Hundreds of Aucklanders Unite as the City's Biggest Band at Auckland Philharmonia's Annual Free Community Bash

Published: Tuesday 12 August 2025

 

On Sunday 10 August, Auckland Philharmonia’s Community Bash event brought together over 300 musicians and singers of all ages and skill levels in the Auckland Town Hall for a fun, free afternoon of music-making. The event culminated in an epic combined public performance of Beethoven’s ‘Hallelujah’ chorus, a fitting finale to this celebration of music and community togetherness in Tāmaki Makaurau.

The Community Bash kicked off with the impressive sight of an estimated 210 community instrumentalists, alongside Auckland Philharmonia’s professional musicians, taking their seats in a massive orchestra that filled the stalls and stage areas of the Auckland Town Hall.

Led by conductor David Kay, the musicians of all ages and skill levels rehearsed together excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s evocative Romeo & Juliet Fantasy-Overture. The orchestra were then joined by 90 community singers, directed by choral conductor, Vanessa Kay, to rehearse Beethoven’s stirring Christ on the Mount of Olives: 'Hallelujah'. 

After two hours of rehearsals, the doors were opened to the public audience of friends and whānau to watch the immense final combined performance.

“The Community Bash is our free annual event that gives anyone who plays an instrument or sings the opportunity to perform alongside other community musicians and our professional players,” says Miriam McCombe, Auckland Philharmonia’s Learn & Participate Programme Manager.

“There was such incredible energy in the hall as hundreds of people from all walks of life connected through their shared passion for music. More than just a fun afternoon of music-making, this event plays an important role in building a sense of belonging and togetherness in our community.”

This year’s Community Bash was delivered thanks to the support of Four Winds Foundation, Foundation North, the Maurice Paykel Charitable Trust, Auckland Live and the orchestra’s core funders Auckland Council, Creative NZ and Foundation North.

This initiative is one of the many free or low-cost events that the orchestra offers through the Auckland Philharmonia’s Learn & Participate programme, which provides concerts and experiences that bring together the orchestra’s professional musicians with communities, schools, and individuals across Tāmaki Makaurau. Find out more about upcoming Learn & Participate events and programmes at aucklandphil.nz