ENCHANTED WORLDS

Conductor: Athena Shiu

Concertmaster: Tony Hong-Che Wu

Presenter: Jayne Tankersley

Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra

Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts

30 August 2026

The annual Orchestras Central family-friendly concert took place in the concert chamber at Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts on Sunday. Titled Enchanting Worlds, the concert included works from six composers under the baton of Athena Shiu. Once again, Jayne Tankersley stepped up as the presenter to guide the audience through the proceedings. The premise was a magical concert “inspired by wizards, fairytales, and folk stories from around the world.” Attendees were encouraged to come dressed as their favourite fairytale character.

Once the various fairies, princesses, pirates, ballerinas, witches, wizards and even a crocodile were settled and the Trust Waikato Symphony Orchestra (“TWSO”) had tuned, Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Dance of the Tumblers commenced the programme. This sprightly and rhythmic choice kept all the players busy. This was followed by Sergei Prokofiev’s Andante espressivo, Movement III from Symphony No. 7. Tankersley asked the audience to listen for the exact moment the piece changed from dreamy to something more playful and this was a crafty way of ensuring everyone paid attention. The final piece in the Act One was Paul Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice made famous by Disney’s Fantasia featuring Mickey Mouse gradually losing control of a magic broom. TWSO was cohesive and impressive. Athena Shiu did an admirable job, and her energetic style was refreshing to watch.

Act Two began with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Valse from The Sleeping Beauty. The strings under the leadership of Tony Hong-Che Wu were utterly magnificent. Bravo!

This was followed by excerpts from the Peter Pan Suite by New Zealand composer Philip Norman. The Never Bird had some exceptional passages for the brass players. Tinkerbell Drinks the Poison allowed flutist Elsie Kane and oboe player Jordan Wise to demonstrate their expressiveness and technical skills. This section was completed with Entracte and Pirate’s Dance, and another dramatic and amusing piece. Shiu added to the fun by changing hats for each piece, the pirate hat being a highlight.

Igor Stravinsky’s Finale from The Firebird Suite completed the programme with a flourish. TWSO’s players sounded sensational in the glorious concert chamber.

During the concert, Tankersley introduced various sections of the orchestra in which leaders and occasionally other players showcased their instruments. Clarinetist Renee Kenyon’s Pink Panther tune was a crowd favourite, as was Malcolm Carmichael’s piccolo, and short pieces from tuba player Steve Webb, also Sue Lynn Leong and Ashleigh Smith on bassoon.

Last year’s concert was 40 minutes in duration and featured projected images. However, at 90 minutes including an interval and without any visual enhancements, Enchanted Worlds seemed to miss the mark for the little ones. Perhaps there is an opportunity for Orchestras Central to call for artwork submissions from children that can be played on rotation throughout? Shortening the programme and adding images would improve the experience for younger audience members.  

These family concerts provide opportunities for children to see and hear a symphony orchestra, and to learn something of theatre etiquette. However, there is no need to turn off your light-up star-shaped wand or stop grizzling, it’s all part of the experience, much to the amusement of adults. A classical and educational programme designed for kids in a worldclass concert chamber is a superb way to spend a Sunday.