please contact us to check availability of places – we’d love to hear from you.
We are compiling a database of people interested in our future concerts, so please contact us if you'd like to have your name added.
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Resonance Ensemble was formed in February 2012, and is now firmly established as an integral part of the musical landscape of Christchurch and beyond. Recognised as a high-quality, innovative and flexible orchestral ensemble, Resonance provides opportunities for musicians and audiences to experience both popular and novel repertoire beyond the more standard fare offered by Christchurch’s only fully professional orchestra. Programmes range from music for chamber orchestra, works for larger ensemble, and New Zealand compositions, including new commissions.
The orchestra rehearses weekly, presenting three or four concerts per year, and works primarily with Christchurch-based conductors and soloists. Recent conductors have included Tony Ryan, Helen Renaud and Anthony Ferner.
Our 2021 concert dates are 3pm Sunday 18 April at the Rangiora Town Hall, followed by 3 concerts at the Piano, Sundays at 3pm, on 4 July, 26 September, and 28 November. We look forward to presenting wonderful and innovative programmes for our growing and appreciative audience.
Diary the dates now, and thanks for your support.
Our next concert:
Song and Dance - Conductor: Helen Renaud
Sunday 18 April, 3pm, Rangiora Town Hall
Join us on a trip through time as we explore the influence of songs and dances on composers of orchestral music.
Come along and enjoy well-known 20th century works, including Astor Piazzolla’s haunting slow tango Oblivion, arranged for strings, the lively Romanian Dances by Bela Bartok and Malcolm Arnold’s English Dances (set II) for wind ensemble.
Travel back to the 17th century as our brass quintet plays a selection of 5 dances from the Terpsichore collection written by German composer Michael Praetorius.
Listen as the orchestra divides into smaller chamber groups and then comes together to perform Mozart’s famous Symphony No. 40 in G minor.
Conductor: Helen Renaud
Christchurch bassoonist, saxophonist and conductor, Helen Renaud has been the HOD of Music at Burnside High School, where she now works part time. She studied bassoon at the Wellington Conservatorium of Music, and Music History at the University of Victoria, before receiving her teaching qualification. In 2009 she graduated with a Masters in Music from the University of Melbourne, where she focused on conducting. It was here that she was taught by the late Professor John Hopkins OBE, and Richard Gill OAM. In 2018 Helen graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Doctorate in Musical Arts, looking at rehearsal techniques for high school and youth ensembles.
Helen was appointed to the role of Conductor of the University of Canterbury, Christchurch Youth Orchestra in 2016. She also conducts the Burnside High School Orchestra and Junior Concert band, and is a free-lance conductor around Christchurch. Helen also plays baritone saxophone with the All Girl Big Band, where she is one of the founding members.