Open Doors

Open Doors fills Auckland Town Hall with a full day of free music-making, centred on the National Youth Orchestra and NZSO musicians. The programme opens with two Tamariki Time concerts in the Concert Chamber for children aged 3–7: an interactive show with music and a live storytelling session from Animateur Chris Lam Sam, followed by a Relaxed Concert designed with neurodivergent children and their families in mind. The relaxed session keeps lighting effects minimal, welcomes noise and movement, offers a chill-out space, and invites NZ Sign Language applause — a pre-concert guide sets out exactly what to expect on the day. Both concerts are free.

Later in the afternoon, the Orchestra Jam opens the Concert Chamber to players of orchestral instruments of any age, who run through a selection of pieces — including a Wicked medley and the Minecraft Movie's "I Feel Alive" — alongside NZSO musicians. Participants need to register to receive the sheet music in advance.

The day closes with simultaneous NZSO Foundation masterclasses: cello with Ken Ichinose and percussion with Leonard Sakofsky, both held in the Town Hall. Free tickets are required as spaces are limited.